Sound Bath Meditation by Colleen McMillian

Join us for this unique experience in the sanctuary. Music artist Colleen McMillian will lead us in a 90- minute meditative experience Saturday, July 18th, 10:30 am  

What is a sound bath?

A sound bath is an immersive sonic experience, most often accompanied by acoustic instruments, light percussion and singing, and other ambient sounds. Attendees usually either sit or lie down, close their eyes, and allow their thoughts to slow down as the sound of the instruments helps to create a gentle, meditative space for the mind to explore. Attendees sometimes report feeling as if they are in a dreamlike state, and some even begin to enter the dreaming world while still maintaining a level of present-moment consciousness.

Physiologically, the sound of the instruments promotes a physical and mental state where the sympathetic nervous system (responsible for stress responses and defense, a.k.a. "fight-or-flight") can relax and let the parasympathetic nervous system (responsible for relaxation, resting states, digestion and repair to tissues and organs, a.k.a. "rest-and-digest") take over. Small, initial scientific studies of sound healing have shown a reduction in stress hormones, chronic pain, and anxious thoughts and feelings.