Sunday 21st September is International Peace Day. On this day, Spiralling is joining with other BAST Sound Therapists in running public sessions all over the country to chant for peace.

There is a real need for peace in our world at the moment, with wars and civil unrest being reported on the news every day. We invite you to join us on Sunday 21st September between 12 noon and 1pm to take part in our “Chant for Peace”. During this hour, all around the UK, groups will be chanting the “Om Shanti” mantra to raise peaceful energy.

Everyone is welcome to come and join in, or just to listen - it’s a very relaxing and restful experience. You can chant for the whole hour, or dip in and out of chanting to listen as you like. For an idea of what the chant sounds like, watch this video of BAST Mantra Therapists chanting Om Shanti.

This is not an anti-war protest, nor is it politically motivated. For this hour, we would simply like to raise and offer the energy of peace to the world, for those who need it most. It is free to attend, although you may like to make a small donation towards the cost of the room.

Sunday 21st September 2008 12-1pm.

Nottingham Buddhist Centre, 9 St Mary’s Place, Nottingham NG1 1PH

Directions to Nottingham Buddhist Centre.

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So one day we’re doing one of our early shows and we get a quiet spot - they happen even at our busiest shows.  I decided to have a wander around and look at what was out there.  Of course, there was nothing to rival us - we were King.  But there was one guy who came close.  Jane and Shad were there, selling Native American Spiritual materials, artifacts and herbs.  Shad also does “readings”.  But the main thing that grabbed my attention was the Flutes.  Shad lets people play his flutes (he makes them) as they happen by - people who can play, people who played badly once, people who have never played, and of course the people who tell us they were “born to play, and played even as they supped their Mother’s milk”.  There is one other kind however; the kind that Shad falls into - the Virtuoso.  As I approached the stall, such a person was playing.  She is about 17 I’d guess; maybe a bit older, a bit younger… whatever.  She now lives in Canada.  She played the flute with such passion, such casual beauty, I thought I would die right there on the spot.  Her playing sold me immediately - I simply had to have one.  The price was high but worth it - it simply had to be.  Nicola and I discussed it and we agreed I would buy one “at some point”.

That point came quicker than I could have hoped; and some months later I had my own flute.  The Native American Flute is end-blown; that is, you don’t blow across it, you blow DOWN it… it’s a bit like a recorder in function.  It has up to six playing holes; usually these days a minimum of three.  The holes are large enough that the note played can be “rolled”, and small enough that the player can be accurate.  The sound mechanism is enabled by a “block”; secured with a leather thong to the top surface of the flute, it directs the flow of air over the “fipple” - a sharp edge which begins the note.  The flute is generally tuned to the “pentatonic” scale; a scale which has five primary notes which naturally harmonise with each other; unlike the standard piano-like scale where you have to choose the notes played to make the nicest music.  This makes the flute easier to learn to play than a piano - but still a challenge to become a GOOD player.

Some months later I met Steve - and Steve offered me the chance to do a workshop to learn to make these beautiful instruments - albeit using a different technique to Shad.  Naturally I ached to leave right there and then; to begin immediately.  As it happened I think it was over a year before I managed it - but when I did I found that it was something I could do - and do readily - and I have produced a flute which I love dearly.  It is my intention, as soon as it is possible, to begin making my own flutes; and to sell them here at Spiralling.  Watch this space for a sample of the sound of the Native American Love Flute.

I dedicate my first Flute to Nicola; who is my enabler and at the same time my checks and balances; my Wife and business partner, my Love and my Life.

Tom

Nicola Kelsall, of Spiralling Meditation and Sound Therapy appeared on the Mid Morning show of BBC Radio Nottingham today. Discussing Sound Therapy and its uses, Nicola went on to explain how Sound Therapy can help those suffering from sleep problems.

Nicola also explained that Sound Therapy is not a magic “cure-all”, but can help people help themselves. In treating insomnia, Sound Therapy aims to work on the root causes so that better sleeping patterns follow naturally. Nicola went on to offer listeners the opportunity to receive some free treatment to help with sleeping problems.

Listen to the interview here

NEWS: Nottinghamshire Researcher Appeals for Volunteers for Insomnia Sound Therapy Study

A Nottinghamshire researcher is appealing for volunteers for a new study into the effects of sound therapy on insomnia.

Nicola Kelsall is a Sound Therapist from Sutton in Ashfield. She is conducting research on the effects of Sound Therapy on those suffering from Insomnia. Nicola suffered for many years with CFS and found one of the worst problems was lack of sleep. She is now keen to find ways to help others who suffer from insomnia.

Insomnia affects one in three adults at some point and can range from difficulty sleeping for a night or two to prolonged sleep problems lasting weeks or months. Disturbed or restless sleep can lead to difficulty concentrating on tasks, in addition to aching and physical pain. Insomnia can be caused by illness and stress as well as a lack of Alpha brain waves.

Nicola will be assessing the effectiveness of three Sound Therapy treatments in the fight against insomnia. Volunteers will be treated using Tuning Forks, Native American Drum Therapy or Sanskrit Mantra Therapy.

Sound Therapy is an energy therapy which uses frequency and resonance to “re-tune” body, mind and spirit. It utilises the ancient Chakra system. Each chakra resonates at its own frequency; the stresses of modern lives can push the chakras out of tune; Sound Therapy returns the chakras to their optimum frequencies.

Nicola says “Sound Therapy is a very relaxing treatment, but is also incredibly powerful. It utilises the energy in and around us and can produce profound and lasting results. I suffered from insomnia for many years due to CFS and know how debilitating lack of sleep can be. I am keen to help others struggling with a lack of sleep and I believe that Sound Therapy will generate lasting improvements for the wellbeing of the study volunteers.”

Volunteers for this study will receive three treatments over three weeks. The treatment is safe, relaxing and non-invasive. Anyone interested in taking part in the study should contact Nicola on 01623 466302 or email her at nicola@spiralling.co.uk.

Nicola has studied for a Certificate in Sound Therapy with the British Academy of Sound Therapy. BAST is the only Sound Therapy school in the UK to be accredited by the main governing bodies of Complementary Medicine. Nicola is carrying out research for her dissertation, having completed to taught aspect of the course. She will be the first person in the UK to achieve this qualification. Nicola is fully insured and is a registered member of the ICM and BRCP.

For more information, Nicola can be contacted on 01623 466302/07815 682858

nicola@spiralling.co.uk

www.spiralling.co.uk/soundtherapy.html

When asked what someone terrified of death should do, His Holiness the Dalai Lama (visiting Nottingham, UK this week) gave several pieces of advice.

First among these was to take care of your body. Next he said he had heard too much alcohol and salt were bad for the body, and one should limit intake of these. He went on to say that some extreme sports look really dangerous, so if you’re terrified of death, you might want to give these a miss!

Finally, he advised that if you really are terrified of death, the best thing you can do is to ensure you give your life meaning. Live a constructive life, do something worthwhile and be nice to people, and then when it’s your time to die, you can at least be happy that you did something with your life. He also said that by doing these things, you ensure someone will miss you when you die and be sad that you’ve gone, which is a good thing. By contrast, if you’re unpleasant in life, people will find out that you’re dead and say “oh, that’s good”.

The next question he was asked was “should we consciously strive for enlightenment or should we concentrate more on being kind, caring and compassionate being?”

His answer to this was simple. If you’re kind, caring and compassionate, what else is there? This is the way to enlightenment. Not closing your eyes; not chanting mantra. Only through compassion for others, by helping those who need our help can we seek to reach enlightenment.

HH the Dalai Lama is giving talks and teaching at the Nottingham Arena every day from 24 May - 28 May 2008.