How Sound Saved My Life | An Exploration with Temple Hayes
Photo Credit: Laura Wencker
My personal sound story…
Creating sound brought me in touch with my deeper self. It opened up pathways for healing I could have never imagined possible. From my early years as a child in the land of sonic exploration, to puberty when I first found my voice, to becoming an adult and going deeper into the healing qualities of music; this article will give you a glimpse into my personal process into the world of sound. Let me take you on a journey starting in my childhood where I first got in touch with sound.
I grew up in a house filled with music. Listening to my mother’s old records from the 60’s and 70’s, hearing her practice her hymnals for church service, lip synching to Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping - I Get Knocked Down” with my sister and recording little videos of us rocking out. Little did I know that these experiences would help shape me into the human being I would become today.
“There were moments when I struggled to find meaning, a reason to wake up, a path to follow, but I knew I could find myself in a song.”
Temple Playing his aunts guitar when he was young
I first picked up the guitar when I was 7, feeling like a tiny marvel holding an epic machine. This massive instrument already twice the size of my tiny body, I would strum away aimlessly and create my own little songs about monopoly or a Kentucky railroad or ice cream sundays. What I unconsciously discovered was that making music was fun, but also a medium through which I could express my deeper self. As I got older, learned more and more about the power of sound and discovered how to write songs and melodies, I realised that there is something very special about creating sound and making music: It can bring about flow states. It brings us into the present moment. It is an active meditation where we can focus on the sounds around us and how they make us feel.
When I went through puberty I had a tough time in high school, like most adolescents. Through that time of growing pains and a few darker days I found my solace in playing guitar and singing at night. I would sing as loud as I could in the basement trying to release whatever it was inside of me that needed to get out. There were moments when I struggled to find meaning, a reason to wake up, a path to follow, but I knew I could find myself in a song. I played Rock n’ Roll, Country, Blues and Reggae - Roots Music - Grounding music.
Looking back at those 4 years of howling away in my basement I now can see that this was self therapy. The act of singing and creating sound quite literally gave my life new meaning. I felt when I played the songs I loved, I could channel the energy of that artist that created them. As if I could see into their minds, feel their feelings and walk in their shoes. I could travel through time, sing ancient songs, bask in the glory of genius melodies and learn from them.
Once I started to write my own songs I began to understand how powerful of a tool that process could be. To be able to poetically express oneself and create beautiful sounds out of emotions. Whatever my troubles were, I could coax them into a song and induce a healing process.
How can songwriting be a healing process?
At the age of 14 or 15, I first began songwriting like a quasi poetic diary. I would write down my sorrows and bind them to melodies. Sometimes I would combine painful memories with beautiful melodies, transforming the painful energy into pleasing sounds. My belief here is that subconsciously this transformational songwriting process helps one actually heal the trauma that one is writing the song about. There is a physical change being made to those spoken words. It’s no longer pure sadness and grief, but in addition to these emotions we add creative and beautiful melodies.
When I was at my lowest of lows, I knew I could pick up my guitar and wail the emotions out of me, to release and integrate. all in one.
“The key is creating sound with intent. When I was howling away in my basement, I was doing so with the intent to release emotions and find meaning. My intentions came true.”
Photo Credit: Laura Wencker
Intention
I didn’t always work with sound consciously. In fact roughly half of my musical career was the opposite of conscious and aware. I was living a life of wild abandon and embracing the chaotic artist life in Berlin for quite some time. However, I came to a point where I felt a shift in my being, a possibility of a new start. I began to cultivate clarity and walk the spiritual path. I began to live with intention.
Over the years as I have gone much deeper into sound work, I have found that there lies a capacity for healing in every sound we create. My entrance point was guitar and singing, but it doesn’t have to be yours. The key is creating sound with intent. When I was howling away in my basement, I was doing so with the intent to release emotions and find meaning. My intentions came true. Even when we simply play a singing bowl, when we do so with intention a process begins.
Whether we are drumming, playing a gong or singing bowl, singing or even humming, we are healing if we are doing it with intention.
Sound is affecting us everywhere we go, all of the time. Whether it's the sound of birds in the forest, the wind through the trees, cars on a busy street, chatter at the bus stop, our brain picks up the soundwaves and processes them. When we create sound consciously and with intention we also have the ability to affect ourselves and those around us. Let’s spread a little love, some good vibes and positivity.
Invitation
Would you like to go deeper into the healing potential of sound and your voice?
Are you interested in exploring the power of intention and its connection to sound?
I wholeheartedly invite you to join one of our Sound Meditation Trainings. This transformational program can be a deep learning experiences of the sonic world connecting musical, theoretical and practical knowledge. A holistic immersion into all things sound, mind and spirit. Join Us!