A Study to Explore the Effects of Sound Vibrations on Consciousness

Abstract

Sound is a form of energy produced by vibrations caused by movement of particles. Sound can travel through solids (such as metal, wood, membranes), liquids (water) and gases (air). The sound vibrations that reach our ear are produced by the movement of particles in the air surrounding the source of sound. The movement or vibration of particles produces waves of sound. Sound waves are longitudinal and travel in the direction of propagation of vibrations. The pitch of sound is related directly to its frequency, which is given by the number of vibrations or cycles per second. The higher the pitch of sound, the higher is its frequency, and the lower the pitch, the lower is its frequency. Human ear can hear sounds of frequencies ranging from 20-20,000 cycles per second (or Hertz-Hz). Sound waves can be visually seen and studied using 'Chladni' plates, which was devised and experimented by Ernst Chladni, a famous physicist with a passion for sound/music. In this experiment the source of sound is connected via a wave driver to the Chladni metal plate with fine sand strewn on it. The sound vibrations cause the plate to vibrate at the same frequency, which causes movement of the sand particles to form patterns of the sound generated. The visual patterns comprise of nodes or regions where the sand particles accumulate, and antinodes or regions where the sand particles drift away from. Each frequency of sound causes a particular pattern to be formed on the plate. The study of wave phenomena is also called 'Cymatics' (Raghu, 2016). Sound vibrations can come in contact physically through the body and have an effect on our consciousness at the mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Sounds that are musical can be categorized as consonant sounds that are pleasant, and dissonant sounds that are unpleasant or not so pleasant. Musical sounds are comprised of notes in increasing or decreasing order of pitch (frequency). The interval between notes can give rise to consonance and dissonance. Example, an interval of an octave-a range of seven notes-is said to be consonant, whereas an interval between adjacent notes can be dissonant. These are studied by experimenting with musical notes and intervals, their visual patterns and their effect on consciousness. While consonant intervals can cause happiness, joy, courage or calmness, dissonant intervals can cause tension, anger, fear or sadness, thereby affecting the emotional aspect of consciousness.