On Poesis & Synchrony
On Poesis & Synchrony
By Stefan Chmelik
Poesis (find in the Space+Time Theme)
“Music heard so deeply
That it is not heard at all, but
you are the music
While the music lasts.”
T.S. Eliot, Collected Poems
Poesis is a sister to Sensate signature soundscape Mimetic, found in the Sacred Spaces theme, and a word constructed from poiesis (Ancient Greek: ποίησις, art, poetry) and poetic; the idea of a process of emergence of something new, something that did not previously exist. Like the ‘imaginal cells’ that guide the transformation of the caterpillar into a butterfly through the process of metamorphosis, Poesis can guide transformation at the core of your being. In this sense, art is a challenging encounter – it opens up a space you didn’t know existed and accesses who you really are as a human – it exposes you to the universe, to otherness, to the unfamiliar:
“There is a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in.” Leonard Cohen tells us in his poem Anthem, a plea for embracing imperfection.
Poesis is carefully composed from a series of interwoven elements. In combination with the low frequency infrasound felt from the Sensate device itself, the effect on the Bodymind can be profound: languid acoustic guitar chords, offset by a sparkling piano arpeggio, with middle frequencies of harmonic string section and Earth hum base notes. The impact of Poesis is underpinned by the use of a long repeat melody ending in minor note sequence that speaks of hope and the Bittersweet of transformation.
Poetry:
“You will not find poetry anywhere unless you bring some of it with you.”
Joseph Joubert
“Science is for those who learn; poetry, for those who know.”
Joseph Roux
Poetry was an original Olympic event, poetry features in the Eisteddfod of the Welsh Bardic competition, Odin was god of both war and poetry, and can be thought of as the storytelling media of the day - what’s the point of performing valiant deeds if no one hears of them?
LOST
Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you.
If you leave it, you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.
David Wagoner (1971)
Sensate Soundscape Avian (in the Nature theme) is described as ‘A congress of the birds’, which is a reference to and in recognition of ‘The Conference of the Birds or Speech of the Birds (Persian: منطق الطیر, Manṭiq-uṭ-Ṭayr, also known as مقامات الطیور Maqāmāt-uṭ-Ṭuyūr; 1177) is a Persian poem by Sufi poet Farid ud-Din Attar, commonly known as Attar of Nishapur. The title is taken directly from the Qur’an, 27:16, where Sulayman (Solomon) and Dāwūd (David) are said to have been taught the language, or speech, of the birds (manṭiq al-ṭayr).’
The syrinx (from the Greek word "σύριγξ" for pan pipes) is the vocal organ of birds. Located at the base of a bird's trachea, it produces sounds without the vocal folds of mammals. The sound is produced by vibrations of some or all of the membrana tympaniformis (the walls of the syrinx) and the pessulus, caused by air flowing through the syrinx.
Synchrony (find in the Somnus Theme)
Sleep is an essential activity for all mammals, we all know this, yet deep, restorative sleep eludes many of us. Sleep should be embraced and welcomed. During restful sleep, cellular regeneration and detoxification takes place, and it is in the dreamtime of sleep that we have the potential to journey into our inner world, where subconscious hopes and fears both reside, and where they can be transformed through profound, deep rest. Without regenerative sleep, the world is a harsh and challenging place.
“Every good thing in this world started with a dream. So you hold on to yours.”
Willy Wonka’s mother says to the young Willy
Weary with toil, I haste me to my bed,
The dear repose for limbs with travel tired;
But then begins a journey in my head
To work my mind, when body’s work’s expired …
William Shakespeare, Sonnet 27.
Synchrony is skilfully composed to augment the low frequency infrasound experienced through the Sensate device. A symphony of floating and freefalling, rooted in resonant chords, hum and singing bowl.
Recent research from Laboratory Lisbon showed that people using Sensate experienced a significant increase (32.5%) of Theta brain wave activity. Theta occurs in the light sleep stage or dreaming, as well as in a relaxed, meditative state of mind. Sensate provides short immersive, sound and vibrotactile experiences that users report have a significant impact on stress, anxiety and poor sleep.
In another study Sensate users fell asleep twice as fast and slept for an average of one hour longer after 14 days of use.
I have written here about some of the issues that we can consider when looking at how to create a more effective sleep routine - To Sleep Deeply, Wake Up
Sensate is also helpful to access daytime NDSR - Non-Sleep Deep Rest
A 2016 study in the journal Sleep supports the NASA findings, that 10-minute naps helped alertness and performance and didn't result in that post-nap groggy feeling that many people experience. In comparison, people who napped for 30 minutes felt more groggy after.
Sleep and rest are important acts of self-care and compassion - in a hectic world where we spend so much of our time running from place to place or feeling like we're being chased by messages, by emails, by work, by worries, rest is a revolutionary act: The Power of Rest
Sensately yours,
Stefan
Stefan Chmelik is co-founder of and inventor of the Sensate stress reduction system, which is based on his over three decades of clinical experience working with anxiety, stress and trauma. His mission is now the company's mission - to positively impact the lives of 100 million people by 2025.
Articles page HERE