Noise and Contemplative Practice
When most people think of the space for contemplative practice, images of a quiet, cozy environment, removed from the noise and busyness of daily life. While such an environment sounds like a wonderful place to escape to, contemplative practice is not about escaping. Contemplative practice is about establishing a relaxed body and an alert, focused mind, in which the body-mind are not disturbed by the changes in the body-mind experience. Often, when we are taught to practice meditation, whether in groups or alone, we are encouraged to practice in quiet spaces. This is important, not because quiet makes meditation better, but because our daily lives are so busy and filled with stimulation. Being surrounded by so much stimulation makes it harder to notice what the body-mind is experiencing at the moment. Practicing meditation in a quiet space gives us the opportunity to watch and get to know the body-mind experience moment to moment. There are studies that show regularly spending time in silence benefits overall well-being and physical health. I encourage everyone to establish a regular practice of meditation, even just a few minutes a day, in a space where quiet, even silence is present. However, meditation or any form of contemplative practice doesn't require quiet or silence to be effective. In fact, there are recent studies that show a certain level of background noise can actually enhance concentration through a phenomenon called stochastic resonance. Some people actually perform worse in regard to concentration in a quiet environment.
Initially, I encourage everyone to practice contemplative crafting in a quiet environment, without easy access to electronics. This is primarily because we so rarely give ourselves the opportunity to devote our attention to a task without continual external distractions, such as news and other programs on the TV and messages on our computers and cellphones. We are essentially addicted to the stimulation that comes with the dopamine rush of heightened emotional engagement and pinging alerts of messages, calling for our attention, so that putting them away can be very difficult. Giving ourselves a break from these "hits" helps to keep our body from depleting itself of dopamine and other feel good hormones, that when exhausted, leave our body feeling fatigued and our brains foggy. Putting away these devices, just for a period of time, are an important step toward freeing our addiction to stimulation. Of course, some of you might use your tablet or computer to view your pattern charts, which is perfectly fine. To minimize distractions, and facilitate concentration and relaxation, be sure to turn off notifications and emails, close down any unnecessary web browsers or other programs.
But noise is another matter. In particular the kind of noise, especially for those of us that find some level of noise enhances concentration. If you are one of those who feels more relaxed and focused with background noise, look below for different kinds of background noise and how they may help with what you are doing. Not all background noise is equal or have the same effects.
Initially, I encourage everyone to practice contemplative crafting in a quiet environment, without easy access to electronics. This is primarily because we so rarely give ourselves the opportunity to devote our attention to a task without continual external distractions, such as news and other programs on the TV and messages on our computers and cellphones. We are essentially addicted to the stimulation that comes with the dopamine rush of heightened emotional engagement and pinging alerts of messages, calling for our attention, so that putting them away can be very difficult. Giving ourselves a break from these "hits" helps to keep our body from depleting itself of dopamine and other feel good hormones, that when exhausted, leave our body feeling fatigued and our brains foggy. Putting away these devices, just for a period of time, are an important step toward freeing our addiction to stimulation. Of course, some of you might use your tablet or computer to view your pattern charts, which is perfectly fine. To minimize distractions, and facilitate concentration and relaxation, be sure to turn off notifications and emails, close down any unnecessary web browsers or other programs.
But noise is another matter. In particular the kind of noise, especially for those of us that find some level of noise enhances concentration. If you are one of those who feels more relaxed and focused with background noise, look below for different kinds of background noise and how they may help with what you are doing. Not all background noise is equal or have the same effects.
The Different Colors of Noise
White Noise
Similar to how white light is comprised of all the frequencies of light, white noise possesses a full range of sound frequencies equally. Because white noise is made of all frequencies it is used to mask other sounds. That is why white noise sounds like static or a buzzing sound. How white noise works is that it holds too many sounds for the brain to sort out. When one uses a fan, or a white noise machine, it fills the space with so many sound frequencies that it prevents the brain from singling any one out, while also blocking out all other sounds that may be nearby. Some people may find white noise uncomfortable because they are more sensitive to the higher frequency sounds within white noise. Examples of white noise include the whirring of a fan, radio or tv static, hissing radiator, or an air conditioner running. Example of white noise.
Similar to how white light is comprised of all the frequencies of light, white noise possesses a full range of sound frequencies equally. Because white noise is made of all frequencies it is used to mask other sounds. That is why white noise sounds like static or a buzzing sound. How white noise works is that it holds too many sounds for the brain to sort out. When one uses a fan, or a white noise machine, it fills the space with so many sound frequencies that it prevents the brain from singling any one out, while also blocking out all other sounds that may be nearby. Some people may find white noise uncomfortable because they are more sensitive to the higher frequency sounds within white noise. Examples of white noise include the whirring of a fan, radio or tv static, hissing radiator, or an air conditioner running. Example of white noise.
Pink Noise
Unlike white noise which holds all sound frequencies together, pink noise contains all the sound frequencies within the human hearing range. Because white noise holds all sound frequencies, it can have high-pitched, uncomfortable sound frequencies within it. Pink noise, because it is made of sound with lower frequencies within human hearing, the sound frequencies tend to be less intense. To human ears the pink noise sounds flat or even, it doesn't sound harsh or sharp. Pink noise is considered the most beneficial for facilitating a sound sleep, with less intermittent wakefulness. Nature sounds are filled with pink noise. Some examples of pink noise are waves crashing upon a beach, rustling leaves, rain falling, and the sound of heartbeats. Example of pink noise.
Unlike white noise which holds all sound frequencies together, pink noise contains all the sound frequencies within the human hearing range. Because white noise holds all sound frequencies, it can have high-pitched, uncomfortable sound frequencies within it. Pink noise, because it is made of sound with lower frequencies within human hearing, the sound frequencies tend to be less intense. To human ears the pink noise sounds flat or even, it doesn't sound harsh or sharp. Pink noise is considered the most beneficial for facilitating a sound sleep, with less intermittent wakefulness. Nature sounds are filled with pink noise. Some examples of pink noise are waves crashing upon a beach, rustling leaves, rain falling, and the sound of heartbeats. Example of pink noise.
Brown Noise
Brown noise is pink noise, but the low, base tones of the sound frequencies are strongest. Think of brown noise as a bit rougher than pink noise: the sound of thunder, the roar of a raging river, the howl of winds in a storm. Brown noise is often the best choice for contemplative creative practice as it helps facilitate relaxation and stronger focus. It can also help some people by improving the quality of their sleep. Example of brown noise.
Brown noise is pink noise, but the low, base tones of the sound frequencies are strongest. Think of brown noise as a bit rougher than pink noise: the sound of thunder, the roar of a raging river, the howl of winds in a storm. Brown noise is often the best choice for contemplative creative practice as it helps facilitate relaxation and stronger focus. It can also help some people by improving the quality of their sleep. Example of brown noise.
Violet Noise
Violet noise, or purple noise, is essentially the opposite of brown noise, in which the higher sound frequencies are strongest. As a result violet noise can sound similar to a running water faucet. People have used violet noise to block some kinds of higher frequency sounds, which can help those who suffer with tinnitus or certain kinds of hearing loss. Violet noise is also used by sound engineers for high end speakers as well as audio and sleep aid devices in a process called dithering. Example of violet noise.
Violet noise, or purple noise, is essentially the opposite of brown noise, in which the higher sound frequencies are strongest. As a result violet noise can sound similar to a running water faucet. People have used violet noise to block some kinds of higher frequency sounds, which can help those who suffer with tinnitus or certain kinds of hearing loss. Violet noise is also used by sound engineers for high end speakers as well as audio and sleep aid devices in a process called dithering. Example of violet noise.
Blue Noise
Blue noise, also called azure noise, contains all the audible frequencies, but the higher-pitched frequencies are amplified. To most people, blue noise sounds like a high-pitched hiss, lacking any bass tones. Blue noise is used by sound engineers to minimize sound distortions. Because blue noise tends to be harsh on the ears, it’s not a common option for sleep support. However, some people do find it helpful. Example of blue noise.
Blue noise, also called azure noise, contains all the audible frequencies, but the higher-pitched frequencies are amplified. To most people, blue noise sounds like a high-pitched hiss, lacking any bass tones. Blue noise is used by sound engineers to minimize sound distortions. Because blue noise tends to be harsh on the ears, it’s not a common option for sleep support. However, some people do find it helpful. Example of blue noise.
Gray Noise
Gray noise is comprise mainly of sound frequencies at the top and bottom of the sound spectrum with little to no middle sound frequencies. Scientists believe gray noise complements the acoustics of the human ear, so that to a listener, it sounds like every frequency is equally loud, and three dimensional. Gray noise is used in testing human hearing. Example of gray noise.
Gray noise is comprise mainly of sound frequencies at the top and bottom of the sound spectrum with little to no middle sound frequencies. Scientists believe gray noise complements the acoustics of the human ear, so that to a listener, it sounds like every frequency is equally loud, and three dimensional. Gray noise is used in testing human hearing. Example of gray noise.
Black Noise
Black noise is the complete absence of sound. It is just about impossible to experience complete silence, but some do find that the least amount of sound is conducive to sleep. Example of black noise (of a sort).
Black noise is the complete absence of sound. It is just about impossible to experience complete silence, but some do find that the least amount of sound is conducive to sleep. Example of black noise (of a sort).
Orange Noise
Green Noise
Yellow Noise
Red Noise