Finding Stillness in a Sunflower Field: My First Gong Bath Experience

There are some experiences that seem to stay with you long after they have finished, and recently I had one of those moments in the most beautiful setting — surrounded by sunflowers, listening to the deep, resonating sounds of gongs.

As someone who loves both nature and the quieter side of wellness, a gong bath in a sunflower field felt like the perfect combination of the two. It was peaceful, a little bit magical, and such a lovely reminder of how important it can be to make space for ourselves amongst the busyness of everyday life.

What Is a Gong Bath?

Despite the name, there’s no water involved! A gong bath is a form of sound meditation where you relax while different gongs and instruments are played around you.

The sound moves through the space in waves — sometimes soft and gentle, sometimes much deeper and more powerful. Rather than needing to concentrate on anything in particular, you can simply lie back, listen and allow yourself to switch off for a while, definately something I feel everyone could practice... supprisingly harder than I thought!

There was nothing I needed to achieve, nowhere I needed to be and nothing I needed to think about.

I could simply be there.

Wellness Surrounded by Nature

The setting made the experience even more special.

We were right in the middle of a sunflower field, being outdoors already has a way of making me feel a little more grounded, but combining that with the sound of the gongs created such a peaceful atmosphere.

It is one of the reasons nature plays such an important part in Winters Bloom.

Wellness does not always have to mean a complicated routine or completely changing your lifestyle. Sometimes it can simply mean sitting outside with a cup of tea, tending to your plants, lighting a favourite candle, taking a few deep breaths or making time for an experience that helps you feel present.

For me, this gong bath was exactly that.

Actually Getting to Play the Gongs

One of my favourite parts of the experience came afterwards when I was given the opportunity to have a go at playing the gongs myself.

I had not realised quite how different each gong could sound depending on where and how you struck it and just how big and BEAUTIFUL they were!

Some produced these incredibly deep vibrations while others created softer, almost shimmering sounds. You could feel the resonance as much as hear it.

It gave me a completely new appreciation for the skill involved in creating a gong bath and how carefully the sounds are brought together.

And, admittedly, there was something incredibly satisfying about being able to create such a huge sound from one instrument!

Creating Small Moments of Calm

I left the sunflower field feeling calmer and more settled, but the biggest thing I took away from the experience was a reminder to deliberately create more moments of stillness.

Life can become very focused on what needs doing next.

Work.

Housework.

Plans.

Phones.

Appointments.

The never-ending list.

Experiences like this give us permission to stop for a moment.

And while we might not all have a sunflower field and a collection of gongs waiting in our gardens, we can still create little rituals that encourage us to slow down.

It might be:

• spending ten quiet minutes in the garden

• journaling in the evening

• enjoying warm drink without looking at your phone

• practising yoga or gentle stretching

• lighting a candle and reading

• listening to calming music

• growing flowers you love

• creating a little outdoor corner purely for relaxing

Small moments can still feel meaningful.

Where Garden and Wellness Meet

This experience also felt particularly special because it brought together the two things at the heart of Winters Bloom — garden and wellness.

I have always loved the idea that our gardens and outdoor spaces can become part of the way we look after ourselves.

They do not need to be perfectly designed.

They do not need to be huge.

Even a few plants on a windowsill, a favourite flower growing in a pot or a comfortable chair tucked into a sunny corner can create somewhere that feels like your own little retreat.

Nature encourages us to notice the seasons, slow down and enjoy what is happening around us.

A Little Reminder to Slow Down

Would I go to another gong bath?

Absolutely.

Especially if somebody can arrange another one in a field of flowers!

But more than anything, the experience reminded me that wellness does not always have to be something we do.

Sometimes wellness is simply giving ourselves a little space.

Space to rest.

Space to listen.

Space to breathe.

And space to notice the beauty growing around us.

That is something I hope to continue bringing into Winters Bloom too — little things that help make our homes, gardens and everyday routines feel just a little more joyful, calming and intentional.

With love,
Winters Bloom 🌻