11/04/2021
The sound of ocean waves crashing on a shore is considered primordial sound. Science suggests that the rhythm of ocean waves and tides coming in and out can affect the rhythm of the neuronal “waves” in our brain, encouraging a more peaceful pace of thought. Being near to or hearing the ocean is recognised as bringing a sense of calm and perspective.
Some scientists refer to the sounds of water as “white noise,” in which we can hear any number of things and we are able to let go of our thoughts and let the noise wash over us. In listening to these sounds during meditation, we learn how to be present in the moment and directly experience things as they are instead of getting lost in rumination.
Michael Wenger, dean of Buddhist studies at the San Francisco Zen Center, tells us that, "Moving water is 'white noise,' in which you can hear many things. Each individual may hear a different song in the water. Just listening to the sound--not tying it to anything, just letting sound wash over you--is a way of letting go of your ideas and directly experiencing things as they are." This notion is exemplified in Hermann Hesse's Siddhartha, one of the most important works of 20th-century Buddhist fiction. In it, the title character, while meditating upon the sound of a river and its "many-voiced song," has a life-changing experience, whereupon he ceases to fight against his destiny and thus achieves enlightenment.
Some possible benefits of listening to the sound of the sea:
- Feeling calmer, more relaxed.
- Helps to induce sleep.
- Improved ability to think and meditate.
- Enhanced problem-solving.
- Reprocess information stored in subconscious.