Science tells us that humans are energy beings, made up of atoms, as is everything else on Earth. As such, “Everything is in a state of vibration. Everything is frequency.” So states Jonathan Goldman, MA, internationally recognized writer, musician, teacher and pioneer in the field of harmonics and sound healing. For years Goldman has explored the ability of sound and harmonics to create vibration changes in the physical body and in the mental, emotional and etheric bodies.

We will discuss two works by Goldman in this month’s Book Talk. His newest work, co-written with his wife, Andi Goldman, a licensed psychotherapist, is Tantra of Sound (Hampton Roads Publishing Co., 2005). His equally interesting earlier work is Healing Sounds: The Power of Harmonics (Element Books, Inc., 1992, 1996).

I’ve chosen to discuss the two works together because although there are some parallels in content, each book offers a slightly different perspective on Sound Healing. Depending on readers’ knowledge of the subject or their intent, they might prefer one book to the other. On the other hand, they might enjoy reading them both, as I did. We’ll discuss them separately with occasional mention when the content in each is similar.

If you are largely unfamiliar with music or sound therapy, I would recommend that you read Healing Sounds first. In this earlier work Jonathan Goldman provides the broad scientific and historic background for the concept of healing with music and sound. It is indeed an ancient therapy going back to the Mystery Schools of Egypt, Greece and Rome.

Goldman explains his own personal experiences with sound and offers scientific research to support statements such as, “Sound can change molecular structure. It can create forms... We can change our vibrational rate through our own self-generating sounds.” An amazing point is: “In groups, sacred sound can influence not only ourselves and those around us, but can adjust the planet to a new level of consciousness.”

In particular Healing Sounds focuses on the ability of harmonics to create vibrational changes.” Goldman says, “The purpose of the book is to link interdisciplinary, multi-cultural, sacred and scientific approaches to sound through harmonics.” Non-musicians need not be put off by the few technical references in this book. Goldman defines his terms and keeps most of the “Science of Harmonics” to one quite readable and fascinating chapter.

He explains “harmonics” as a phenomenon of sound, also known as “overtones.” Overtones may be a new concept to most readers. You might choose to skip the few pages of details about overtones. But to understand much of Goldman’s healing technique, you need a general understanding of overtones. Basically, whenever sound is created, most of us hear what seems like single tones. Actually nearly all tones produced by musical instruments and the human voice contain mixtures of tone frequencies, all higher than the fundamental sounded tone. Most of us don’t consciously hear those tones, but Goldman’s book helps us become aware, at least, that they do exist.

Here is a simple experiment I learned some time ago that allows me to hear an overtone. If you have a piano available, gently press down Middle C and hold it (do not make it sound). Now with your other hand, strike the C below middle C. You will hear that lower C note, but you will also hear an “echo” of the middle C note (frequency) even though you haven’t played that note. That middle C echo is an overtone.

Now, returning to Goldman’s Healing Sounds, we learn many aspects of the use of sound as a healing tool in cultures and various techniques around the world. In particular, if readers would like to know the background of these practices and how they work, this book answers those questions. Goldman at one point quotes musician and therapist Steven Halpern, PhD, who says, “Sound is a carrier wave of consciousness. This means that depending upon where an individual’s awareness is placed when he creates a certain sound, the sound will carry information on that state to the person receiving it.” Goldman reiterates, “Through resonance, it is possible for the vibrations of one vibrating body to reach out and set another body into motion.”

An extremely important point for Goldman involves the intention of the healer or person making the sound. He explains that different people respond to different sounds or frequencies. Hence, a vital element is clearly intention. He presents a formula: “FREQUENCY + INTENTION = HEALING.” The second formula for his technique is: “VISUALIZATION + VOCALIZATION = MANIFESTATION.” The book in its entirety provides support and examples related to these two formulas.

Other chapters discuss the use of harmonics in occult or esoteric studies, including the Kabbala, the use of quartz crystals, Sufi chanting and Gregorian chanting. Another chapter discusses harmonics in shamanism, including Mongolian overtone chanting, Mayan creation of light through harmonics, Australian Aborigine use of the didjeridu and Native American songs and chants.

One chapter deals with harmonics and meditation and listening as transformation. A good part of this chapter reports on the use of sound by physicians, such as the notable healing work done by Alfred Tomatis, MD. a French physician specializing in otolarygology (ear, nose, throat). Tomatis worked with the importance of listening for 45 years, identifying sounds which “tire and fatigue” listeners and sounds which “charge” and energize the nervous system. Goldman also reports on kinesiology studies of the relationship of sounds as they affect the human body. The chapter called Harmonics and Healing: The Medicine of the Future is not to be missed.

Three chapters in Healing Sounds present directions for the reader to use vowel sounds to help heal themselves or others. The directions are clear and easy to follow. It is clear, however, that this book is predominantly informative. If, however, the reader already knows the background and research for music and sound therapy and would prefer more hands-on, self-help direction, that is when I would recommend Jonathan and Andi Goldman’s new book, Tantra of Sound.

First, one needs to clarify a point about that title. In the Western world many people interpret the word “tantra” or “tantric” to be synonymous with sex. Immediately, the Goldmans explain their use of the word and that “Tantra of Sound is an exploration of sound as a vehicle for self-awareness.” They explain that “Tantra is Sanskrit with a number of meanings, and it is “often translated as ‘continuum’ or ‘unbroken stream’ (indicating) ‘a flow of consciousness from ignorance to enlightenment.’ The word also translates as ‘web’ or ‘warp’ and encompasses all that is.”

The Goldmans’ intention with this book is “to assist the reader in reaching deeper states of consciousness and awareness, first with yourself and then, if appropriate, with a partner.” Based upon what we learned from Jonathan Goldman’s earlier work, Healing Sounds, we can see the direction of this new focus as he and his wife develop multiple exercises and techniques in sound intended to help others lead a happier, healthier, more balanced life.

In this book the Goldmans summarize some of the background information about the power of sound, the historical and scientific work in the past, with a new focus on the vibrational body and a discussion of the chakra system. That chakra system will form a foundation for a number of the sound exercises throughout the book. The authors also recap the importance of intention, noting “Intent is the energy behind the sound. It is the consciousness we have when making and projecting a sound.” Goldman provides directions to readers about how to focus intent as well as scientific research to support the use of intent.

The final three-quarters of the book contains directions for “toning” or “sounding” for the purpose of developing self-awareness and balance. These chapters include explanations of the science of breath, toning (the use of elongated vowel sounds to create resonance, harmony and balance) and the use of the “Ah” sound. Further chapters discuss the “sacred vowels” and where they resonate in the body and the chakras.

A section of the book provides directions for practicing toning or sound exercises, with another person. Other sections inform readers about overtones and other sounds and the application of different sounds and music. One very important point the Goldmans make is that “because we are all unique vibratory beings... what works for one person may not work for another.” In relation to this point they briefly discuss the psychology of music and the factors that we should consider when we choose music for whatever reason. Our purpose in relation to the music is all important. Unfortunately, “very few people are aware of the power of music.” Often, our ignorance of that power can be detrimental to our health and well-being. This book helps us become aware of that fact.

Both books, Healing Sounds and Tantra of Sound are intriguing and informative. The Goldmans say, “It has been our desire to create an educational and entertaining book, one that is readable, user-friendly, and easy to understand.” Clearly they have succeeded. Some readers may choose to read one or the other of these works, based upon their interests and intention. I enjoyed them both.

Healing Sounds contains an excellent Bibliography and Discography. Tantra of Sound provides appendices: one providing information on “tools of the trade,” such as tuning forks, quartz crystal bowls and Tibetan bells; the other, recommendations for books and music. Tantra of Sound also includes a CD with recorded examples of the sound exercises delineated in the text. Both books have excellent indexes for reference purposes.

Jonathan Goldman is director of The Sound Healers Association Inc. in Boulder, Colorado. He lectures and gives workshops throughout the world on the therapeutic and transformational uses of sound and music. The Goldmans can be reached at www.healingsound.com, email info@healingsounds.com, call (303) 443-8181 or write PO Box 2240, Boulder, CO 80306.

Gayl Woityra, a retired high school English and Humanities teacher, now resides in Arizona where she continues to pursue her eclectic metaphysical studies in consciousness, the Ageless Wisdom, astrology, flower essences, music, color and alternative medicine.