I recently took part in an online Sound as Medicine workshop with Phyllicia Victoria organized by the Omega Institute, and it was truly an amazing experience.
As mentioned in prior emails, the last eighteen months have been the most challenging period of my adult life.
I’ve traversed the country several times to support my father during his brain cancer treatment. In addition, I’ve been homeschooling my eldest son, adjusting to transitions in my profession, and recently facing estrangement from someone close to me.
Life seemed burdensome, overwhelming, and relentless, prompting me to rely on self-care practices like walking in nature and reading in the bathtub for equilibrium.
After participating in this workshop, I believe sound baths ought to be a consistent aspect of my routine.
Regarding Phyllicia—she’s a musician, yoga instructor, reiki practitioner, and sound healer. I came across her narrative about feeling broken, isolated, and unworthy, grappling with trust issues on her website, which struck a chord with me.
She commenced leading sound baths as they assisted in calming her thoughts and stilling her mind.
This workshop provided me with the same sense of tranquility. Phyllicia’s calming voice, inspiring words, and the resonant, entrancing sounds created a genuinely transcendent experience.
Following the session, she guided us through gentle movements and stretches and then encouraged us to journal about our meditation experiences.
I started by jotting down the words that surfaced:
– Release
– Peace
– Spaciousness
– Ease
– Clarity
– Calmness
– Gratitude
Then I penned:
I experienced relief from the anxious thoughts that had previously held me captive. The sound transported me in a way that mere words could not. I felt the vibrations intensely, purging the noise in my mind and crafting space to exist without judgment.
As other sounds emerged—some from her surroundings and others from mine, like my father moving and turning on the kitchen faucet—my mind simply thought, “No judgment—just new sounds.”
I reminded myself to acknowledge them, blended with the soothing sounds of singing bowls and chimes, and then release them without believing they “shouldn’t” belong to the experience.
What a remarkable life practice. Frequently, dissonance is perceived more than harmony, but sometimes it’s the other way around. Being able to teach the mind to perceive dissonance without becoming lost in it is a gift, facilitating a return to focusing on the beautiful and healing.
—
The journaling session came to an end, and I bypassed the Q&A to preserve the space I’d established within myself.
Sound baths are said to soothe the nervous system, alleviate stress, and ease tension and physical discomfort. I can see why. I concluded feeling profoundly relaxed, both mentally and physically, and more equipped for the day ahead.
I’m thankful for my partnership with Omega, as I truly appreciate what they provide.
I’m grateful they have dedicated a page of free resources specifically for the Tiny Buddha community, available [here](https://www.eomega.org/begin-your-pause).
If you’re thinking about attending a workshop at their New York campus this summer, here are a few captivating options:
– [Get Healthy with Sound: Tuning Forks & Voice for Vibrant Health](https://www.eomega.org/workshops/get-healthy-sound)
– [The Journey Inward: Frequency, Neuroscience & Longevity](https://www.eomega.org/workshops/journey-inward)
– [Holotropic Breathwork: Sacred Geometry & the Healing Nature of Mandalas](https://www.eomega.org/workshops/holotropic-breathwork-0)
If you missed my previous email, here are some programs I recommended last month:
– [Omega’s emotional resilience workshops](https://www.eomega.org/collections/emotional-resilience-workshops-tools-navigating-lifes-challenges), focusing on mental training, healing from betrayal and toxic relationships, and more,
– [Omega’s nervous system regulation workshops](https://www.eomega.org/collections/nervous-system-regulation-workshops-healing-balance-resilience), offering programs on accessing neuroplasticity, healing your nervous system, and more.
That’s a snapshot from their campus above. I would join an in-person workshop in an instant, knowing it’s a haven for meaningful connection and profound healing.
If you’ve been feeling as I have, check out the [free resources](https://www.eomega.org/begin-your-pause), and if you partake in a workshop, I would love to hear about your experience!