resources for inner peace, health and healing
art &sound healing may 2011
www.esswellness.com Cover art: Richard Bonk
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may 2011
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inside
may 2011
art & sound healing through
6–7 The voice can heal the planet An interview with Jonathan and Andi Goldman, sound healing teachers BY LYNN S. LAFROTH 8–9 Art is essential! By RICHARD BONK
14–15 Painting myself healed The story of how artist and storyteller Sarah Schaleger painted her way from illness to transformation and healing. BY SARAH SCHALEGER 16 CALENDAR
10 What is Sound Healing? BY KAY GRACE
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HEALING THROUGH ART & SOUND
The voice can heal th
An interview with Jonathan and Andi Goldman, sound healin
A
USPICIOUS
MIGHT
healing modality began about 30 or 35 years
Monroe who demonstrated that synchroniz-
describe the day they met:
ago with a small group of individuals who
ing the left and right hemispheres of the brain
A Summer Solstice, a triple
where guided to learn about and work with
alters states of consciousness using sound,
rainbow, an introduction
sound as a healing modality and bring this
and Alfred Tomatis, M.D., whose Electronic
by friend and fellow sound
work to the planet.”
Ear proved effective in working with learn-
healer Mozart Effect® author Don Campbell.
ing disabilities and emotional imbalances.
“We developed a beautiful friendship that
individual with sound to heal and transform
evolved into a beautiful love and romantic
themselves. When I can teach and enable a
peutic and transformational uses of sound
marriage,” said Andi Goldman about her
non-trained singer to use sound to shift their
and music have appeared in many publica-
relationship with Jonathan Goldman.
lives and to make a better existence for them-
tions. Books he’s written include The Divine
selves, that’s very important,” said Jonathan.
Name, Healing Sounds, Shifting Frequencies,
The Goldma ns —Jonatha n, a
renowned writer, musician, and teacher on the healing power of sound, and wife Andi, a licensed psychotherapist who specializes in holistic counseling and sound therapy— are the Soundsation Conference keynoters at the May 20 “Principles of Sound” presentation at Normandale Community College in Bloomington, MN. Cyndi Dale will
“My greatest purpose is to empower the
Named One of Most Spiritually Influential on the Planet
This spring 2011, Jonathan was named
as one of The Watkin’s Review Magazine’s “100 Most Spiritually Influential Living
Jonathan’s pioneering work in thera-
Tantra of Sound (co-authored with wife Andi), and The 7 Secrets of Sound Healing. Jonathan has also produced many sound healing recordings.
People on the Planet.”
Bringing a World Back to Balance
“It is an extraordinary honor to be
When asked how sound can bring our
included with such great people as Eckhart
current world of crisis back into balance he
Tolle, the Dalai Lama, Deepak Chopra,
said, “First and foremost, sound is simply
and Oprah,” said Jonathan. “It is quite an
the easiest and most powerful way one can
Purpose: To Heal and Transform Through Sound
affirmation that my work has a real effect.”
manifest and feel the effects of healing. In
This tribute comes well-earned. Jona-
this time of great turmoil, by working with
“When I met Andi, I thought she was
than is considered by many to be one of the
sound, every individual can place them-
the finest, kindest person I’d ever met. What
premier sound healing experts in the world.
selves in a state of harmony and balance
most people don’t know about Andi is that
He has studied the “masters” in this field
by removing some of the stress through
years before she met me she was a pioneer in
including pioneers Sir Dr. Peter Guy Man-
sound.” He believes that sound can affect
the field of coaching,” said Jonathan.
ners, M.D., inventor of the Cymatic Instru-
us on the physical, emotional, mental, and
It is well-known that Jonathan himself
ment that uses direct application of specifi-
spiritual levels. “Self-created sound goes
is also a pioneer—in the field of sound heal-
cally tabulated sound frquencies on the body
directly into our nervous system and our
ing. Andi explains, “The field of sound as a
for healing, Hemi-Sync founder Robert
bodies. Through working with these sounds
join the Goldmans on May 21 for an all-day “Sound Healers Seminar.”
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BY LYNN S. LAFROTH
he planet
ng teachers we do have the ability to calm ourselves
of stress-related hormones,” said Jonathan.
down and reduce stress—so important for
“And, when we sound together with another
maintaining health,” he said.
person, we get the release of oxytocin—
From his writings he says, “I teach how
the trust hormone. Sounds breaks down
to create and use vocal harmonics, which are
any barriers that exists between us. That’s
sounds within sounds, in order to resonate
remarkable!” He said that sound can affect
our body and our brain. It is my belief that
the chakra energy systems at a deeper level
we will find out in the very near future that
bringing those frequencies into alignment.
these self-created sounds may be one of the
“Many years ago I developed a technique for
primary ways we can actually stimulate dif-
deep and profound meditation using self-
ferent parts of the brain causing direct reso-
created sounds and mantras that we’ll be
nance of the brain using our own sounds.
sharing at the conference. It’s my belief that
These sounds not only energize our body
we humans have an extraordinary ability—if
and our brain, but can potentially used for
we work with our own intentions and sound
healing—creating new neural synaptic con-
to create an interface with the noosphere, or
nections. The implications are astounding.”
the sphere of all human thought—to learn
Andi continues, “When we come to
to shift and create miracles on the planet,”
Minneapolis, we’ll be focusing on what we
said Jonathan. He refers us to the Global
consider to be the most powerful aspect of
Consciousness Project who studies this con-
sound—the human voice. It may just be the
cept and presents scientific data about cer-
most powerful healing instrument on the
tain events influencing the entire planet.
planet. We have a saying: ‘We Heal Our-
selves, We Heal the Planet; We Heal the
called,” said Andi. “We work with sound to
Planet, We Heal Ourselves.’”
create healing for the planet.”
Physiological Effects of Sound on the Body
“Self-created sounds have major physi-
“Global harmonization is what this is
“This idea that we can interface with
our unified consciousness (the noosphere) and can co-create reality through sound is
our focus on holding that vision,” said Andi. “Our single most important message is that the true sound of healing is Love and if we can bring love to our planet that is the best thing we could possibly do to be of service, and to helping people make this earth walk a better one for each person.”
“Everyone has the ability of rediscov-
ering the power of self-created sounds for healing and transformation. It’s an extraordinary gift we are trying to reawaken for planetary healing,” said Jonathan.
Jonathan and Andi Goldman have a
website: www.healingsounds.com. Look for Chakra Frequencies, Andi and Jonathan’s
an extraordinary reality!” said Jonathan.
new book coming out soon.
lower blood pressure and heart rate, increase
True Sound of Healing is Love
Lynn S. LaFroth is editor/co-publisher of Essen-
in lymphatic circulation and levels of mela-
“Jonathan and I both embrace the love
tial Wellness e-magazine and www.esswellness.
and the light around our planet and we put
com. She can be reached at info@esswellness.com
ological benefits including increased oxygen,
tonin, and among other things—reduction
may 2011
7
HEALING THROUGH ART & SOUND
By RICHARD BONK
Art is essential! Evolutionary impulse to create comes with self-awareness
I
WON’T make a claim that
are wearing, the furniture we are sitting on,
I entered a college biology class only to
art has saved my life or in any
the room we are in, cars, buildings, and cit-
sadly discover something was missing: The
specific way dramatically trans-
ies—our entire civilization is dependant on
artful images of nature were replaced by
formed me, but I feel that I am
creativity, art and design. It is how we know
scientific classification, concepts and mea-
honest in stating that my life
cultures; it is what survives and informs; it
surements. I felt what had attracted me to
has arisen out of and is sustained through
is our legacy from the past, the foundation
nature and sustained me was mysteriously
creativity. In my experience, it cannot be
of our future, and the form and function
absent. I decided to end my pursuit of a sci-
otherwise.
upon which our present moment rests.
ence career, and not knowing what direc-
Yet in our world of craving, aversion
tion to turn decided to try a drawing class.
and delusion, we devalue art; it is typically
Though this did not make sense in terms
the first to go when we slash curricula in
of practical career ambitions, I felt at home
our anxious reactions to a downturn in
again, able to examine and express the pat-
the economic cycle. Making these obser-
terns, textures, and forms in nature. Con-
vations and reacting from the heart, it is
current with my adolescent involvement
my desire to align with nature in a direct,
with nature was a blossoming interest in
intimate, and conscious manner—to serve
philosophy, spirituality, and consciousness
the evolutionary creative impulse—to be
and the art that reflected and expressed
one of nature’s artists and to advocate for
such “inner nature.”
As Humanity Evolved So Did Art
A fundamental process in our expe-
rienced universe is that of the creative process. Whether cosmic, chemical, biological, psychological or social, there seems to be a ubiquitous, impersonal impulse to experiment, innovate and evolve—to create. As living beings we have been instruments of nature’s creative process and more recently as humans, the creative impulse has taken on an additional dimension. As self-awareness dawned, conscious art making accompanied.
the arts as a necessary, sustaining, growth engendering and healing element in the lives of individuals, communities and the
Art Flows Through Me
It seems that no matter what my
natural world.
circumstances are in life and despite the
utilized our growing mental capacities to
My Relationship With Art
reflect on and communicate our perceptions
creative, art-making process continues to
Personally, my relationship with art
assert itself. It feels that it is something that
began as a child as an attempt to cap-
flows naturally through me and something
ture, understand, and express what I was
I am compelled to honor. It is my direct
attracted to in nature, specifically animals
experience that art is nature expressing
and their habitats. I felt an affinity with
itself as the evolutionary creative impulse
these creatures and wanted this inter-
through the human vehicle—in this case
est to be my life’s pursuit so I planned to
through me. I am humbled and feel awe as
become a zoologist. To fulfill this purpose
nature expresses herself through me.
From the early cave paintings which have
of our outer and inner worlds, to that rapid rise of civilization and now technology, art making and the creative process have served as fundamental and essential tools.
We have but to look around to affirm
that design is everywhere, from the computer we sit at to read this, to the clothes we
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challenges that present themselves, the
ABOUT THE COVER ART
“Acceptance Holds All� BY RICHARD BONK www.richardbonk.com This piece is a recent commission for the Virginia Piper Cancer Institute of Unity Hospital, Fridley, MN. It results from collaborative mandala making with staff and artist Richard Bonk. Richard is one of the founding members of the Midwest Arts in Healthcare Network: www.maihn.wildapricot.org.
Richard Bonk, M.Ed, www.richardbonk.com,
panding techniques including meditation,
healing and growth. He is available for per-
is a life long artist, wellness coach, counselor,
yoga, hypnosis, flotation tank therapy, dream
sonal art commissions and workshops and
teacher, and workshop facilitator. He utilizes
work, guided imagery, visual and literary
is a founding member of the Midwest Arts
traditional counseling and consciousness ex-
arts to facilitate client awareness, learning,
in Health Network, http://www.maihn.org. may 2011
9
HEALING THROUGH ART & SOUND
BY KAY GRACE
What is Sound Healing?
S
OUND HEALING is a specialized form of energy medicine based on vibrational frequencies. Everything in the universe is made of energy which vibrates at its own
unique speed or frequency. If a person is ill, in physical pain or feels out of balance mentally, emotionally, or spiritually, the system is not “in harmony” or vibrating at its optimal level.
Sound healing effectively induces a state
of calm, slows and regulates breathing, lowers blood pressure, alleviates pain, and reduces stress—all of which boost the function of the immune system. Sound can take your brain
Intention Is Critical To Sound Healing
lar activity move toward greater order, the
tively. More complex music affects us on a
What you and the person receiving
the sound intend, combined with the state of being you’re in encodes itself onto the sound. Sound contains information, and we decode it all the time. Even if we are unaware of this consciously, our bodies and subconscious minds recognize and respond to this information.
Sound healing tools and techniques
include voice (toning, chanting, singing, overtone or harmonic singing), drums, Tibetan and Himalayan singing bowls and chimes, crystal singing bowls, tuning
waves from active to alpha, as if you were med-
forks, music, and laughter.
itating, or even into a theta brain wave state,
where very deep healing often occurs just below the surface of your conscious awareness.
• Dissolving a block by matching its frequency, like an opera singer who shatters
We are whole systems, like an orchestra
playing a symphony. Instead of cellos, violins, and trumpets, we have our physical bodies, our emotions, our thoughts and our spiritual selves. What happens in one area affects all
a glass with her voice. • Releasing through sound, which creates a pathway for unwanted energy to leave. • Making the sound of a stored energetic trauma left in your system is another
the others, just like a wrong note throws the whole orchestra out of harmony.
Sound healing brings the entire system
kind of releasing. • Entrainment which uses specific sounds
mony, using tools, intention
in
order to release whatever causing issue.
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is the
mental and emotional level because it is acting in the nervous system, specifically, the parts of our brain responsible for emotion, memory, and non-verbal communication.
Masuru Emoto, a Japanese researcher,
has studied the effects of music, chants, thoughts, and words on the shape and pattern of water as it forms into crystals. “Thank You” creates a beautiful crystal, while “I hate you,” creates a dark, chaotic mess. He theorizes that since humans are made up of mostly water, sounds, including the inaudible frequencies of words and thoughts have an effect on us, both positive and negative.
I encourage you to explore music and
sound for better health, reducing unhealthy sounds (including your own thoughts!) in your environment, and replacing them with more harmonious ones, and to seek out experienced sound healers and healing music to assist you on your journey to greater health and happiness.
and intention to bring you into a par-
back toward more order and hartechnique and
There are 3 basic ways this happens:
body can do its own job much more effec-
ticular state of being, such as relaxed,
Kay Grace has an established private practice
focused or energized.
offering Sound Healing and Energy Work. A
Even a single tone sung at the proper
graduate of a four year certification program
frequency, can effect change in our bod-
in advanced energy work from Inner Focus
ies. Scientists believe this may be possible
School, she has also studied Sound Healing
because our bodies are made up of about
extensively with Jonathan Goldman and Sound
80 percent water and water is a major con-
Accord Healing School. kay@energyexpress.com,
ductor of sound. If sound helps the cellu-
952-292-0480, www.EnergyExpress.com
may 2011
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may 2011
13
HEALING THROUGH ART & SOUND
Painting myself heale
The story of how artist and storyteller Sarah Schaleger pai
S
ARAH
SCHALEGER
eye, so to speak. As I put on the dark cop-
embodies the archetype of
per paint, I was struck by the insight that
the wounded healer. A 2001
the copper was not light (as gold paint is),
diagnosis of stage IV thyroid
nor did it represent light. It felt instead
cancer led to many surgeries,
like darkness masquerading as light. This
chronic pain, fibromyalgia, and depression.
realization was electrifying, because deep
Using varied modalities, especially paint-
down I carried a belief that cancer could
ing, Sarah transformed her life, moving
solve all my problems. I could give up.
from client to practitioner. She works with
No one would blame me.
individuals and groups using art, visualiza-
tion, sound, and healing touch to connect
willing to face death I was showing brav-
others to themselves and to their healing
ery, I suddenly realized it would actually
source. This is the story of how artist and
be far more courageous to stick around
storyteller Sarah Schaleger painted her way
and face my life—to look life straight in
from illness to transformation and healing.
the eye—than it would be to die. I could
Can Art Heal, And If So, How?
I was recently divorced and suffering
from chronic pain, depression and fibromyalgia related to my thyroid cancer. Someone suggested to me that I “paint myself completely healed.” The thought amazed and challenged me. “Of course!” I thought, and then, “How can I do that?” I realized it would be wise to start by painting my current illness.
With my mind as blank as the can-
vas, I began painting an image of an eyeshaped black hole, surrounded by shiny copper paint. The hole was complete nothingness—a void—(terror). I was painting my experience of cancer, looking it in the
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Believing all along that by being
now fully grasp the meaning of darkness masquerading as light: cancer masquerading as a solution in my life.
This insight helped me become will-
ing to make the choice to accept my circumstances. I asked myself how it would feel if I were to stand in darkness and be present to the emptiness of the void. I didn’t blame myself for having cancer but I realized that my depression wanted me to slide out of life through it, which didn’t feel
face my fear of nothingness, of the void; I could stand in it, and live with it.
very honest. This helped me form a new
Painting Myself Healed
relationship to the cancer and to my life. I
recognized that while I was not in charge of
my next painting—the image of myself as
the cancer, I had every right to support my
completely healed. Surprisingly, I painted
health, which included being emotionally
the void again, but this time it was totally
honest with myself. I could recognize and
changed. This time it was full of radiant
These experiences carried me into
BY SARAH SCHALEGER
ed
inted her way from illness to transformation and healing
light. The void had become a channel.
painting it. I was amazed by the release and
an invitation to embrace what is. The tem-
I realized that I had painted an image
profound transformation I experienced as I
plate for wholeness is within us, and we
of myself connecting to my life-source
continued painting.
can access it in many ways, including—
energy! The process of standing in the void
and especially—art.
and facing my fear transformed the void
to many people. Showing individuals their
into a channel of light and healing. This
inner landscape can bring to light unex-
Sa ra h S c h a l e g e r c a n b e re a c h e d a t
transformative experience was integrated
amined beliefs while creating access to
s a ra h @ s a ra h s c h a l e g e r. c o m o r v i s i t
into my awareness through the process of
intrinsic strength and wholeness. It offers
http://www.sarahschaleger.com
Since then I’ve brought this method
may 2011
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calendar MAY May 7 Bagua Flow Introductory Workshop 3-5 pm. Register at Yoga Prairie in Eden Prairie, MN. This is the prerequisite for BaGua Flow outdoor classes. May 15 Bagua Flow Introductory Workshop 2:30-4:30 pm. Register at Yoga Prairie in Eden Prairie, MN. This is the prerequisite for BaGua Flow outdoor classes. May 20-22 Harvesting Women’s Wisdom Retreat In Stanchfield, MN. If you long to discover the “wise and wild woman” within, join our circle of women in the heart of the Tuscan countryside! Sign up by June 1st for Sept. 17-24, 2011 Retreat: Celebrating Midlife and Beyond, A Tuscany Retreat for Women of a Certain Age (45+). www.spiralexplorations.com
SEPTEMBER Sept. 10 Fargo Psychic Symposium Fargo Civic Center, 10-6. Intuitive readers, holistic healers, wellness products, unique gifts. Keynote speakers. To exhibit: dee@edgelife.net, 715-259-3047. FFI, Tickets: www.edgelife.net
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may 2011
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