Psychic Numbing Might Explain Our Desensitization to Negative News
It’s fairly easy to become desensitized to the negative events going on in the world, and often it feels necessary to numb ourselves from the constant barrage of the 24-hour news cycle. We’re exposed to death and tragedy, to the point of exhaustion. And that’s exactly what happens, we become exhausted and tune out, in a process that has been referred to as psychic numbing or compassion fatigue.
Psychic numbing was coined by Robert Jay Lifton, a psychiatrist who developed the concept when speaking to victims of Hiroshima. Psychic numbing is often a product of post-traumatic stress disorder, but just about anyone can be susceptible to it. In fact, it is almost a natural human reaction out of an inability to comprehend large, abstract numbers or overwhelming data. So, what can we do to combat this apathy, or is it even possible to combat?
What is Psychic Numbing?
The seemingly interminable amount of death, starvation and suffering that is transmitted to us comes from many sources. Media is so pervasive and addictive that it is often difficult to censor all the negativity that comes with it. So instead, we have an innate tendency to block out our emotional response. When reality becomes intolerable, our minds need to escape and diminish that emotional reaction. This can also happen with positive things. Overconsumption of things like food, sex and any other enjoyable stimuli can lead to a diminished return, essentially diluting the satisfaction that you receive.
For humanitarian crises, war or terrorism, this dilution comes in the form of a lack of empathy. Our initial response to something like genocide might be to donate money, raise awareness or pressure a politician to act on our behalf. But once that number surpasses a certain threshold, whether it’s the frequency of crises or the amount of people affected, it becomes more and more difficult to comprehend and the amount of sympathy you can muster exponentially decreases.
Psychologists, like Paul Slavic, believe this to be related to our attachment to images. These images, whether physical or in our mind, become associated with emotions that we attach to them. Sounds, smells and memories are relevant to these images that become variables in developing our levels of empathy. But those images need to be accessed in order to tap into that emotional response. We need to devote attention in order to access those empathic feelings.
When it comes to large scale catastrophes, those images aren’t easily accessible, and the greater the number of victims, the less we feel like we can do to make an impact. It stems from how we conceptualize an event as a whole. Although we might see every life as being equal, the value of saving one life seems greater if there is only one life in danger, or one life within a small group. But when it’s a matter of saving 5,321 lives or 5,322 lives, the value of that one life is harder to conceive and becomes significantly diminished. Slavic calls this psychophysical numbing, our inability to appreciate losses of life as they increase.
But why do our minds think this way? It likely has to do with the feeling of inefficacy, that any contribution or effort to help, won’t have a significant effect – or at least one that is noticeable.
When we have an image to associate with suffering however, feelings of empathy tend to rise. This phenomenon has been seen in images that have gone viral that have represented the plight of refugees. Images of dead or shell-shocked children that have drawn attention in the media and come to symbolize the Syrian refugee crisis have been directly correlated with massive spikes in donations and humanitarian efforts. When we have a visual basis for somebody we can help, and the subsequent effect we have on them, our desire to help increases and feels more rewarding.
How to Avoid Desensitization to Bad News
So, what does one do to be more compassionate and generate more empathy? The first step is simply having awareness. Awareness of what is going on with the crisis at hand and awareness of our own tendencies to block out those emotions when they become overwhelming is key. If we become numb to atrocity, it perpetuates more atrocities. Another answer is to think small. It is possible to make the world better, by thinking small. Although it might seem insignificant, donating time, money and energy to a cause, with the potential to save or impact one life is meaningful and worthwhile.
Numbing oneself to negative news can even be seen as a privilege. Passivity to social and humanitarian injustices can be tantamount to compliance or acceptance. Being aware, outspoken or taking the smallest action is the least we can do to combat negative events. Collective, conscious action and the power of intention can have some profound effects on our society with the ability to enact change.
And it doesn’t have to be something like genocide or war; issues like climate change have become diluted by psychic numbing. The looming threat of climate change can be so daunting and feel like we are past the point of no return, but if we become completely numb to the subject, it will undoubtedly become worse. Identifying a lack of empathy or motivation due to psychic numbing is the first and most important step. We can’t let the powers that be inundate and overwhelm us to the point of becoming numb. Because when we become numb, we stop paying attention.
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432 Hz Frequency: What It Is And How To Connect With Its Power
The 432 Hz frequency is a musical tuning used since ancient times by various cultures due to its harmonizing effect on the body and mind. Its sound resonates with mathematical patterns found in nature and is considered a tool for well-being and the expansion of consciousness. In this article, we explore what the 432 Hz frequency is, its uses, and how to incorporate it into daily life.
Table of Contents
- What Is The 432 Hz Frequency?
- What Is The 432 Hz Frequency Used For?
- Differences Between 432 Hz And 440 Hz Frequencies
- How To Use The 432 Hz Frequency In Your Daily Life
What Is The 432 Hz Frequency?
The 432 Hz frequency is a musical tuning that maintains a mathematical relationship with nature and the universe. It is in tune with the golden ratio, present in the structure of the human body and in patterns such as the Fibonacci sequence. Its sound is more harmonious and balanced compared to the standard 440 Hz tuning.
Different civilizations have used this frequency in their spiritual and ceremonial practices. In ancient Greece, Pythagorean music was based on mathematically perfect scales, while in Egypt and India specific sounds were used to induce deep meditative states. Many ancient instruments were designed to vibrate at 432 Hz, suggesting an intuitive understanding of its impact on consciousness.
In the series Sound of Creation, available on Gaia, experts like Gregg Braden and Dr. Robert Gilbert explore the relationship between sound, sacred geometry, and the vibration of the universe. Through scientific findings and ancestral knowledge, this series reveals how certain frequencies can influence perception and human well-being.
What Is The 432 Hz Frequency Used For?
The 432 Hz frequency has multiple applications for harmonizing the body and mind. Its balanced vibration influences emotional states, concentration, and energetic health. Below are some of its main functions:
- Deep relaxation: It lowers heart rate and brain activity, reducing stress and anxiety. Its sound has a calming effect that facilitates meditation.
- Enhanced concentration: It increases mental clarity and promotes focus. Listening to music in this frequency during study or work improves information retention.
- Energy balance: It aligns the flow of energy in the body and harmonizes the chakras. Its vibration restores physical and emotional well-being.
- Greater connection with nature: It resonates with the Earth’s frequency, strengthening the sense of unity with the environment. Listening to it outdoors enhances its beneficial effects.
- Induction to restorative sleep: It promotes progressive relaxation that facilitates deep rest. Using it before bedtime helps improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety before sleeping.
- Emotional healing: It releases accumulated tension and balances the nervous system. Its vibration works on the subconscious, promoting well-being and emotional balance.
- Creativity stimulation: It activates areas of the brain related to inspiration and imagination. It is ideal for boosting creativity in artistic and expressive disciplines.
Differences Between 432 Hz And 440 Hz Frequencies
The 432 Hz and 440 Hz frequencies are both used to tune musical instruments, but generate different effects in those who listen to them. Today, most music is tuned to 440 Hz, a standard officially adopted in the 20th century. However, 432 Hz has been used in various traditions for its more harmonic sound and its ability to induce relaxation.
Many people perceive music tuned to 432 Hz as softer and more balanced, whereas 440 Hz may feel more tense and stimulating. For this reason, 432 Hz is preferred in practices involving meditation, healing, and wellness. While both frequencies can trigger emotional and physical responses, 432 Hz has become a popular alternative for those seeking a more harmonious and profound sound experience.
How To Use The 432 Hz Frequency In Your Daily Life
Incorporating the 432 Hz frequency into your daily routine is a simple way to promote well-being and emotional balance. You can listen to music tuned to 432 Hz during meditation, upon waking, while working, or before sleeping. It’s also helpful in yoga sessions, massages, or any relaxation practice, as its vibration enhances focus and energetic harmony.
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432 Hz Music For Meditation And Mental Balance
Meditating with 432 Hz music enhances relaxation and facilitates connection with the present moment. Its vibration induces a state of mental calm, reducing internal noise and allowing for a deeper meditative experience. Many people use it to relieve anxiety, improve focus, and enhance introspection.
An example of this frequency can be found in the series Fractal Universe: Meditations for Conscious Elevation, available on Gaia, where sound patterns and geometry are explored to facilitate deep meditative states. The first episode uses a frequency based on the Schumann resonance, related to the Earth’s natural vibration, allowing the mind to synchronize with a state of balance and expansion.
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Using The 432 Hz Frequency For Energy Healing
The 432 Hz frequency is used in sound therapies to balance the body’s energy and release emotional blockages. It’s believed that its vibration harmonizes the chakras and improves the flow of vital energy, making it effective in practices like Reiki, sound bowl therapy, and vibrational healing sessions.
Listening to this frequency while practicing breathing or visualization exercises can enhance its effects. Its sound generates a sensation of well-being and stability, helping to restore emotional and physical balance. For this reason, many people incorporate it into their healing and self-discovery journey.
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How To Listen To 432 Hz Music For Better Sleep
Music in 432 Hz is an effective tool to improve sleep quality and reduce anxiety before sleeping. Its soft, enveloping sound slows down mental activity, helping the body enter a state of deep relaxation. Listening to it for a few minutes before bed can ease the transition to sleep and reduce insomnia.
To enhance its effects, it’s advisable to create a quiet and distraction-free environment. You can combine the music with slow breathing exercises or nature sounds tuned to the same frequency. This practice calms the nervous system and promotes more restorative rest.
