weekend within: healing with sacred sounds

In the heart of Ostia, a harbor city of ancient Rome, is a beautiful amphitheater. There you will find three theater masks placed right above the stage to project the sound to the furthest of the seats.

Wisdom traditions of long ago understood the importance of sound. Religions, poetry, literature and theater use the power of the word to influence and move us at a very deep level. Traditions of sacred sound have existed in all ancient cultures from Egypt and Babylonia, to India, China and the Americas.

Yoga practitioners of India have developed the study of sacred sounds into an art and science. They have discovered that the vibration of sound goes far beyond simply soothing the mind. Primordial sounds actively change our physiology, connect us to our authentic selves, and unite us with nature. Yogis knew that asanas performed while repeating the mantras bring a greater energy and awareness into the bones, muscles, joints and nerves; meditating on the sound or meaning of a mantra is one of the best and simplest meditations to perform and the use of sacred sound and music is one of the best means to bring the mind into the state of yogic oneness, absorption and bliss. Yogis look at the power of sound as an integral part of the holistic approach to life and consciousness; they realize that Primordial sounds, the vibratory codes of the universe, bridge the gap between the duality of the material world and the oneness of the interconnected world of spirit.

Over time the incredible healing power of sound has been all but forgotten, buried beneath mountains of scientific research, patented new drugs, therapies and computer technology. The healing song of a shaman, the sound of a prayer, the sacred chant has been replaced by the humming of the MRI machine, the beeping of the heart monitor and sterile isolation of the hospital ward. Yet somewhere deep inside of us the thread of connection to the profound power of the sounds is still alive, nourished by the sound of rain, invigorated by the sound of crushing waves and inspired by the music of Beethoven and Mozart.

Weekend Within: HEALING WITH SACRED SOUNDS
Coming winter 2012

Here is what’s included: your personal mantra, calculated according to your birth date, time and place; one – on – one instruction in Primordial Sound Meditation; 6+ hours of advanced training in Primordial Sound Meditation, with topics covering a range of material from introduction and basics of meditation, preparation and practical aspects of establishing your meditation practice, to exploration into the higher states of consciousness; 4 group meditation practices; 3 Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga classes; evening satsang, chanting and group discussions.

Primordial Sound Meditation is an ancient practice of sound meditation that has been revived by the Chopra center co-founders, Deepak Chopra, MD and David Simon MD. It’s a natural technique that is easy for anyone to learn and offers many profound benefits: releases stress and anxiety, increases peace of mind, lowers blood pressure, slows the heart rate, awakens creativity, promotes restful sleep, strengthens the immunity.