Music as a healing practice
Exploring Sound as a Pathway to Calm, Connection, and Inner Strength
I’ve been thinking a lot about sound and music as a therapeutic medium, and I wanted to share some reflections with you.
The power of sound has been a source of fascination and a recurring theme in my life for as long as I can remember. In addition to the emphasis on visual art in my family growing up, music was an integral part of our daily life. Music of all kinds, from around the world, played continuously, and attending symphony performances or concerts was a cherished experience.
I embraced the study of languages and often spent hours repeating the sounds of human speech. (Yes, I was a bit nerdy… but I truly loved it, and still do.) Even in college, I noticed how several of my classes, though in completely different disciplines, centered around sound in some way.
Most of us can relate to the transportive power of music or the calming effect of a beloved person’s voice. We recognize the soothing rhythm of rainfall, the peaceful hum of a contented cat, the musicality of language, and the symphony of the natural world around us.
Sound is a magnificent force that we can harness in our work to navigate life alongside chronic pain.
During a time when my pain was at its most acute and debilitating, I listened to slow, calming music to help steady my heart rate and soothe my nervous system.
This practice tempered the panic that sometimes threatened to overwhelm me when the pain felt unbearable. I intentionally chose music featuring extended chants from various spiritual traditions — music with repeated phrases that I could sing along with and breathe through.
I found that the extended phrases helped regulate my breath and carried me gently from one moment to the next. I built a collection of such chants and made this meditative practice a daily ritual, eventually seeking out new ones to learn and explore.
A dear friend introduced me to a very old, very long chant emphasizing compassion, dedication, and remembrance of our inner greatness. Over many months, I practiced this chant for hours each day until I had memorized it fully.
The act of learning and singing this chant brought me a profound sense of accomplishment and transcendent calm.
It gave me something meaningful and life-affirming to focus my energy on during one of the most challenging times of my life.
To this day, I sing this chant and others daily as part of my mindfulness practice — a simple but powerful dedication to peace.
Even when I'm not actively singing, there is almost always uplifting or soothing music playing in my home.
In addition to listening to music, we can also utilize the power of our own voices — through humming, singing, repeating a mantra, or chanting — to elevate our awareness and enter spaces that pain cannot diminish.
Giving the mind and nervous system a new focus can be incredibly healing and empowering.
If focusing on a mantra feels new or intimidating, here’s something freeing to know:
Anything can become a mantra if you desire.
A single word, a meaningful phrase, or even a favorite line from a song can serve as a touchstone for focused breathwork and mindful repetition.
The phrase itself doesn’t have to be spiritual — what makes it a spiritual experience is your combination of breath, focus, intention, and openness.
For example, the simple phrase "so be it" can become a beautiful practice.
You might recite it slowly, noticing the flow of breath that generates the sound, and tuning into the resonance in your body as you say it.
Adding soft background music can deepen the sensory experience.
The meaning of the phrase is deeply relevant to living with chronic pain:
It invites acknowledgment of the pain’s presence without giving it dominion over your spirit.
While singing and chanting have been deeply healing for me, harnessing the power of sound doesn’t have to center around the voice if that’s not your preference.
There are endless ways to incorporate sound and music as a therapeutic practice.
Each of us has a unique relationship with sound, and what a beautiful gift it is to design your own rituals of healing.
As you move through your journey with chronic pain, I invite you to explore these questions:
In what ways does music or sound serve as a source of deep focus or healthy distraction for you?
How do you utilize music or sound to uplift or calm yourself?
Might the sounds of nature (rainfall, birdsong, ocean waves) find a place in your home environment or bedtime routine?
If you play an instrument, could it become a pathway for meditative practice?
How might sound and music become even more central in your life, both for daily joy and for navigating the complexities of living with chronic pain?
I wish you a fun and meaningful exploration of sound and music.
May you discover a powerful and beautiful pathway to peace, strength, and joy.
🌸
In gentleness and bravery, we forge onward. 💛
– Julie