Sacred spaces, resonant frequencies, ancient habits

The story began when we were visiting a lovely couple in Malta. The wife was from Isfahan, in Iran and told me an interesting story about the Menar Jonban towers.  Apparently, these famous towers, in Isfahan were built in the 14^th century and are known as the shaking minarets.  If you ascend the spiral staircase inside the tower you can by pressing on the wall with your hand cause the structure to swing to and fro.  This shaking is clearly visible and it sets up a resonance which causes the second tower in the building some distance away to begin swaying as well.  It sounded weird but the couple went on to say that the famous Skeikh who constructed the towers also designed Zarrin Kamar which is known as one of Iran’s greatest canal systems.  This Skeikh they told me also designed an amazing public bathroom that was said to be heated by a single candle.  He warned everyone not to open the enclosure where the candle was placed as the system would then not work anymore.  The couple told me that during subsequent refurbishments the enclosure was opened and indeed the whole system never worked again.  Apparently, even one of the ancient shaking towers in the city was taken down during the 20^th century so scientists could work out its mechanism.  It too was impossible to rebuild. 

My curiosity was piqued and I did some amateur research into these constructions and the Skeikh after the visit.  Sure enough, the Skeikh was a real character called Baha’al-din al Amali (18 Feb 1547-1^st Sept 1621).  He was an Arab Shia Islamic scholar, philosopher, architect, mathematician, astronomer and poet.  I really love the way people in those days did not study one particular field and nothing else.  Today, I am strangely depressed when professionals tell me they study Juniperus virginiana (a particular form of the juniper bush), or the antimony-Gallium phosphide interface, or the side effects of Botox injections in baby chicken’s optic nerves.  Compared to the Skeikh they seem genuinely unimpressive! 

The Skeikh was one of the earliest astronomers in the Islamic world to suggest that the earth moved around the sun and not vice-versa as previously dedicated believed.  He wrote many books including poetry and one curiously entitled ‘a treatise on the problems of Moon and Mercury’.  Obviously, a clever chap!  Unfortunately, my research seemed to indicate that the Menar Jonban Towers was actually built in the 14^th century a good hundred years before his birth. Disappointedly, his famous bathroom was also perhaps not his.  In fact, there is no confirming evidence that he made the canals system either.  It could be that he made additions to these structures and so perhaps all is not lost.   We can date another Shaking tower in Imanshahr to around 1280-1316 so it is impressive to think technology was that creative in those times.  

The Sheikh's bathroom was excavated in 1969 and the heating system examined.  Unfortunately, it could not be repaired but certain interesting facts were discovered.  

Underground clay pipes were discovered leading into neighbouring houses’ toilet wells so it was postulated that the Skeihk knew about biogas and that methane from the cesspools was probably used as the flammable gas fueling the candle.  A recent researcher has constructed and won awards designing a boiler tank with a similar design to that of the Sheikh.  The boiler is made of gold which makes it a much better conductor than copper etc.  No wonder the Skeikh had made a mystery of his design.  Had the populace known, the public bath’s boiler was made of gold there is a good chance it would not have survived as long as it did!

Another modern research group has studied the intricate designs of the shaking minarets in Isfahan and published an academic paper on this showing the resonance frequency of the Menar Jonban Towers and dimensions of the structures and the linking wooden beam between the towers that contribute to the vibrations being conveyed so effectively.  The tower would vibrate 10cms in amplitude which is considerable given the simple construction materials used.  The Towers have bells which ring out when shaking to make the resonance more obvious.  Another similar old shaking Towers existed in Ahmedabad, India but during the British Raj era, one of the Towers was dismantled so they could investigate how the shaking worked.  

It again proved impossible to rebuild so this Shaking Tower has now only one left.  I am not sure why this pattern of wanton destruction of something so old and unique is so troubling and disturbing.  Surely, it is time we learnt some respect and leave beautiful old things alone instead of destroying them in our eagerness to know more or make money?

Mind you, resonance is a strong effect.  Most of us are familiar with the opera singer being able to shatter a glass at a distance using sound with the frequency of their singing note being exactly the same as the natural frequency of the glass.  Another even more modern example of natural resonance happened to a suspension bridge when the wind gusted at its natural frequency of oscillation and the footage is spectacular.  This is no minor phenomenon a lot of energy can be conveyed when resonance is involved.

A fascinating new field of research is entitled archaeoacoustics is emerging which examines the acoustics of archaeological sites and artifacts.  Ancient structures are examined to see their resonance frequencies and there is a remarkable consistency in the chosen frequency of these spaces.  The resonant frequencies tend to be well within the adult male voice range (77 Hz-482 Hz) which suggests that some form of human chanting was enhanced by the cavity resonance for ritual purposes.  Interestingly women’s voices fall outside this range (137 Hz -634 Hz) so it has been suggested by some that women priestesses might have used drums to achieve the same result of resonance. 

site	location	age	Resonant frequency
Wayland’s Smithy	Berkshire UK	3500 BC	95-112 Hz
Chun Quoit	Cornwall uk	3500 BC	113 Hz
Cairn L Carnbane	Loughcrew, Ireland	3500 BC	110 Hz
Newgrange	Co Meath, Ireland	3500 BC	103-117 Hz
Hal-Saflieni Hypogeum	Malta	3500 BC	70-114 Hz
Celtic hypogeum	Cividale del Friuli, Italy	?	101-103 Hz

It is fascinating to find these consistencies in frequency and other studies have shown that not only did these ancient structures have resonant acoustic properties that contributed to their functional purposes but EFGs showed that subjects exposed to these frequency ranges seem to involve a switching from activity in the left side of the prefrontal cortex brain to right-sided dominance at 110 Hz.  “These results suggested that acoustic properties of these ancient structures may influence human brain function”. Some studies mentioned volunteers likening the feelings to meditation with comments like relaxing, vision-inducing, amazing being used to describe sensations encountered.  This was only a small study and so one has to be guarded about speculations such as these.  But the fact that academic peer-reviewed papers are beginning to examine these phenomena suggests there may well be something here needing investigating.

It must have appeared mystical, especially hundreds of years ago to be able to ascend a minaret and by the mere pressure of your hands start the tower shaking to and fro dramatically. To have been able to set up a vibration that shook the tall structure made of hard rock was impressive enough. But, the resonance you set in motion caused a second nearby tower to also vibrate at its natural frequency. This impressive phenomenon must have truly seemed divine and mystical in nature. The symbolism is clear. You by your hand alone and your actions can create spiritual energies that shake the very buildings and cause them to resonate with your endeavours.

To the devout the message is clear. Prayers set up a vibration, especially when chanted, that move the hearts of all that hear it.  Your spiritual endeavours will result in loving deeds, acts of service and kindness. Others will begin to resonate with the same spiritual frequency and be caught up its powerful waves. They will be urged into complimentary devotions and actions by its energy.

The call to prayer was ever designed to trigger not just devotion towards God but acts of kindness and love to family, neighbours, community and even to the stranger. Without this spiritual aspect, the mere shaking of the towers and even the regular chanting can become ritualistic meaningless charades. 

As with most endeavours, it is not until we are fully engaged in spiritual growth and exhibit humility, compassion and service that life moves from a cheap sideshow into a spiritual life well lived. Of what use is an individual’s spiritual progress if it does not cause a responding resonance in the community in which they live?  An awakening to possibilities and a growing sensitivity to the needs of those around you. Without that real resonance within the heart being expressed in widening circles around you, religious life can become a meaningless ritual. You gloat over the ‘sinners’ you perceive around you. Gleeful at their loss and ignorance. Triumphant in your own pride and imaginary elevated status.

There is a reason that when in despair we turn to prayer and God. An awareness of being in the valley of darkness makes us seek out high places to draw closer to the light and illumination. A consciousness of being lost in a bottomless chasm makes us seek heights to gain direction and perspective. Self-satisfaction and pride were ever a downward private path to dark places. Perversely, suffering and tests can help generate the climbing skills needed.

“Cleanliness is next to godliness”, It is said. So many spiritual practices involve the use of water to prepare ourselves for devotions. Ancient bathhouses such as that mentioned in Isfahan show that the very worst part of us, excrement which we regard as foul and filthy, can feed the flame that heats the water that is used to cleanse ourselves. Such preparation of the physical body has a spiritual consequence. That magical transmutation of taking our own shit and making something uplifting and rejuvenating is surely the real alchemy.

So, to the spaces that our ancestors created over the millennium to commune with the divine had a peculiar frequency designed to resonate in environmental spaces. To conjure up creativity, inspiration and hope. That frequency, between 95 and 120 Hz, set up a resonance we are designed to respond to. Strange that men’s voices can reach those frequencies but women cannot. There are some ancient musical instruments that function well in this range such as the timpani drums, 

Tibetan bowls, the Australian digeridoo all resonate at frequencies that we have been hardwired to respond to. Much as our feet set up a beat and movement almost of their own accord in response.

Here too there is a spiritual significance. Our brains were designed over the millennium to respond to this particular short range of frequencies by changing the side of our brain which is dominant.  What if spiritual life and its shared sacred spaces were designed to set up a resonance that lifts your heart, creates hope and inspiration?   What if the constant noise of today’s world blocks out those clear healing vibrations? What, if we are bombarded with frequencies that deplete our mental abilities instead of triggering spiritual progression? Instead, these days we can find ourselves in a solitary cell, plugged into a mobile/laptop, perpetually entertained, distracted from neighbours, friends, loved ones and even yourself.  Traditional cultures can remind us of the community cohesion simple beats can bring to many hearts.

When you hear these pure frequencies, you are reminded that this life was never meant to be a solitary pursuit. There is a shared joy to be on the path of service. To feel your heart filled with peace and love. To be so charged with spirituality that each day, every hour is an opportunity to express that love to each soul you encounter.  Community worship was never meant to be a talking shop, a designer walkway, a place to show your wealth or importance, or an arena to swell with pride at one’s own sanctimoniousness.

It was ever a sacred place to be strengthened together to undertake that internal journey of ourselves that requires both humility and self-sacrifice. Not until we can honestly address our own failings with hope and heart can we begin to offer a precious gift to the wider community.

To recognize we are all on the same journey is important. Perhaps our final measure will rest not on how high we climbed, nor our sins or how much we suffered but on who we encouraged, helped, inspired or forgave along the way.

PS In researching this article I came across in the account of Skeikh Baha’al -din al Amili a reference to a Baha’i scholar named Abdul Hamid Ishraq Khavari who wrote that the Sheikh had adopted the pen name Baha after being inspired by the words of the fifth and sixth Iman’s who had indicated that the greatest name of God, found in a specific prayer and mentioned four times was Baha. My husband as a young teenager in Iran remembers seeing Abdul Hamid Ishraq Khavari in gatherings in Tehran.  How strange are the coincidences that happen in life!  They continually surprise and bewilder.

As a Baha’i myself, I’d like to point out that the Bahai Houses of Worship are places open the public and are exclusively reserved for worship for all, regardless of religion or any other distinction. If you get a chance, do visit these special spaces as they are rather unique.

1.     No musical instruments are used only human voices

2.     No sermons

3.     No clergy

4.     No ritualistic ceremonial practices

5.     No pictures, statues or images

6.     No altars and no pulpits

7.     No collections of money during services

8.     These Houses of Worship are anticipated to have auxiliary structures including schools, hospitals, homes for the elderly, hostels and other social and humanitarian institutions around them

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There are people and things we take for granted until they are taken from us

There was a time when they were just so many weddings. It felt like the whole world had conspired to get married simultaneously. Especially to a 23-year-old me who had never even had a boyfriend! My fridge door was covered in invites and large periods of time was spent buying wedding presents and working out what to wear.  There were so many that they seem to blur into each other.

Then they stopped.  Suddenly it was baby showers that popped up interspersed with children’s birthday parties. Children’s presents, balloons and games dominated everything.

Unexpectedly the weddings stopped and as children grew into teenagers, who sneered at the very thought of a birthday party organised by parents, those parties frizzled out too.

There followed a long period of expectancy with no weddings and no birthday parties. In the gap that followed, we examined all the 20 and 30-year-olds around us wondering if marriage was even on their radar at all.

The sense of expectancy was broken by a funeral of a loved grandparent, then an aunt and uncle. Suddenly it seemed that the wonderful forest in whose shelter you have long stood is being felled. These major oak trees that have remained consistent for eight decades begin to topple. The void they leave is huge. There are people and things we take for granted until they are taken from us. Then the space they leave seems unsustainable, unbearable.  With each new loss, the landscape seems to change and not for the better.

I mourn my uncle with his smiling good humour teaching me about beekeeping. My aunt whose laughter was only exceeded by her golfing expertise. The list goes on I cannot name them all, there are simply too many.

Yesterday another dear friend passed away. I remember her living room, chairs all drawn close, warm and cosy, full of love and anecdotes. Rocking with laughter we shared tales of woe and triumph.  These immense oak trees are falling around us.  I mourn their loss, their integrity, their faithfulness and their love. I want to speak of these great souls and all those who are heartbroken at their loss. But what do words matter?

At one recent funeral my cousin was asked that traditional question, “what charity should contributions be sent?” He explained the family had decided that in lieu of giving money each person was asked to do a good deed in memory of their mother instead. What a lovely way to be remembered. As I see the voids left behind my thoughts turned to searching for actions in their name that will contribute to the betterment of others.  In among the fallen oaks seeds of goodness need to be planted. It seems a befitting fruit of lives well lived.