Healing From Within: Sound at the United Nations

On World Meditation Day, I had the honor of facilitating a sound bath at the United Nations alongside Chaka Khan - the theme was Healing From Within. The space was unlike any I’ve worked in before: a room filled with global leaders and change-makers, all arriving with the weight of responsibility, deadlines, and the constant hum of modern life.

From the moment the first tone was struck, I witnessed something extraordinary. People’s breath slowed, shoulders softened, and a quiet focus spread through the room. The sound wasn’t just pleasant—it was a signal to the nervous system: it was safe to arrive, to pause, to simply be.

Chaka herself joined in the sound - she shared her voice and presence with generosity. Watching her engage, and seeing participants respond, reminded me that sound is relational. It creates a shared field of attention—a subtle but powerful form of co-regulation. The room, normally filled with activity and obligation, became a space of collective stillness.

Moments like these highlight the difference between relaxation and true regulation. People left not only feeling calm, but centered, grounded, and ready to carry that presence back into their work and lives. For me, facilitating at the UN reinforced the extraordinary potential of sound: to meet people where they are, and to create conditions where nervous systems—and communities—can reset and heal from within.