A World of Sound I, ways to go deeper into listening

In 2012, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in study with Pauline Oliveros in upstate NY. While in this multi-day symposium, we practiced sound walks every day barefoot in the grass from the class pavilion to the lake and nearby areas. We listened actively even through the soles of our feet. We tuned into the air humming through the trees and the wildlife rustling below. Through our skin and the portal that is the heart, we learned to actively listen and to listen deeply. With each step, we immersed further into the present moment, becoming acutely aware of the tones and textures we were experiencing around us and the rhythm of our journey.  

These walking meditations or sound walks can be thought of as a yogic practice, an artistic craft, and an immersive activity. To walk with our intention set to enhance our focus and actively listen to the environment we are physically a part of during the exercise is to find a great calm ocean of textural and vibrational bliss, both inside, out, and also in the peripheral. The rhythm of our breath is similar to that of the ocean, undulating in the background, offering us a soft drone. Like the ocean itself, it can be deeply transformative or soft and serene. We tune in to the wind the way the trees do and feel within each movement a deepening connection with the natural world around us as our energetic roots support us on the path, understanding us the way the earth understands a tree as if it exists simply to hold her. Our breath sets the rhythm of our experiences as we take each and every step.

I approach a walking meditation as a way to get physical exercise, as well as a craft that taps into creativity, especially rhythmic creativity, which is a huge passion of mine. In 2012, Pauline usually, if not always, had us begin with a tai chi/movement session. Via the active portal of movement, we began tapping into the flow of energy around and within us all while also utilizing the breath to ground and create awareness. We practiced letting the nervous system regulate and allow a state of relaxation, which opened us to experience ourselves and our surroundings more fully in the physical reality. In this way, we dropped in and let the listening begin. Hearing each foot fall onto the cool earth, tracing paths from one step to the next. We listened to insects singing a chorus of night song or birds relaying love songs at dawn. We heard squirrel chatter and the snapping of twigs or leaves rustling. We hear the ocean of wind whistling through the hemlocks. We hear distant cars or a train thundering nearby. When I’m at home in Buffalo, I hear the city, lawn mowers growling, and AC units buzzing, sirens, cars, and other humans as I filter through it all, finding the pulse. I often escape to the natural setting of a park for these walks in order to experience nature more fully. 

Once you begin moving through space and time, bring in the sounds around you and actually take note of what you are hearing and how your body and mind are responding. Do you notice how the sounds change as you approach, pass, and walk away from the source? Are their conversations happening? Is the wind calm? Do you hear that each type of tree might have a different way of playing audibly in the wind? Check in on your breathing and continue to carry this focus for a short or medium duration of 3-7 minutes. You’ll notice things you most likely never have. Notice what thoughts come up to interrupt the mind, and simply let them go. Return to your intention and repeat as you wish along your walk. My walks generally range from 1.5 – 4 miles, and if I’m hiking, 4 – 8 miles. I do not practice this the entire time at all, and I encourage you to take breaks. Journaling about your experience is a solid way to build a practice of sound walks for generating more creativity in your day-to-day and for the mood boost offered by the activity.  

Deep Listening is a mindfulness practice, a movement practice, a meditation, a craft, an artform, a journey told by sound held by the container of being present. I had already been studying The Musical Universe and Nada Brahma with Ty Burhoe so I was prepared for tuning up this skill and I was so invigorated by the whole experience of this learning with Pauline. The Deep Listening became our every minute of every day and we were always actively taking part even in our dream state we held this intention. Pauline Oliveros (1932-2016) was an American composer and artist who defied genre and embodied sound in such a visionary new way, an absolute pioneer in the field of musical improvisation and listening. For more information on Pauline’s work check out The Center for Deep Listening.