The dream machine
The Dream Machine & Gongs
Sound journey sessions can also be combined with the Dreamachine, which is introduced gently at the beginning of a session to help guide you into a calm, receptive state. As the rhythmic light encourages the relaxed alpha and theta brainwave states associated with deep rest, the mind begins to settle before the sound journey unfolds. Together, the Dreamachine and the gongs complement one another beautifully, with light drawing awareness inward and sound carrying the experience into a deeper sense of presence and stillness.
Please note that because the Dreamachine uses rhythmic flickering light, it is not suitable for everyone. If you have photosensitive epilepsy, a seizure disorder or any related condition, use of the Dreamachine is not recommended.
A complimentary mini taster session is available by prior arrangement for anyone booking a standard or extended sound journey, offering an opportunity to experience the Dream machine before deciding whether to include it as part of your future sessions.
Alongside the gongs, I also work with the Dreamachine, a light-based device with a fascinating history. Originally conceived by the artist Brion Gysin and engineer Ian Sommerville in the late 1950s, the Dreamachine was inspired by a remarkable experience Gysin had while travelling through a tree-lined avenue at sunset. With his eyes closed, the rhythm of sunlight flickering through the trees created an extraordinary display of colour, pattern and movement within his mind. That moment became the foundation for a new way of exploring consciousness through light.
The original Dreamachine used a rotating cylinder surrounding a light source, producing rhythmic pulses of light at a frequency that corresponds with the brain's natural alpha state. Experienced with the eyes closed, these gentle flickers can encourage vivid patterns, colours and shifting visual landscapes, inviting a deeply restorative and meditative experience. Gysin envisioned the Dreamachine as the first artwork to be experienced with the eyes closed, blending creativity, science and inner exploration.
The Dreamachine I use is a contemporary interpretation of Gysin's original vision, designed and engineered in France by Dream Machine Technology. Using precisely controlled LED light rather than a rotating cylinder, it delivers carefully programmed sessions that support relaxation, focus, creativity and quiet reflection. It honours the spirit of the original invention while embracing a modern understanding of how rhythmic light can gently support the nervous system and encourage deep states of rest. It is intended as a tool for wellbeing and personal exploration and is not a medical device.