Gong bath meditation is a different way to meditate. I have recently attended two gong bath meditations with Kenny Kolter of Buffalo Grove, Illinois. He plays the gong differently each time going with the energy of the group.
I always enjoy music but I was not sure how I would like listening to one hour of the gong. Kenny had a gong and a drum. We brought our sleeping bag and a pillow. Everyone arranged their bags on the floor with our head facing the gong. He told us that by having our head facing the gong the sound washed over the entire body. I was with several friends so it seemed very comfortable. I would suggest bringing a friend if you are timid about new situations.
As he played, I felt the sound in different parts of my body. I felt it in my head, then my throat, and down my arms. My hands and feet felt energy. At one point I felt it move through my entire digestive system. I felt very peaceful and relaxed. When he stopped playing everyone present felt like it was just a few minutes. Time seems to pass quickly. I felt energized and peaceful.
Many of the people present felt the energy move through different body parts just as I did. I thought that was very interesting. They felt it in their throat when I felt it in my throat. Several of us felt it in our digestive track at the same time.
My second gong meditation was this week. It was a different group of people. I felt the music in different parts of my body again. I also had a strong desire to get up and dance. I did move from laying to sitting. I was amazed at how quickly the time passed.
Kenny was saying that the gong helps you to meditate because the sound surrounds you.
I did experience ear pain at one point but was able to breath through the sound and the pain passed. Several other people had this experience also.
The best part of the experience is that the time is all about yourself. There is no work to be done, no phone or computer to distract, no tv, no children. Everyone that I attended with felt sad that the hour passed so quickly.
If you can find a gong bath meditation near you, I would recommend that you try it. Meditation is just time for you and your body. In this hectic world it can be just what we need to become centered.
Blessings, Eileen