Discover the link of environmental sound and internal resonance of body and mind.
Benefits
Deep listening to everyday sounds builds a strong link in the body and mind to the present moment. It is a useful and accessible tool of (self-)training awareness.
Example
With a group of participants, we went out for a listening soundwalk. We were in a group, but kept silent, focusing on sounds around us, with the only task – to memorise sounds in a sequence. We made a half an hour loop in the park. Returning back, everyone was asked to draw a soundmap of the walk. After fifteen minutes we had individual presentations of each map. Though we all walked in a group and were exposed to the same sounds, none of the maps was the same!
Variations
Reduced
Listen to 5-10 minutes recording of nature or city, (but not music) and ask students to describe particular sounds they have heard.
Extended
Make a few listening sessions in different locations. Stand silently in a circle and listen for 5-10 minutes, no talking during, after or between listening. Then go for a soundwalk. After presenting soundmaps let people share experiences.
Online
Playback three recordings of environments (not music), 5 min each, short fade-outs between. Choose different recordings that are not alike. Ask participants to make keyword notes on each recording during listening. Afterwards, ask each to present what he/she heard, based on notes – 3 minutes each.
Possible traps
Choose environments and recordings very carefully - those should be neither basic nor too extraordinary. It should not be boring, or too fun - find balance.
Work seriously, but stay light. Care for small details, but don’t lose the wholeness.
The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.