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Voices of Eden
Baby Music Medicine
Healing Music Put to the Test
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Voices of Eden was invited to participate in a pilot program of healing music in the
neo-natal ward of Sapir Medical Center - Meir Hospital, Kfar Saba, Israel.
The Voices of Eden Method consciously uses voice, rhythm and music as a natural
healer. The vocal healing lullaby music is wordless, bypassing the limiting language
factor. It was successfully put to the test on pre-term babies of both Jewish
and Arab origin. |
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Program Memoir - On a Gentler Note...
Today marks another milestone for good news from the Middle East.When I entered the neo-natal ward to provide the first Voices of Eden healing music program at Meir Hospital, I awaited instructions as to where to sing first. My colleague was soon to arrive with her accompanying harp, but in the meantime, it was time to begin with the Turkish frame drum and voice.
In the open room, amidst the machinery noise, the monitors and bassinets, a young Arab mother held her pre-term baby named Mohammed to her bosom; the taupe colored fabric of her head covering brushing gently against his teeny body. The baby squirmed and raged in discomfort, his mother uneasy and seeming unsure of how to calm him down. She welcomed me to sit with them. I began playing usul Semai, an Arabic rhythm measured in 10/8. The baby immediately opened his eyes and focused his gaze upon me. A little while later I added Lama Bada, a traditional tune in the eastern scale (maqam) called Nahawand. He released his tight grip and his mom relaxed her embrace as well. She began to coo and cradle him gently. He smiled and she laughed. As the music continued, his body rocked gently to and fro, from side to side at an even pace.
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Another mother came to join us. Her baby was even smaller than Mohammed. He was
tightly clasped to her bosom. It was at this point, that I noticed the harpist sitting
by my side. I had been so absorbed in my singing that I didn't notice her enter the room.
Effortlessly, the harp joined in, also more mothers, and a few moments later, the doctors
and nurses as well, had fallen into a quiet lull. Even the machinery seemed to lower it's
electronic hum. It was a still and magic moment.
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I wished I had a camera to capture the intimacy of those two mothers, sitting side by side, cradling their babies. I wished that the masses could share this simple moment of harmony from the most unlikely of settings. Here in the neo-natal hospital ward, doctors and nurses attended to the sick infants, Arab and Jewish alike, while their parents nursed and coddled them and the musicians created a healing environment with conscious voice, quiet rhythms and healing harp.
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We moved from room to room. Parents and nurses congregated in the larger room of the
healthy babies ward to enjoy the healing music. The babies began the suite with their
unanimous cries and quieted down as the singing continued. Even the doctors and nurses
quieted their voices and began to speak in whispered tones to one another. One of the
doctors commented that they were so enjoying the music that they didn't want to disturb
its progress. "It made them work more easily", she added.
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The neo-natal staff at Meir Hospital in Kfar Saba is to be commended. These individuals are bringing the next generation, our future leaders, into the world on a more harmonious note.
It was wonderful to behold the medical staff so committed to the health and well being of the innocent vulnerable babies. It is a pleasure to discover advanced medical professionals with sophistication to appreciate the complimentary healing value of consciously produced sound.
Hospital Response
Dear Eliana,We, the entire neonatal staff would like to thank you and Sunita for the lovely experience we shared together in the neo-natal ward of Meir Hospital.
When you came with the idea of Voices of Eden music for the babies we were a little bit worried as it didn't seem "medical" to introduce something to a tiny baby of 750 grams. But, I must admit that we were wrong. You both sat near a pre-term baby who suffers from respiratory disease; one with whom we as an entire team can hardly communicate. Yet with your singing, suddenly the infant became calm and virtually started to move in accordance to the rhythm!!! This means that:
- He can hear.
- A part of his brain is functioning very well.
- He enjoys this type of music (the eastern 10/8 rhythm).
Eliana, I think that if your playing hour will become a routine habit in our neo-natal ward, we will all benefit and no doubt that this can start a new wonderful era for the babies, whatever their origin. After a while, the Voices of Eden method can be tested scientifically to verify it's physical influence as is experienced by the spiritual one.
So, Eliana I thank you again and ask your patience and energy to help us bring this idea to full fruition.
Yours Sincerely,
Dr. Shmuel Arnon
Deputy Neonatal Department
Meir General Hospital Kfar-Saba, 44281 Israel