Healing Through Sound- The Six Healing Sounds

One of the greatest contributions of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is understanding how our emotions affect our health. We intuitively know that stress, anger, worry, sadness, and fear don’t feel good. Qi gong views the world through the language of energy, and emotions are energy. Emotions are frequencies stored and recorded in your energy field. Fear-based frequencies attract negative energy, while love-based frequencies attract positive energy. 

Thousands of years ago, ancient healers looked to nature and they saw that humans and animals make specific sounds to release emotions in different situations. They discovered that the vibrations of certain sounds resonate with certain organs in the body. So we can use these sounds to clear organs of negative emotions and transform them into positive virtues:

Worry from the Spleen

Anger from the Liver

Fear from the Kidneys

Sadness from the Lungs

Resentment from the Heart

The History of Healing Sounds

According to some sources, healing sounds were recorded during the Qin Dynasty (221-207 BCE). Qi Gong masters explored the relationship between sound and healing; we have a natural tendency to use sound for healing. Ex. After stressful situations, most people issue a “sigh of relief” to release tension and return to calm. Once the natural and involuntary relationship between sound and healing were realized, they began to study how intentional sounds could elicit greater healing.

During the Sui Dynasty (590 to 618 CE), the Qi Gong master Zhi Zhuan identified 6 healing sounds with each one corresponding to a specific organ. Over time, these became known as the Six Healing Sounds because of their ability to purge noxious energy from the body. Eventually, six postures were developed to accompany the Six Healing Sounds, in order to activate the acupuncture meridians, or energy channels, of the organs.

Overheating of the Organs

Life in an urban society is full of physical and emotional stresses such as overcrowding, pollution, anxiety, loneliness, bad posture, and sudden or overly vigorous exercise. All kinds of waves stimulate our bodies and organs into hyperactivity. In addition, for many there is a lack of nature: trees, open spaces, and running water, which give forth a cooling, purifying energy. 

The circulation of our life-force energy becomes obstructed and unable to flow efficiently or easily. When negative energy cannot be expelled from the body, it is circulated and trapped in the organs.  Continued overheating causes an organ to contract and harden, impairing function and resulting in illness. The ancient Taoists have a saying: “Stress cooks your brain.”

Healing sounds speed up the release of heat through the digestive system and the mouth. As the sound is made, the heat given off by the organs is transferred out of the body. When all the sounds are done with care, the heat of the body is evenly distributed by the intestinal tract, and each of the organs regains its correct temperature. When the organ sounds are pronounced, the trapped energy in the organs is released and exchanged. The fresh energy releases or transforms negative emotions into more positive or lifegiving energy. 

Effects of Detoxification

It is common to experience yawning, moving of gas, or other mild symptoms. Some people may experience loose or very bad smelling bowel movements, tearing, more salivation. While they can be unpleasant at the time, these are all indications of ongoing detoxification and have positive effects overall.

Preparing for the Healing Sounds

• For maximum benefit, have proper posture.

• All sounds should be made slowly and evenly.

• Wait at least an hour after eating to begin the practice. 

• Choose a quiet spot and dress warmly enough not to be chilled. 

Organs and Sounds

Lung

Element: Metal Colour: White

Sound: Ssssssssssss (tongue behind teeth)

Emotions: Grief and sadness

Virtues: Courage and Rightousness

Kidney

Element: Water

Colour: Black

Sound: Chwooooooo (like blowing out a candle; lips forming an “o”)

Emotion: Fear

Virtues: Gentleness, Calmness, Stillness

Liver

Element: Wood

Colour: Green

Sound: Shhhhhhhhh (tongue near palate)

Emotion: Anger

Virtues: Kindness, Compassion

Heart

Element: Fire

Colour: Red

Sound: Haaawww (mouth wide open)

Emotions: Hastiness, arrogance, hatred

Virtues: Joy, Honour, Sincerity

Spleen

Element: Earth

Colour: Golden Orange

Sound: Whooooooo (from the throat, guttural)

Emotion: Worry

Virtues: Fairness, Openness

San Jiao (Triple Warmer/Triple Energizer)

Element: Fire

Sound: Heeeeeeee (from the throat, passing through the teeth)

Virtues: Regulation, Balance

There is no color, or emotion associated with SJ

Watch and follow along with the video to experience the healing power of sound.

Note: These are general recommendations and may not be appropriate for everyone. A TCM assessment with a licensed practitioner is recommended for suggestions best suited to you as an individual.

Learn More:

1. Qigong Flow with the Six Healing Sounds

2. Healing Sound Meditation

3. The 6 Healing Sounds and Their Therapeutic Applications

4. Effect of pestle needle combined with six healing sounds Qi Gong on inflammatory factors in patients with lumbar disc herniation