Toward Silence II

12 minutes; a bowl every minute. Follow each bell as it fades into silence; the bell only marks time. Step 2 of the series: the gaps grow at every step.

12 min sittingNo headphones needed

A/B compare
A/B compare

One-minute samples play in turn; both sounds are matched to the same loudness, so the difference comes from the sound itself, not its volume.

How is this sound made?

  1. Brown noise−44 dB
  2. Pink noise−54 dB
  3. Bell−26 dB

    Singing bowl · 196 Hz, 15 strikes

  • Reverb: convolution, 18% mix

In Stage you can listen to each layer on its own, change its settings and save it as your own recipe.

Sound is generated on this device in real time; no files are downloaded from a server. There is a 10 s fade-in at the start and a 0 min fade-out at the end.

Evidence

B · Moderate evidence

A few controlled studies or meta-analyses; reasonable but limited generalisability.

Meditation programs have shown small positive effects on some anxiety measures, with moderate-strength evidence.

Evidence level B: Moderate evidence
What do we know?
In a meta-analysis of 47 randomized trials with active controls (3,515 people), mindfulness meditation programs showed small positive effects on anxiety, depression and pain with moderate-strength evidence; evidence for stress and distress was low.
What don't we know?
This evidence mostly comes from structured 8-week programs; whether listening to a sound session alone has the same effect is unknown. Participants came from diverse clinical populations. The programs were not shown to be better than drugs, exercise or other behavioral approaches, and NCCIH notes that much of the research is preliminary.
Sources and review note

A session's level is the weakest of its linked claims; it is never raised by a strong but unrelated claim.

Similar sounds

  • Single Strike

    Dark · steady · wide

    10 minNo headphones neededEvidence level S: Soundscape, no claim

    Both bell and resonance · both steady · same goal: meditate

    S · Soundscape, no claim
  • Himalayan Bowl

    Dark · steady · wide

    20 minNo headphones neededEvidence level S: Soundscape, no claim

    Both bell and resonance · both steady · same goal: meditate

    S · Soundscape, no claim
  • Growing Silence

    Dark · steady · wide

    20 min sittingNo headphones neededEvidence level B: Moderate evidence

    Both bell and resonance · both steady · same goal: meditate

    B · Moderate evidence
  • Listen Until Silence

    Dark · steady · wide

    15 min sittingNo headphones neededEvidence level B: Moderate evidence

    Both bell and resonance · both steady · same goal: meditate

    B · Moderate evidence

Keep your device volume comfortable, preferably below 60%. You can also use your device's headphone-safety settings.