Faith Leaders Embrace Sound Baths to Connect with Spiritual Seekers

Introduction to Sound Baths

With eyes closed and a small mallet in hand, the Rev. Kyohei Mikawa gently struck the bronze Himalayan singing bowl resting in his palm and bathed the Buddhist sanctuary in a resonant hum.
Mikawa spent the next 45 minutes skimming bowls, playing a tongue drum and chanting to create an immersive experience called a sound bath as he sat facing a dozen people relaxing or meditating on yoga mats.
Sometimes known as sound healing or sound meditation, sound baths have surged in popularity over the past decade, driven by growing public interest in mental health and wellness. But sound baths are no longer confined to yoga centers, crystal healing studios or other new age spaces. They have crossed over to mainstream worship spaces, including churches, temples and synagogues.

Faith Leaders and Sound Baths

Faith leaders like Mikawa, who oversees Rissho Kosei Kai Buddhist Center in Los Angeles’ largely Latino neighborhood of Boyle Heights, are increasingly embracing sound baths. They see it as a way to reach out to their neighbors who may not be affiliated with a religion, but still want to be in community with others seeking spiritual experiences. They have also found ways to make this practice mesh with their respective faith traditions.

People partake in a sound bath at Temple Emanuel, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner)
A person partake in a sound bath at Temple Emanuel, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner)
Renee Noa Harris leads a sound bath at Temple Emanuel, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner)
Rabbi Jonathan Aaron plays guitar while Cantor Lizzie Weiss helps during the Havdalah candle ceremony at the conclusion of a sound bath at Temple Emanuel, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (AP Photo/Allison Dinner)

Adding Religious Practice to Sound Baths

The sounds that punctuated Mikawa’s session emanated from centuries of Buddhist tradition and practice, energizing and calming the mind at once, he said. A chant at the end of the sound bath, he said, means: “Seek refuge in the true spirit of who you are.”
“The goal is not to become a Buddhist, but a Buddha — the best version of who we are,” he said.
Rabbi Jonathan Aaron, who leads Temple Emanuel in Beverly Hills, a Reform synagogue, performs a sound bath the first Saturday of each month at the end of the Shabbat service, during a ceremony called the Havdalah. As part of this ritual, blessings are offered over wine, sweet spices and a multi-wicked candle while participants reflect on the difference between the sacred and the ordinary.
Aaron says a rejuvenating sound bath fits perfectly with the sensory nature of the Havdalah, preparing attendees for the week ahead. The rabbi works with a practitioner who uses crystal bowls, gongs, rain sticks and an ocean drum, which mimics the sound of waves, to create a relaxing, meditative atmosphere.

Connecting with Neighbors through Sound Baths

The Rev. Paul Capetz, pastor of Christ Church by the Sea, a United Methodist congregation in Newport Beach, California, said their monthly sound bath sessions, performed by a local practitioner, are drawing people “who would never otherwise darken the door of a church.”
“I find the sound bath brings you to another level of existence,” Capetz said. “It’s almost hypnotic, but it’s not a drug. You’re experiencing it in real time that leaves you with a feeling of such serenity.”
The goal of having practices like sound bath and meditation in the church is not to convert, but to relate to others in the community who may be spiritual but not religious, the pastor said.
Churches are naturally conducive to sound baths because of their sense of history, sanctity, reverence and, often, pristine acoustics, said Lynda Arnold, a longtime sound healer who has performed at Episcopal churches in Los Angeles.

The Science of Sound

Ramesh Balasubramaniam, professor of cognitive science at the University of California, Merced, has looked into how the brain resonates with and responds to sounds — particularly in some frequencies that could induce a deep, meditative state. A sound bath, he says, is one of the routes to get there.
“When you hear a sound wave that oscillates four times a second, you’re going to facilitate brain waves in the same frequency range by a process known as entrainment,” Balasubramaniam said. “We have 100 billion neurons and they all sing in concert in the same frequency, producing this collective effect like a crowd chanting in a football game.”
Jazmin Morales, who lives near the Rissho Kosei Kai Buddhist Center, has been attending Mikawa’s weekly sound baths for several weeks. She doesn’t know the science behind it. She just knows it works for her.
“I’ve always had trouble focusing when I meditate,” she said. “But a sound bath helps me focus. It’s helped me sleep when I was unable to sleep. It’s helped me let go of emotion. It’s even sparked my creativity.”

Conclusion

In conclusion, sound baths have become a popular practice in many faith communities, providing a unique and immersive experience for spiritual seekers. By incorporating sound baths into their worship services, faith leaders are able to reach out to their neighbors and create a sense of community and connection. The science behind sound baths also suggests that they can have a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being, making them a valuable tool for promoting relaxation, focus, and spiritual growth.

FAQs

Q: What is a sound bath?
A: A sound bath is an immersive experience that uses sound to create a meditative and relaxing atmosphere.
Q: What are the benefits of sound baths?
A: Sound baths can help with relaxation, focus, and spiritual growth, and can also have a positive impact on mental and emotional well-being.
Q: Can sound baths be used in conjunction with other spiritual practices?
A: Yes, sound baths can be used in conjunction with other spiritual practices, such as meditation and prayer, to enhance their effectiveness.
Q: Are sound baths limited to specific faith traditions?
A: No, sound baths can be used in a variety of faith traditions and can be adapted to fit the needs and practices of different communities.
Q: What is the science behind sound baths?
A: The science behind sound baths suggests that they can have a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being by facilitating brain waves and inducing a deep, meditative state.