The Healing Power of the Voice: A Journey of Sound and Play

A few days ago, while sipping watermelon juice with a friend, we began talking about the fear of singing in front of others. We both agreed that it can be one of the scariest things for many people – ourselves included.

As humans, we are incredibly intricate and beautiful musical instruments, yet sharing the authenticity of our inner sounds is a practice that few of us truly allow ourselves to experience.

Through the gift of voice, we can learn so much about our fears, our beauty, and the deeper parts of ourselves that we may otherwise keep hidden.

One key that I’ve found miraculous is to begin by singing with people you trust. Gather with a friend, play some background music, and vocalize together. The intimacy and creative beauty in that experience is beyond words. You might find yourself lost in harmony, outside of time itself, letting your voice flow with tenderness, passion, and playfulness.

The second key is to release judgment. Let go of right or wrong, loud or quiet, and stop identifying with the sound itself. Whatever sounds come through, just play with them. Be curious. Stretch them, shorten them, explore their depths. You’ll discover an entire world of textures, colors, and evolving rhythms within.

Of course, you can also vocalize alone, which is meditative in its own right. At Humanspace, we work with an incredible soundscape artist, Entheo, who also creates soundscapes for the Gene Keys programs. Personally, when I play his music (as I am now), I find myself singing a few simple sounds. I don’t focus on words, but instead let my voice play with the sounds, allowing them to guide me to new territories of peace.

This practice always brings me back to a sense of calm. I let my voice guide me home.

Practice: If you’d like to try this, play a soundscape you enjoy (Entheo’s music works wonderfully, but any sound that inspires your voice will do). Close your eyes and let sounds flow from you. Soften inside those sounds. Allow yourself to be surprised. If it nourishes you, commit to vocalizing for a few minutes each day as a meditative practice. Let your voice open new doors within.