The Entrainment
Transformation Principle
A physics phenomenon of resonance, first observed in the 17th century, has an effect on all of us.
Entrainment is defined as the tendency for two oscillating bodies to lock into phase so that they
vibrate in harmony. It is also defined as a synchronization of two or more rhythmic cycles.
The principle of entrainment is universal, appearing in chemistry, pharmacology, biology, medicine,
psychology, sociology, astronomy, architecture and more. The classic example shows individual
pulsing heart muscle cells.
When they are brought close together, they begin pulsing in synchrony. Another example of the
entrainment effect is women who live in the same household often find that their menstrual cycles will coincide.
Discovery of Entrainment.
The history of entrainment is linked to Dutch scientist, Christian Huygens in 1665.
While working on the design of the pendulum clock, Huygens found that when he placed two of them
on a wall near each other and swung the pendulums at different rates, they would eventually end up
swinging in at the same rate. This is due to their mutual influence on one another.
Musical Entrainment.
The entrainment process is quite evident in music. It is possible to have rhythmic entrainment,
melodic entrainment and dynamic entrainment. Entrainment music has the potential to
(1) resonate with the listener’s feelings, (2) transform negativity into positivity,
and (3) promote a state of liveliness or serenity.
Certain sounds, in specific sequence can help bring the listener from one place to another.
The special music from Sound Feelings has been developed with the entrainment transformation principle in mind.
It creates a type of sound “mirror” that first reflects the current stress or turmoil of the listener, and later reflects
the desired mood and feeling. As the music gradually transforms, its resolution may be experienced in the listener,
physically or emotionally.
Like Music “Medicine.”
The word “medicine” is often thought of as a way to bring comfort and relief, through a process
which may in itself be somewhat discomforting. Like bitter medicine, this is essentially how to describe
Sound Feelings Music for Transformation. Many people do not like the initial “taste” of this music,
but they like how they feel after they have heard it!
Creates a “Sound Mirror.”
The musical entrainment process creates a type of sound “mirror” that first reflects the current stress
or turmoil of the listener, and later reflects the desired mood and feeling. As the music gradually transforms,
its resolution may be experienced in the listener, physically or emotionally.
Health Professional
Integration Guidelines
Sound Feelings audio programs are greatly enhanced when used under the guidance of health professionals.
Health practitioners will find it useful to integrate our sound healing music into a more comprehensive treatment plan.
The following guidelines should assist with this goal.
Background Information.
Our healing music programs can be greatly enhanced when they are used under the guidance
of supportive health professionals. These guidelines are given to inspire the therapist rather than limit.
Please feel free to develop your own nuances in using the tapes. In fact, if any of the suggestions do not work for you,
do not be limited by them.
Because of the “entrainment” process, some of the music may not please the ear.
But these tense passages gradually transform into calmer ones. This is why it is so important to listen responsively,
all the way through, without interruption, so the resolution in the music might be realized by the listener.
Therefore, the health professional’s role begins with an education process — to explain that this is special music,
and that it requires a new way of listening.
PLEASE NOTE: these guidelines for health professionals should be referenced for usage ideas IN ADDITION
to the basic listening suggestions associated with each title.
Guidelines for Support.
- Listening before a therapy session can have the effect of relaxing the patient, thus making him or her more
receptive to other treatment/therapy.
- Listening after a therapy session can have the effect of a non-verbal adjunct to help integrate what was just
discovered in the therapy session.
- Listening during a therapy session can be effective because a sympathetic therapist can prepare the listener
to confront a certain block/challenge/stress. This will be seen/heard/felt in the music and as the music transforms,
a corresponding transformation can be experienced in the listener. The advantage of having a therapist immediately
there is to help process anything that might have come up for the listener. Please be sensitive to the individual
nature of each patient. Some people are visually oriented, aurally oriented, or tactilely oriented. In other words,
the big advantage in this approach over guided imagery tapes and the like, is that some people just cannot
“visualize” things. Here they are free to feel them or hear them instead.
The unique process of the individual should be encouraged and respected.
- Group listening is very powerful because there is a feeling of safety in numbers. This can be an occasional component
to a listening program. The disadvantage is that you cannot give as much individual attention.
Also, some of the biggest breakthroughs occur when the patient is completely uninhibited,
and there may be a bit of embarrassment in a group setting.
- Listening alone gives the patient this opportunity to be uninhibited.
Yet, longtime fears of expressing oneself may still prevent him or her from being able to react freely in response to the music.
