Rest deeply in waves of sound with Fran Bak, who has shared the gong across 17 of Bhutan’s 20 districts since 2019.
A sound journey is a deep, restful meditation where gongs, singing bowls and chimes wash over you, and the busy mind finally goes quiet. No experience needed, nothing to get right.
A sound bath is an immersive meditation in sound. You sit or lie down while gongs, singing bowls, Koshi chimes, bells, shakers and drums create waves of sound around you. Fran likes to call it a buffet: each note offers something, and your body takes what it needs.
Every week, people gather at Gikuna Village in Thimphu to rest in sound together. Each session begins with a short introduction to the gong, then about an hour of sound, and ends with a gentle sharing circle. Come alone or bring a friend.
From college mental health days to children’s mindfulness programmes, Fran designs sound sessions that support wellbeing at work and in learning.
Fran has brought sound meditation to Royal Thimphu College, the Royal Institute of Management and early childhood centres. She can design sessions for staff wellbeing, student mental health or community events.
Fran Bak’s journey with the gong began in Bali in 2017, following the loss of her husband of thirty years. What began as a deeply personal experience became the beginning of an unexpected spiritual pilgrimage, one that continues to unfold through her exploration of sound and silence.
Fran first visited Bhutan in 2019, developing a deep connection with its people, culture and spiritual traditions. She returned in 2021 as the only tourist permitted to enter the Kingdom under its post-COVID travel restrictions.
Since then, Fran has actively shared the gong throughout Bhutan. Her work includes performances at Bhutan Echoes, presenting a paper and performing at the Vajrayana Conference, and bringing sound experiences to schools, community organizations, private groups and international visitors. She also offers weekly public gong sessions, providing a regular opportunity for people to experience the power of sound and silence. Her commitment to the community is central to her work, bringing people together through listening and shared experience.
In 2022, Fran was featured in the documentary "We All Just Need to Gong", exploring the world of the gong and its practitioners.
