The Encyclopedia of Crystals, Herbs, and New Age Elements: An A to Z Guide to New Age Elements and How to Use Them - Adams Media 2016

Gong
The Power of Sound

ORIGINS

A gong is a musical instrument that consists of a metal (usually bronze) disk that makes a loud, resonant sound when struck with a padded mallet or hammer. The disk generally has a rim and either is flat or has a raised knob called a “boss” or “nipple” in the center. Gongs are usually suspended vertically from a cord, although there are also gongs that are played horizontally, such as bowl gongs.

HISTORY/LORE

The gong originated in China and later spread to Southeast Asia and Africa. Ancient gongs had many uses, including calling workers in from the fields, announcing military presence, and aiding in meditation and ceremonial practices. Gongs are prominently featured in gamelans, which are Indonesian orchestras composed entirely of percussion instruments. Sculptural gongs serve as both a musical instrument and a piece of art.

USES

The sound of a gong adds a new dimension to meditation and other spiritual practices. The tone keeps your mind focused in the present and, depending on the size of the gong, the vibration can sometimes be felt physically, bringing awareness back to the body. One very popular New Age practice is the gong bath. This is a form of sound therapy in which a gong master plays a gong in the center of a room while “bathers” lie on the ground around the gong and soak up the sound and vibration. It’s best to do this in a private or group setting with an actual gong so you can “feel” its power, but you can also try it at home with recorded gong sounds.