Virtually everything on Earth vibrates. The planet itself vibrates. All matter consists of atomic material which is in constant motion. Motion is manifested in everything within the Universe – nothing is at rest – everything moves, vibrates and circles. This motion generates frequencies, which then generate sound. Whether we hear it, everything has a sound, a vibration all its own. The velocity (frequency) of the movement determines the specific sound.
We are constantly being vibrated, on a cellular level, by heard and unheard sound frequencies. Sound has a tremendous influence over human functionality. Sound is vibration that causes resonance and rhythm in our bodies, touches us and influences our emotions like no other source of input or expression. Due to the demands of our daily lives, the increase in stress-related disease in modern society is of little wonder. Stress, which might be defined as “an overamping of the nervous system”, has many contributors. Many external as well as internal influences, i.e. foods we eat, people we encounter, thoughts we think, sounds we hear, environments we move within etc., have a proven effect on our well being. And so does a gong meditation.
The Gong is one of man’s oldest therapeutic instruments, and is used in yoga, sound meditation, and vibrational therapy from the distant past to present. The Gong is an ideal tool for stress reduction, stimulation of the glandular system, and as a facilitator to break up emotional blockages. Sound & music are nutrients for the nervous system. The auditory mechanism is a mega-portal to the brain and sonic tools empower health, learning and productivity. Due to its nature, the gong resonates all cells of the body simultaneously in a most powerful & effective way. The goal in all healing, meditative, spiritual and transformational pursuits is to raise an individuals’ vibratory frequency, and thereby changing a person’s nature of being, restoring the intrinsic state of balance.
As early as 4,000 B.C., throughout human history in various cultures, gongs have been used as ritual, ceremonial and sacred instruments. Ancient alchemy sources put the gong as far out as 16,000 B.C. The physical sound vibration of the gong provides an extraordinarily harmonizing and powerful vehicle for meditation & transformation that is mainly experiential in nature. Gongs and Himalayan singing bowls provide psycho-acoustic gateways to heightened states of awareness and consciousness.
From a sacred geometry viewpoint, a circle – the gong’s basic shape – represents a beginning that has no end. It is ever-expanding potential and represents our connection with the holographic nature of oneness. Throughout many traditions and cultures, it also stands as symbol for heaven, totality, perfection, unity, eternity, completeness and for inclusive harmony.
Consider the rippling effect of a pebble on a placid lake… and now picture the ripples of relaxing, meditative, soothing and energizing sound waves to reverberate through your entire body. While water is the dominant element of your body (about 50 – 65% and your brain rests in it), it is also an ideal conductor of the gong’s vibrational and transformative energy.
Recognized gong experts who have been studying and performing with gongs for decades believe that gongs have a powerful effect on the nervous system. “Scientific evidence suggests that sound affects the cell structure of living beings. Gongs are energy generators with a lot of inherent power in them. They are able to affect an individual on a cellular level, even a molecular level. Gongs open up your chakras and often release a lot of blocked energy, much like acupuncture or massage can do – it really is a sound massage.”
Marian’s sonic sessions are rhythmic sound bath meditations, a.k.a. gong bath or gong meditation, that explore the full range of frequencies within three large gong instruments, two Burmese whirling gongs (Kezees) and several Himalayan singing bowls. From shimmering explosive highs to deep mysterious lows, these mystical characteristics provide a vehicle for quieting and energizing of mind & body in a very unique fashion. He creates pictures with sound which provide excursions into otherworldly realms.
He performs his healing and transformational Gong Meditation at venues including Cadence Health’s Living Well Cancer Resource Center, The Theosophical Society in America, Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital’s Tau Center, the Cancer Wellness Center and multiple Yoga Studios, churches as well as corporate events. He furthermore facilitates private sessions and retreats as well as workshops. Please visit the events page to learn more about his upcoming gong meditation events and view photos of some of his passed gong meditation sessions.
Marian's sound healing immersions are sublime. From the first note of the tingsha to the low, building rhythms of the gongs, Marian's love and knowledge of his instruments is made clear. Through his playing, and sharing the healing spirit of the gongs, I was transported to a deeply peaceful and healing place...a place I hope to return to again through his beautiful offerings.–Katryn Lavanture, Santa Fe, NM
Everyone should treat themselves to a sound treatment with Marian. The waves of his gongs' vibrations carry the essence of our origin and provide a key to remembering who we are. Truly, truly a healing experience. –Catherine West, O.D., Houston, TX
Marian is a true master at creating a healing experience through the magic of his gong sound baths. Each event is unique and the effect is pure bliss. He is a gifted artist and shares his heart through the various sound vibrations that come through his playing of these amazing gongs!–Laura Jane Mellencamp, Owner, Yoga Among Friends, Downers Grove, IL
In addition to the soothing peacefulness to which others have so eloquently attested, as musicians we must say that Marian is masterful at creating a symphony of sound. The musical tapestry he creates is truly inspired, a highly developed composition being executed by an orchestra of one, washing the mind clean and renewing the soul. –Valerie & Michael Bollero, Musicians, Chicago, IL
What touches the most is nothing but vibration in its subtlest or its most tangible form which is “sound”. A Gong bath is one of the most beautiful treats one can give to themselves, the most non-violent, healthy and most effective way to realign the nervous system, or may I say, each nano-particle of our being. Marian Kraus takes us to this amazing journey with him where neither the time nor the space matters…It is not the sound of the gong but the silent spaces between the two which are a gateway to freedom! “Silent” and “listen” are made up of same letters which explains so much about them. Hope you take this journey over and over again with him and take a dip into the silence where you experience “The thrill in still and the still in thrill"! –Dr. Indu Arora, Founder, Yog Sadhna
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