Your 3 Sonic Powers for Rest
And any other aspect(s) of your life, really.
‘Impact’, 35mm film © Flory Huang.
Equipment-free, this is no new gadget for you to buy or a workout and it doesn’t pollute the planet at all. It's something we already do throughout the day.
Communication. The key to all relationships and a cornerstone of the human brain's evolution. And something are all grappling with in the face of a global pandemic. More specifically, I'm talking about (no pun intended) the frequencies of and the energy in language.
Some of you are already nodding your head, ‘Yeah, of course. Language creates.’ And some of you may be familiar with Dr. Masaru Emoto's experiment that documents the crystallization of water as a result of different verbal and non-verbal language and intentions. The experiment illustrated the comparable effects of energy seen at a molecular level. Coincidentally, the average human is comprised of approximately 60% water mass. (For the intellects: 40% of this water is intracellular, like ions and proteins that are found within a cell, while 20% is extracelluar, such as the plasma, blood and other body fluids outside of them.) Suddenly centuries of prayer, mantra, meditation and poetry feel a lot more real, huh? More recently, communication is feeling more visceral than ever. We are experiencing it through the communication from major news outlets, where the over or under-simplification of scientific information is either compromising or cradling public health and safety.
While most of us are cognitively and socially aware of language’s impact, the attention wanes in our private moments, often at home or in the presence of our closest people, when we’re especially tired, irritated, stressed out, over it. It’s natural and relatable, we’re human. Whichever pathway(s) you are on for coming back to rest, you can actually choose how that road is paved through intentional vibrations- sonic and energetic. It's the difference between loose dirt and jagged gravel, or smoothly-poured even asphalt. Same road to rest; 2 different rides. Try it for yourself.
So whether you're giving yourself rest or sharing space with others, harness the sonic powers you have. 3 forms of your many sonic powers are your:
Language
Accurate Adjectives
Tactile descriptions translate from your mind through to body on conscious and subconscious levels, based on your conceptions of specific words. Explore what it’s like to assign textures to your intentions (no creative writing diploma required, just conscious choice!) A soft rest creates a different quality of experience from a deep rest. I’m a big fan of both, but each have their time and place, you know?
Metaphor Magic
They say a picture is worth a thousand words; let’s make sure that picture actually eases you. While a meadow may be peaceful to visualize for many, to another it could be synonymous with allergies, insects and even isolation. Suddenly we’re not so serene. Remember in rest, you take it personally.
Invitations (instead of instructions)
“The last time I was in a heated argument and the person told me to ‘just relax’, I did and we resolved our conflict”, said no one ever! Active and “optimized” actions, no matter how well-intended, usually won’t deeply inspire release, surrender or reprieve. Instead of commanding yourself into chilling out, invite yourself to allowing a pause or give yourself permission to embody ease.
2. Intention
Otherwise known as hope, motive, or purpose. While it’s possible for you to mentally formulate a verbal lie, you can’t lie to your body (or other people, water, plants, and apples for that matter): restfulness is a state of being, not a task to complete on a list. Don’t be overthink away from simplicity and know that intentions can be anchored by feelings. Maybe all you need from rest right now is a sense of stillness, for 5 minutes or the next 5 hours.
3. Vibrations (non-verbal)
Get it out in pure sound: sigh, vu, om, tap, groan, yell or scream your way through to rest. You can’t destroy emotion/energy, so give it space to move. For major realtime inspo: watch an animal next time it prepares for rest. (Baby animals will spark extra joy with their cuteness.)
The atmosphere: be intentional in setting up your space in the ways you can. Perhaps your daytime Spotify playlist, though chill, isn’t going to be the same one on in the background. Perhaps you’ve never listened to your own voice aloud during a meditation. First time for everything.
Listen: without adding to or subtracting from, experience simply feeling the subtle humming of your vital body (stiffness, soreness and fatigue included.) Or sound bathe if you have the instruments; maybe we can just be one with the drone of the refrigerator. Ride the waves of your breath and see where they carry you. Even silence has its own volumes.
Adjust the above accordingly for your personal needs and preferences. I hope you’ll share them with the community, too.
Being in physical distancing is magnifying so many- if not all- aspects of our lives. We are experiencing personal challenges, and a lot of grief, in facing collective changes in unity, autonomy and choice. Maybe tuning in to your own super sonic powers can be a delightful and nourishing place to bring more quiet for yourself in a very loud time.
It feels like there’s increasing impatience for our own permission to rest (still or again.) We deserve it. We need it. Take it all one moment at a time and remember you don’t have to do it all alone because we’re in this together. Rest well.
