Blind Listening – An Enlightening Exercise
“Blind Listening” is a term popularized by Francisco Lopez, a contemporary soundscape artist. It refers to listening without reference to the particular objects which are the sources of the sounds, and without attempting to name the sounds (a related term, “acousmatic,” describes a sound whose origin is not seen or identified). The goal in blind listening is to appreciate sounds purely for their own sake, to experience them deeply through the senses, and become attuned to their specific emotional impacts.
Anyone can do this exercise, anywhere, at any time. Stop for a moment, close your eyes, and listen. Try not to label the sounds you hear. Instead, just listen and feel. Yes, you will detect differences, but appreciate them as sound textures that are actually felt, rather than as sounds created by this or that animal or thing. Relax into the womb of the soundscape itself, into the pure sensory experience of it, without bringing to bear a strong action of mind. Surrender to the moment, listen in the here and now, experience all sounds as entirely fresh and new . . .