Sekhem: Inner Sound, Shared Resonance, and Undisturbed Meditation

Preparing for Undisturbed Meditation

A light jacket is useful for the short walk to the entrance, but avoid bringing anything heavy inside. A lightweight layer can be wrapped around the body; anything heavier has to be carried throughout the visit and can be left on the bus. The walk takes only about five to ten minutes. After moving through the interior, it is likely to feel hot and sweaty, and the air outside can feel good.

Dividing into two groups allows more time inside, particularly for lying in the sarcophagus. The intention is for everyone to have at least about five minutes there, although access cannot be guaranteed.

Patrick recalls an earlier visit when an accompanying official, whose presence was required, unexpectedly said, “Oh no, no, you can't get in the sarcophagus.” Usually, the accompanying officials simply sat nearby without interfering. On this occasion, Patrick went over and gave the official money, after which permission was given.

Afterward, Patrick told another guide that he had needed to pay the official. The guide was furious and went to get the money back, because the official had already been paid for that access. The difficulty was not only the payment. Having someone interfere in this way broke up the energy of the experience.

The intention is to speak clearly with the guide beforehand so that the arrangements are understood and the meditation is not disturbed. If possible, the accompanying official would remain outside the chamber. None of this can be guaranteed, but the aim remains to give each person about five minutes lying in the sarcophagus.

Finding the Resonant Sound

A brief activation comes before entering the sarcophagus. Then the practice is simply to lie down and experience it. No particular spiritual belief is needed. The physical qualities of the room and the sarcophagus are remarkable in themselves, and much of the experience involves sound.

Begin with a little sound, such as an om, and change its frequency. There is a particular frequency to find for yourself, where the sound and the resonance can seem to take you. Start low and quietly, rather than making a loud, open sound. Gradually bring the tone upward.

At a certain frequency, the resonance may seem to expand suddenly, almost as though it explodes. The sound changes, and there can be a moment of surprise: “What's that?” It can feel as though everything opens up. This is an attempt to describe the experience, rather than a promise of exactly how it will happen.

Once that resonance is found, either maintain the sound or move into silence. Both are possible. The choice is yours.

Everyone else needs to remain quiet while a person is in the sarcophagus. That person has to find the sound precisely for themselves. If others make sounds outside, it becomes difficult to hear their own frequency.

Waiting is also meditation time. With about ten people taking roughly five minutes each, the shared meditation can last close to an hour. Rather than simply standing and waiting for a turn, continue meditating.

Quiet Waiting and Releasing What Is Heavy

The chamber will be dark, with the lights switched off. A little light comes up from the adjoining gallery, but visibility can still be limited. On an earlier visit, someone accidentally stepped on a child who was there. Be careful of anyone who may be lying down meditating.

Find a place along the wall where you can sit and meditate. This is appropriate after your turn in the sarcophagus, and meditation can also take place beforehand.

Question: Is there also meditation before going into the sarcophagus?

Response: The visit is arranged in two groups. One group goes down into the lower chamber, where a facilitator leads a meditation mainly about releasing anything heavy that you are holding on to. It is the pit, the earth. Consider what you are taking into that space.

For that group, the release meditation comes first. For others, the order is reversed. The group beginning in the upper chamber receives the activation and meditates there before going down.

One possibility is for people to go down individually when they have finished and join the facilitator below, while those below come up in the same way. However, traveling alone through the passages may feel frightening. It is fine to wait for the last person and move together as a group.

The journey between the spaces takes about fifteen to twenty minutes, so the transitions need to be coordinated without wasting the time available. Ideally, the group below begins coming up as the other group finishes in the upper chamber. There is no reliable mobile phone service inside to coordinate this.