A sound bath for skeptics

Today, at a conference I took part in a sound bath meditation, and found it incredibly relaxing and reduced my stress, anxiety, and even some pain in my back.

However, I don’t necessarily think that the sound both itself accomplished this, and as the every annoying skeptic I am, needed to research after.

What I found was limited scientific data about the effectiveness of a sound bath. One study noted:

“Tibetan singing bowl meditation may be a feasible low-cost low technology intervention for reducing feelings of tension, anxiety, and depression, and increasing spiritual well-being. This meditation type may be especially useful in decreasing tension in individuals who have not previously practiced this form of meditation.”

In the end, looking at studies, the evidence suggests what I experienced was real because these sound baths to provide relaxation and can help bring on reduced anxiety, and stress. I can’t speak on depression as while I do suffer from depression, one session was not about to “cure” depression, and I don’t think countless sessions would either.

Instead, I think for myself, a sound bath becomes another option in my mindfulness and meditation journey, allowing me have another tool in my toolbox to help reduce stress, etc. I would say the back pain didn’t vanish because of the sound bath, but it played a role in helping me fall into enough of a relaxed state to alleviate the tension that was likely causing it. 

At the end of the day though, I need to ask myself, does it matter what the science says when it works for me? I am not looking for a cure to an illness, I am not looking for metaphysical results or explanations, I am simply looking to get out of own head and be present and aware in the moment. 

If sitting in a room with singing bowls and other sounds helps me achieve that, than it should be evidence enough that it works.