February 4, 2022

The Ohm Tuning Fork - 136.1 Hz

In every toolbox of a sound healer (let’s be real, usually velvet pouches), is a 136.1 OM fork. Can we look at that? 136.1 sure seems like a random number. From where did it come?

Okay so stay with me for a moment as I tell you a story. In 1978 a Swiss mathematician, Hans Cousto, reasoned that the earth had 31,556,908.8 seconds in an entire year. (Incidentally enough he was reported to also be on mushrooms.) This came from the result of multiplying the number of days in a year (365.242) times the number of seconds in a year (86,400). Now the 31.5 million seconds figure I originally offered would be in Hertzian language and way beyond the human capacity of hearing. So, in order to make a frequency, measurable in hertz from his result, he necessarily made a reciprocal equation of 1 over 31,556,908.8 to attain a number equal to 3.16887819 x 10-8 hz. This number’s sound obviously lies below our baseline hearing of 20 hertz. In order to create a frequency that indeed was within our audible spectrum, Cousto multiplied that figure by doubling the octaves 32 times, or 2 to the 32 power, so he would retain the same pitch and thus the same mathematical relationship. Stay with me. (Remember, 3.1688789 x 10-8 is a digit measured in hertz/ soundwaves) So, in other words, when he calculated the math, he came up to 136.10228186 which of course as sound healers, we reduce then to 136.1, well within our hearing capacity. We then associate this figure with the primordial sound of OM, or roughly Db.

Though beyond the scope of this article, OM is believed in the Vedic traditions to be the mantra of mantras or the sound that created the universe by Brahman’s utterance or if you think of it in Judeo-Christian terms, it could be considered the sound of the Word from Johannian “In the beginning was the Word.” For another article… Back to 136.1.

Coincidentally enough, 136.1 denotes the keynote of the sitar and tambura (think drone note) called the sadja which roughly translates to “Father of the others”. So, the first note of the Indian ragas (very roughly equivalent to scales) is SA, which would be in western music what we think off as Do. The ancient rishis, Hindu sages or saints, were purported to have meditated on OM and derived this pitch. By opening up to the cosmos during their tuning called alapa, the listeners of the concert necessarily partake in the tuning of their minds to this cosmic note. Same concept held true in the tuning of bell makers. Many bells of interestingly enough been made in antiquity and are often only off by one or two hertz.

So, what are the healing benefits? Why bother with the sound of OM and what does it have to do with sound healing? The frequency of OM has been linked to calming nervousness and inner agitation or restlessness. It has been said that OM can work as a sedative or a natural vibratory narcotic in terms of stress relief. Overall, there can be a sense of inner peace, a restoration of balance, and the opening of blocked energy patterns that no longer serve you.

But that’s not all! More benefits have been reported through its usage. Strain and stress in the heart lessens, along with a reported certain amount of connectedness and grounding. Granted these are not quantifiable terms, but are they not words of which we frequently speak? It can be used on joints, muscles, and nerve groups to help relieve pain and to possibly prevent illness from occurring in the body. Amazingly enough, it also releases a chemical called nitric oxide, that relaxes the inner muscles of the blood vessels, causing them to widen and increase circulation. Fascinating to know that science and empirical evidence back these claims.

Known sometimes as the sound of the universe, observations are made that it balances physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual energies that maybe be blocked or depleted in one’s biofield. It is a doorway into deep meditation, guided contemplation and visualization; even and even promotes healthy sleep. When placed on certain chakras and meridians, it can help to tune and relax the body. In my view, there is little it cannot assist with.

Okay, I believe I have exhausted myself. It also makes coffee for you in the morning and will read the news to you.