SONIC MEDITATION
Sound healing, sound bath, and sound journey are terms that refer to a wide range of contemporary sound-based meditations that aim to provide relaxation, release, and healing. In seated or supine positions, participants listen to waves or fields of sound. The instruments, techniques, and frequencies used in a sound bath vary greatly according to the practitioner’s modality, philosophy, and personal approach. In addition, each session differs based on the number, composition, and mood of the participants themselves. Each session is therefore completely unique.I base my teaching and facilitation of sonic meditation on my artistic practice of improvised chants, and my ethnographic and spiritual training as a ‘critical thinking friend’ to accompany listeners as they make sense of their trance and meditation experiences.
In every session I strive to create an immersive and expansive space for participants to practice listening as a self-healing modality. As with many other kinds of creatively repetitive activities, my sessions typically induce alpha and theta states of consciousness. Participants often report sensorial experiences of mental and physical relaxation, emotional release, and intuitive visualization.
I send out a bi-monthly newsletter as a field journal, reflecting on my thoughts and experiences as a chant artist-facilitator.
Here’s some feedback from past sessions, conducted remotely and on-site:
I am fortunate to have experienced a sound meditation session Anjeline led for me and my friends this weekend and it was nothing like I have ever experienced before. I have always known that music could evoke rich visual imagery and get us in touch with or tap into our deep seated emotions. What I didn't expect was that the power of sound could take one on a journey, a transcendental experience, a state of deep relaxation but also with heightened senses. Thank you for this gift, Jeline! May your voice take you to where you want to go! - J, Sweden (on-site)
Throughout Anjeline's sound session, I could feel protected from something, a sense of being filled with energy, and a feeling of confidence and courage that I had the power to move forward. It was a great experience to observe myself from a new perspective and feel the movement of my mind visually and tactilely, which I could not think of in other meditations before. At that time, I was lost in the various problems I faced, and I could feel them unfolding in the landscape. In it, I took a new step in my mind, which embodied the shift from abstract and blurred mental pain and problems to material things and surroundings that seemed realistic to a reasonable level in my head. So when I did an action in it, I felt like I had a clue or a guide to how to get through the situation in my mind, and I think it actually eased the difficulty of doing something a little after a while as if I had done it before. It's as if it was a time to be sure of my honest intentions and thoughts in advance. Although it is a human voice, it is impressive and spiritually fulfilled. It stimulates personal narratives and brings about a change of thought by creating a sound, not a way, to send and receive messages directly verbally. Anyone can experience their own's journey deeply after experiencing Anjeline's session. It was such a meaningful and energetic experience. - H, Seoul (remote, via Zoom)
Just wanted to say that I thought your session was super fascinating! I've been a Buddhist meditator now for over 10 years and it was amazing to experience a different way of approaching "coming back to the body" and energy movement. When I first started practising, my hands would lift off whenever I'd sit down to meditate. Had the same experience last night, even though I was lying on my back! It was strange to feel the same sensations but with sound as a guide — and as you said in the beginning, your role was like a door, allowing me to move through and face myself. Amazing. Even though I couldn't see you (I had my laptop turned away so the light coming from it wouldn't distract me), I felt your generosity and guidance strongly. And to think, this was all online with a slightly dodgy connection! I think the key in approaching any sort of practice like this is grounding in one or a few already established practices, but to ultimately teach what comes naturally to the teacher. To teach from intuition and experience. It comes across genuinely to those you guide and and teach. So THANK YOU! - R, Melbourne (remote, via Zoom)
Anjeline’s sound bath was deeply relaxing, immersive, and creative. It felt like a brain massage, a wave of energy flowing in the universe, and a mysterious journey deep into the soul. - M, Hong Kong (on-site)
Some weeks ago, I was recommended to try out Anjeline’s sound bath and went in not knowing what to expect. (It was my first time and I had never even heard of a sound bath before that.) I went in mentally exhausted because of work anxiety, and came out refreshed and clear-minded. Before starting, Anjeline explained the process, which was assuring. The experience itself was not only relaxing but surprisingly visceral and deeply sensorial. I imagine every individual is differently attuned to how they experience sensations, so I can only describe my personal experience even if it might sound weird. I felt some weight lifting off my shoulders and my back through the process. I also got this deja vu, the same sensation I used to get when eating thunder tea rice with basil soup years ago, which I can only describe as mental fog being drawn out through the nasal passage. I would certainly go back again as the fog and exhaustion are accumulating, and the sound bath is a uniquely relaxing experience which draws them out in ways that 'physical' therapy like acupuncture and massaging don’t work for me. - N, Hong Kong (on-site)
Glad to have hosted another successful vocal meditation led by Anjeline de Dios. It has been a special evening with the beautiful voices free flowing in our space. Anjeline will continue to lead and inspire us in self-discovery with her special talent. - Christina Shiu, The Singing Bowl Gallery, Singapore (on-site)
Throughout Anjeline's sound session, I could feel protected from something, a sense of being filled with energy, and a feeling of confidence and courage that I had the power to move forward. It was a great experience to observe myself from a new perspective and feel the movement of my mind visually and tactilely, which I could not think of in other meditations before. At that time, I was lost in the various problems I faced, and I could feel them unfolding in the landscape. In it, I took a new step in my mind, which embodied the shift from abstract and blurred mental pain and problems to material things and surroundings that seemed realistic to a reasonable level in my head. So when I did an action in it, I felt like I had a clue or a guide to how to get through the situation in my mind, and I think it actually eased the difficulty of doing something a little after a while as if I had done it before. It's as if it was a time to be sure of my honest intentions and thoughts in advance. Although it is a human voice, it is impressive and spiritually fulfilled. It stimulates personal narratives and brings about a change of thought by creating a sound, not a way, to send and receive messages directly verbally. Anyone can experience their own's journey deeply after experiencing Anjeline's session. It was such a meaningful and energetic experience. - H, Seoul (remote, via Zoom)
Just wanted to say that I thought your session was super fascinating! I've been a Buddhist meditator now for over 10 years and it was amazing to experience a different way of approaching "coming back to the body" and energy movement. When I first started practising, my hands would lift off whenever I'd sit down to meditate. Had the same experience last night, even though I was lying on my back! It was strange to feel the same sensations but with sound as a guide — and as you said in the beginning, your role was like a door, allowing me to move through and face myself. Amazing. Even though I couldn't see you (I had my laptop turned away so the light coming from it wouldn't distract me), I felt your generosity and guidance strongly. And to think, this was all online with a slightly dodgy connection! I think the key in approaching any sort of practice like this is grounding in one or a few already established practices, but to ultimately teach what comes naturally to the teacher. To teach from intuition and experience. It comes across genuinely to those you guide and and teach. So THANK YOU! - R, Melbourne (remote, via Zoom)
Anjeline’s sound bath was deeply relaxing, immersive, and creative. It felt like a brain massage, a wave of energy flowing in the universe, and a mysterious journey deep into the soul. - M, Hong Kong (on-site)
Some weeks ago, I was recommended to try out Anjeline’s sound bath and went in not knowing what to expect. (It was my first time and I had never even heard of a sound bath before that.) I went in mentally exhausted because of work anxiety, and came out refreshed and clear-minded. Before starting, Anjeline explained the process, which was assuring. The experience itself was not only relaxing but surprisingly visceral and deeply sensorial. I imagine every individual is differently attuned to how they experience sensations, so I can only describe my personal experience even if it might sound weird. I felt some weight lifting off my shoulders and my back through the process. I also got this deja vu, the same sensation I used to get when eating thunder tea rice with basil soup years ago, which I can only describe as mental fog being drawn out through the nasal passage. I would certainly go back again as the fog and exhaustion are accumulating, and the sound bath is a uniquely relaxing experience which draws them out in ways that 'physical' therapy like acupuncture and massaging don’t work for me. - N, Hong Kong (on-site)
Glad to have hosted another successful vocal meditation led by Anjeline de Dios. It has been a special evening with the beautiful voices free flowing in our space. Anjeline will continue to lead and inspire us in self-discovery with her special talent. - Christina Shiu, The Singing Bowl Gallery, Singapore (on-site)