Is Sound Healing Only for Spiritual People?

Yifat Shirben
Apr 25
3 min read

I get it. Coming from a pragmatic, corporate background myself, I completely understand why sound healing might sound... well, spiritual (Honestly, I think the term “sound healing” could use a rebrand – but that’s a conversation for another post.)

So if you work in a high-pressure environment, don’t identify as “woo,” or just feel more at home with logic than chakras, you might be wondering: Is this really for me?

It’s a valid question. But here’s the thing – sound healing meets you where you are.

For some people, that means accessing deep insight or emotional release. For others, it’s just a rare moment of stillness. And to be fair? Even just feeling more relaxed in your body is a win.

So if you're simply looking for a way to relax and de-stress, it might be just what the doctor ordered.

You Don’t Have to Be “Spiritual” to Feel It

You’re probably right to imagine that the space might have incense, crystals, and a few woo-leaning touches – but a good sound healing facilitator knows when to keep them at bay and when to turn up the mysticism. A good facilitator makes you feel comfortable, regardless of your spiritual openness.

Sound doesn’t require belief because it works directly with the nervous system. It’s not a mindset. It’s a physical, sensory experience that impacts both mind and body. You don’t need to have a meditation practice, chant anything, or clear your mind of all thoughts. You don’t need to believe in energy or subscribe to any particular philosophy. Just being open to the experience is enough.

We don’t question going to a massage or spa just because we’re “not spiritual enough,” and a sound session is no different – it’s care for your system, whether or not you spiritualise it.

Why It Works (Just to Satisfy the Skeptic in You)

Skepticism is healthy. But so is rest. If you’ve tried the apps, the deep breathing, the guided meditations, and still felt like your mind was too loud, sound might surprise you.

Not because it’s magical (though it might feel that way), but because it works with how you’re built, not how you think you’re supposed to feel.

You don’t even have to be a “sound person.” You just have to be a person with a nervous system. That’s enough.

When your body hears – and more importantly, feels – certain vibrations, your nervous system responds. This isn’t new-age fluff. It’s how we’re wired.

Your brainwaves start to slow down
Your breath deepens
Muscles begin to soften
Stress hormones take a step back

Instruments like tuning forks, singing bowls, and gongs create frequencies that gently bypass mental chatter and help your body remember how to settle.

Whether you believe in chakras or spreadsheets, your nervous system doesn’t care. It just responds.

Bottom Line

“I felt calm – like real calm. Not wine-at-the-end-of-the-day calm.”

That’s the kind of feedback I hear from people who wouldn’t call themselves spiritual in the slightest. Because again, it’s not about belief. It’s about response.

You don’t need to meditate, chant, or “clear your mind.” You don’t need to believe in energy, auras, or anything at all. You just need to show up.

It is important, however, to choose a facilitator you resonate with (pun intended), so you won’t feel like you’re being pushed into their belief system.

If you’re open enough to enjoy what I call a “brainwaves sonic massage” (still not the perfect name for it 🙂), the worst that can happen is you lie down for an hour and can’t stop your mind from chattering. But even then – your mind and body will thank you for taking the time for yourself to pause and step away from the chaos.