Sounds of Healing (Hardcover)

by Mitchell L. Gaynor (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
When New York hematologist-oncologist Gaynor took (tm)dsal, a Tibetan monk, as a patient, he began learning about Tibetan medicine, especially its singing bowls. Here he describes metal and crystal bowls and their uses, how one creates a "life song," and other vital elements of healing with sound. Gaynor was already acquainted with various forms of complementary medicine and had learned how to combine some non-Western beliefs and processes with those of Western medicine. In this open-minded book he informatively recounts how he and his patients have benefited from those combinations. Drawing on Candace Pert's pioneering work in psychoneuroimmunology, Gaynor emphasizes the importance of "mind-body unity," rather than the more frequently cited conception of "mind-body connection," pointing out many ways in which "we ourselves are rhythm." He discusses entrainment, harmony, and homeostasis, and he shows how physiology can be changed by music. Case histories add personal touches and attest the uniqueness of each patient. William Beatty

From Kirkus Reviews
That music hath charms to soothe the savage breast is argued persuasively in this highly personalized presentation on the use of sound and music as healing tools by a mainstream physician. Gaynor, director of medical oncology at the Strang-Cornell Cancer Prevention Center in New York City, tells of his discovery of the healing power of sound through one of his patients, a Tibetan monk who taught him sacred chants and played the Tibetan singing bowls for him. The experience, he says, led him to explore harmonics as a powerful healing force. Here he explains the techniques he uses with his patients and the philosophy behind the practice. While providing numerous confidence-building stories about his own and his patients experiences, Gaynor also cites research to back up his assertion that harmony can be restored to the disharmonious, or diseased, body with bells, vocalizations, and other forms of music. Among the techniques he has developed is the chanting of life songs, rhythmic, one-syllable mantras, and he suggests ways to create ones own life song and incorporate it into meditation. In preparation for this, he recommends practicing deep breathing and toning (the vocalization of simple vowel sounds), and straightforward instructions for these are also given. A student of Sufi philosophy, the author speaks frequently of ones essence, or life force, and he promotes an exercise called Energetic Re-creation designed to enable one to achieve a higher spiritual level. For those who find this a bit over the top, there is always guided imagery with music. Gaynor recommends getting in touch with ones emotions by combining guided imagery exercises with listening to selections from Beethoven, Brahms, and other classical composers, whose works he categorizes into earth, air, water, and fire music. Enthusiastic advocacy of an approach to healing likely to be most appealing to those already familiar with and open to New Age thinking. ($40,000 ad/promo) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Broadway; 1st edition (June 8, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0767902653
• ISBN-13: 978-0767902656
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #341,285 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant and beautiful book., June 12, 1999

By A Customer

This is a brilliant and beautiful book superbly written with elegance and gracefulness. It is the most powerful and illuminating source of the role that sound can play in the healing process that I have ever read. Dr. Gaynor has an outstanding grasp of various sounds, techniques, and terms-the "grammatical" elements that make you fluent in the "language" of sound. But he goes far beyond that. He understands and transmits an unbelievable amount of expressive, historical, and even philosophical information. In keeping with that insight, he illuminates the varying circumstances and contexts that have shaped sound down thru the ages. He guides us thru the sounds that are capable of speaking to and from the human soul, and tells us something central about the human condition in each of us. This is a dazzling book which tells us not only about our distant past but also about how that past is able to shape our present and our future.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr. Gaynor brings medicine out of the dark ages, July 30, 1999

By	Cary Scott ([e-mail]) "scubameist" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

Dr. Gaynor integrates sound and emotion as powerful tools in his medical arsenal leading his patients back to health. His use of the healing power of sound compliments the use of conventional medicine. Dr. Gaynor's guided meditations have helped achieve living miralces in "terminal" patients. This book reaffirms anything is possible when we discover what made us ill and how we can rebuild our lives during and after illness. This book is a priceless road map to self discovery and joy. I wish I could give it six stars.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a celestial journey, July 3, 1999

By A Customer

Sounds of Healing is an extraordinary publication. Like a journey within a journey, it is an odyssey along the path of spiritual wisdom, healing and self fulfillment. Like a compass, it directs as it informs-it encourages the reader to meander throughout its pages, enjoying the self direction and spontaneous discovery that are the essence of the spiritual quest. The book together with the Sounds of Healing compact disk moved me towards celestial realms that I have never before experienced.