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pursued the therapeutic possibilities of sound ever since. The evening I attended there were perhaps 15 other "bathers," all but one a woman, and about one third of us there for our fi rst sound bath. We sat on mats in what would have been a typical yoga studio save for the array of mul- tiple gongs covering one wall and the display of Tibetan singing bowls on a table at the front of the room. Bechtold began by asking how many of us were new, and provided a brief explana- tion of what to expect. We were encouraged to simply lay back and relax, in whatever position was most comfort- able; To remain "present" and not be alarmed should different emotions surface more or less unbidden. "Bath" turns out to be an excellent metaphor for what Bechtold and her gongs produce. It is absolutely a visceral experience with the waves of sound physically cascading down and washing over your body. Sound is propagated much more effi ciently in water than in air, and our bodies are 70 percent water. With shimmering waves of sound rippling over and through me the fact of our liquid selves could not have been more evident. But even more than the physical, the mental effect was noticeable and dramatic. In meditation circles there is a clear distinction between "mindful" meditation, where the goal is focused directed thought, and "mind emptying" meditation, where the goal is no thought at all. A sound bath, for me, was defi nitely a path to the latter. I have some experience with the "sensory deprivation tanks" and the mental state and experience they produce. Though counter intuitive I found the mental effect of the sound bath, and the sensory deprivation tank to be remarkably similar. Where the tank removes all stimulation and possible distraction allowing the brain become quiet, the sound bath seems to entirely occupy your brain with sonic stimu- lation overwhelming it into the same sort of quietude. In both cases my preferred metaphor is a "mental reboot", or "maintenance program." The sound bath, like the tank, left me feeling "cleansed," "reorganized" and refreshed. There are a lot of products out there purporting to help you relax and reduce stress. Most come with a host of side effects, or are of dubious provenance and effectiveness. Now with science beginning to understand the heal- ing properties of sound intuited by the ancients over 2,000 years ago, a far more benign and possibly even more effective alternative may begin to get its due. We are nationally awarded and recognized for providing world-class care thanks to our outstanding physicians, who work tirelessly every day to keep our patients, and community, healthy. Your well-being is their top priority. To fi nd a doctor, call (800) 903-9233. www.huntingtonhospital.org Where the top doctors come to work. hmh721 pasadena mag top docs-2.indd 1 7/12/17 4:34 PM 134 SEPTEMBER 2017 B O D Y, M I N D A N D S P I R I T HEALTH & WELLNESS