“Sound “Healer”? what does that even mean?
It may be contentious but im gonna say it, the term “Sound Healing” is thrown about all over the place and more often than not, it is misleading.
The word “Healing” is defined, in the oxford dictionary, as: “the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again”
I have experienced sound “healing” where i have had the opposite effect and have left me totally disregulated by chaotic waveforms presented like a performance.
If one is using sound in a therapeutic way and naming it “Sound Healing” the natural assumption would be that they know what they are doing and have some level of training that provides them with skills and knowledge to conduct their work safely and effectively? Unfortunately, this is not the case and it can be very hard to know what you are going to get when you sign up to attend a “sound healing”.
There is no doubt that sound has healing benefits however it is unregulated territory and there seems to be an astounding number of Sound Healers out there using these terms without any real concept of what that actually means.
Dont get me wrong, i am genuinely grateful that this practice has become so celebrated and in demand. I have experienced true transformation, improved health, both mental and physical, and have taught and treated countless individuals who too have experienced the same. But healing is not so one dimensional and i do not believe sound heals, i believe that the intentional use of Sound and Vibration can create the conditions for individuals to heal themselves.
Somewhere along the way our culture created a packaged concept of what the practice is, attaching selected extracts of aincient philosophy to it that is incorrect, unfounded and counter intuitive.
FULL MOON BOWLS, CHAKRA SETS OF SINGING BOWLS, PLANETARY METALS, BUDDHA BOWLS, TARA BOWLS, these are a fanciful modern day words that are most often used to sell.
The growing interest in the practice has undoubtedly helped many people but this interest also comes with cultural appropriation and spiritual bypassing. This is somewhat disheartening as the practice invites us to listen deeply to the present moment not disappear from it.
This is simply an opinion and there are so many ways we can look at this but for me as someone who works energetically with sound and vibration, it can be disheartening to witness the overindulgent, superficial and unethical misuse of the practice that seeks to make money and escape reality. In many cases people don’t even realise the colorful manufacturing and commercialisation taking place and are simply seeking peace in the world and in themselves, but what often happens is that we become separated, either shrug it off as total bullshit OR indulge the ego into believing everything we hear.
Lets consider this:
Spiritual Bypassing is the misuse of spiritual beliefs or practices to avoid, mask, or sidestep uncomfortable emotions, unresolved wounds, and psychological tasks. Coined by John Welwood, this defence mechanism fosters a superficial sense of enlightenment, often masking fear, trauma, or low self-esteem with high-minded detachment or toxic positivity.
Cultural Appropriation is the adoption of elements—such as clothing, symbols, language, or music—from a marginalised or minority culture by members of a dominant culture, typically without permission, understanding, or respect.
“Certified Sound Healer” - This is a title that should be viewed with discernment. Sam the Barber could offer you a certificate as a “Certified Sound Healer”. There are currently no accreditation, standards or government body systems in place that regulate Sound as a therapy. Regulations are, and have been, in discussion across the country and the process of recognition is underway but likely to take a long time to be recognised and implemented.
As someone who runs a small business that needs to generate revenue to survive, i aknowlege that i too have to participate and engage in self promotion, marketing, systems and activities that make it sustainable but i do not pretend to be something I am not or create a persona to suit the aspirations of others. I speak openly, honestly and unscripted, i make mistakes and i am human, i hope/expect that others can offer me the same in return.
My new acronym: L.S.T = LOVE, SERVICE, TRUTH