"It was so peaceful and quiet, that Vishnu slept protected by the coils of the great serpent,
until a great vibration and humming could be heard...Aummm." Hindu Creation Legend
My Instruments
Huasco
Of the many musical instruments that I use in my healing work, the Chimu water whistles seem to attract the most questions.
The pre-conquest name for these whistles was “huasco”. After the conquest, they became known by the Spanish name “silbadora”. They are occasionally referred to as “vacijas silbadoras” or, "chimu" after the culture that they are most commonly associated with. Archeological evidence indicates that the origin of these instruments dates back to 600 BCE and possibly older.
When used, the chambers of the huasco are filled about halfway with water. The instrument is then very slowly rocked back and forth. The rocking motion causes the air pressure to change in the chambers, and the resultant change in chamber-to-chamber air pressure causes the whistle to sound. Occasionally, a healer will blow directly into a huasco. This causes the whistle to sound with a bubbling undertone.
The huasco is the most sacred of all Peruvian sound healing instruments. This is because all five elements are present in its creation and use. Water and Earth, are it’s basic components. It is hardened in Fire, and it’s Sound is created by the combination of Air and Water. In the Peruvian sound healing tradition, Sound is the fifth element.
In theory, there are only three tones produced by the huascos. However, due to the inexact nature of the handwork required to create the whistle portion of the vessel, there are some inconsistencies of pitch and tone. It is possible that another factor could be variance in the size of the chambers.
The three tones represent the three interconnected and related worlds that make up the world in which we exist. These are; the Ki Pacha, the Present, or Middle World inhabited by humans, the Uhu Pacha, the Underworld, or the world within us, and the Hanan Pacha, which is the Overworld, the Future, the Dreamworld, and the place of the Community of Gods.
In a typical healing Ceremony, the huasco is toned in the space around and over the patient. At times it is also sounded when it is in contact with the patient’s body, often as it is rocked back and forth on the patient’s chest or stomach.
The huasco is not an instrument used to induce trance. That is, it is not designed to create a repetitive tone in order to sonically trigger theta waves and induce an altered state. It's ceremonial purpose is to initiate a relationship with Self and to transmit the elements and secrets of life.
Gongs
"The gong is the first and last instrument for the human mind....It is the basic creative sound. To the mind, the sound of the gong is a like a mother and father that gave it birth. The mind has no power to resist a gong that is well played." -Yogi Bhajan
Gongs are sacred, alchemical portals that link the finite and the infinite, and the worldly with the spiritual.When played with intent, these ancient shamanic healing tools become instruments of intensely profound healing.
The multi-layered harmonics of the Gong, powerfully resonate deep within the mind, effecting healing on both conscious and sub-conscious levels while cleansing and balancing spirit, mind, and body.
The Gong's deep, complex resonance triggers a suspension of linear time. This allows both chaos and order to co-exist in the mind, bringing about a state of creative meditation in which internal blockages, conflicts, and traumas, can be resolved, dissolved, and healed.
