A-S-M-Rasmussen

     People try to appeal to others' sense of sound in a variety of ways. Music is a key aspect of most cultural traditions, religions, and lifestyles in general. People speak at sermons, at vigils, at weddings, formal events, informal events, and more, all to convey different messages and evoke different responses from their audiences. Rasmussen describes the varying intentions of music and Qur'an recitation in Arabic and Indonesian cultures, and she also notes the different intentions involved with these sensory experiences between both Arabic and Indonesian practices of Islam. 

    A new genre of hearing has recently come about, although it has existed in similar forms for centuries. This genre is ASMR–autonomous sensory meridian response. Okay, but what the heck does that mean? Well, ASMR involves creating sounds that induce a subjective experience of "low-grade euphoria" on the listener, for example, when someone taps gently on a glass vase, the tinkling sound of the glass might produce a tingling sensation when you listen to it. I'll post a good ASMR video below so you can try it out for yourself, and let me know if you feel the sensation for yourself. For me and others who listen to ASMR, the primary reason is for relaxation and for sleep, and some listen to it while studying or reading.

    Our guest lecturer's talk on Buddhism and meditation prompted me to ponder the similarity between ASMR and meditation. For example, people meditate to relax the mind, body, and soul, but this activity requires the undivided attention of its practitioner. The sensation of ASMR brings about a very similar feeling to that of meditation, making them both a healthy activity to destress or reground yourself, though ASMR doesn't require the same attention. Second, among those who practice meditation habitually, their behaviors and reactions are altered to produce a different autonomous response. Although it encourages its practitioners to be habitless and selfless, the change in behavioral response to situations demonstrates how meditation can be habit-forming. My experience with ASMR is quite similar in that I cannot fall asleep without listening to it. It has altered the way I wind down my day, in my opinion, for the better. Listen to the preview for this ASMR video below and let me know what you think. (I think it sounds so tingly)