Sample Gong Sequence play by Yogi Bhajan

Begin at Point 9
Duration: Thirty Seconds
Move between Points 9 and 0

Three beats at position 9
then one beat at position 0
Duration: One minute
Rotate over the four
Points 9 > 6 > 3 > 12
One beat on each point
Duration: Two minutes
Alternate between the top
and bottom of Point 0.
One beat at each point.
Duration: Two minutes
Faster, steady beat at
bottom of Point 0
Duration: One minute
Rotate over the four
Points 9 > 6 > 3 > 12
One beat on each point.
Duration: One minute
Steady beat at Point 6
Duration: One minute
Hold mallet still on
center to finish

The Learning Curve

Even an excellent student of the gong will progress through the stages of the learning curve.
Those five stages are called saram pad, karam pad, shakti pad, sehej pad and sat pad.

In saram pad you are attracted to the use of the gong and you learn basic rules that are clear to
follow. This initiates you and prevents gross mistakes. The points given earlier of 0, 12, 3, 6, and 9
are classical gong percussion points. At first it is good to experiment just with these. Let each
gong playing session go from 3 minutes to a maximum of 6 minutes. This will prevent fatigue
and build the strength of the muscles.

In karam pad you begin to learn from the many hours of practice. You play the gong under many
situations. The audience varies. You will sense things that are not easily written. You switch points
as the low versus high pitch ratio switches and the feeling of rotation and projection increases
in the upper body. It is like learning to ride a bike and tell the difference between leaning into a
curve and falling from lack of surface friction. In this stage many hours of practice and listening
to tapes of Yogi Bhajan playing the gong will guide your reflexes.

In shakti pad you begin to sense when to bend the rules. You play more points and the sequences
seem to come from the spontaneous situation. It is very important at this stage to stay emotionally
and mentally in the elevated place you are guided to by the initial mantras. It is easy for the
ego to feel pleased with increased skill. This attachment and attention to the pleasure of the
skill itself will distract you from paying attention to the impact on the class. In this stage you will
learn from student’s energy changes and from the challenges of a good teacher.

In sehej pad you will learn patterns of sequences and respond to the circumstances and students
almost automatically. You will focus on the goal and the state and not on the techniques themselves.
This state is only achieved through extensive practice and a willingness to become an
instrument of the higher mind.

Sat pad is a stage of merger and mastery given by grace and much service done in humility.
The final stage is never attained by effort, but by a new perspective that comes through the
free grace of the higher self.

To begin with, start as a novice. Follow the clear rules and be patient. Allow your sensitivity to
grow and to mold to the task of the gong. Do not try to force the gong to serve your purpose.
Diligence and willingness to receive negative as well as positive feedback will guide you to
become an excellent practitioner of this ancient technique.