You Have to be in the Mood for a Sound Bath

Winter Solstice 2019, I went to a gong sound bath in the Cowdray Hall in Aberdeen.  Pardon the pun, but it was rank.  Not just musically, but partly because I recognised, in others, where I had been on the ‘transformational journey’, and that felt horrible.  That initial phase of ‘being good’ and thinking you’re in charge.  No wonder Buddha laughs so much.  (I am not Buddhist, and have no intention of becoming one now, or in any future reincarnation).

First, we were handed a bead, an incense cone and an egg-cup of cacao.  The ceremony was sickeningly serious but empty; I didn’t know whether to laugh or bolt.  When the gong cacophony started, one elderly lady was so disturbed, she was taken out in tears.  I sat upright all through it.  When it was over, I escaped into the sparkling streets, free and joyful, thinking ‘That’s it!’  Whatever I’m looking for, it’s not amongst New Age bullshit’

Wiser folk will tell you that these were mirrors, reflecting the chaos and judgement inside my monkey mind – which I freely admit is of ‘King Kong’ proportions.  Wiser folk may have a point.

Now that I am calm, (you can’t see me, but I’m laughing), I can choose to join in some New Age events with discerning dharma and carefree moksha.  (More laughing).

This morning, I went to a Qigong session at ‘The Vinery’.  There was a sound bath afterwards, and I planned to leave before that part.  Run by a lovely fun lady, with gentle reiki energy, a CD and a drum, not gongs and bowls; I stayed.  We sound-bathed in the glasshouse of the Victorian vinery; the primal vibes of a yidaki and jungle animals screaming.  Very much like my monkey mind usually does.

I hope she’ll come back another time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN-542IYoE0