Articles - CD Reviews“Opening the heart to lOVE”, "Opening the heart to JOY" and "Opening the heart to Compassion" Distributed by New World Music & The Karyna Centre for Transformation Opening the heart to Compassion 
The Art of Living issue 19, Vol 2 2007
“Up until receiving Opening the heart to compassion, I have found listening to the sounds of crystal bowls has not been easy. But after talking with Susie, and re-listening to this CD I learned a new way of listening – which is actually, just to let the sounds flow over you. Then, it becomes a whole different experience as you tune in and out of a sound experience. I really felt that different parts of me were responding at different times ie. The mind, then the heart, then the body, although this was all happening fairly subconsciously. Opening the heart to compassion has been specifically created to assist with the transformation and opening of our hearts to more love, forgiveness and acceptance. It is also a great introduction to crystal bowls.” Reviewed by Adrian Tamburini for Living NOW publication November 2002 edition
A truly beautiful CD of the music of pure quartz crystal bowls. Compared to conventional singing bowls, quartz crystal bowls do not have a metallic edge to the sound. The peaceful CD by Susie Nelson-Smith seems to concentrate on the purity of sound produced by each individual bowl, which allows the natural harmonics and vibrations of each bowl to work on the listener. Beautifully packaged, this CD is accompanied by a detailed booklet that gives you instructions on meditation practice while listening. I will always recommend listening to the sound of crystal bowls as it allows there to be stillness within sound in a meditative practice. Reviewed in Nature and Health October/November 2001 edition "Gliding on the wings of love, my heart opens to the vibration of compassion." So begin the sleeve notes of this rare treasure. Suzie's 'singing bowls' are manufactured from quartz crystal, which is at the core of the whole communications and technology industry around the world. The vibrations of these bowls, however, are pure tones which elicit an incredible physical and emotional response in the body, balancing to the seven notes of the chakra centres, 'C' through to 'B', in the white-note scale. Our bodies are basically 'living crystals' to which these sounds speak; opening our emotional centres for cleansing, our physical structure to repair and balance and our minds to clarity and freedom from all that may limit us."
Opening the heart to lOVE  Reviewed by Justine Dyas for Living NOW publication January/February 2004 edition
“Listening to this CD by Susie Nelson-Smith can easily transport you. You are made aware of vibration – especially that of sound. It is easy to tap into a quiet space as the world around you may be racing by. (This I can really attest to; because of time constraints at work I had to listen to half of the CD while driving a car – not recommended!). It reminded me of the movie Baraka; here I was in a beautiful calm space just watching the world, and, while it went on racing and moving so quickly, its crazy pace had no impact on me. How nice it would be to always be in that space! With this CD you can either let yourself drift or concentrate and focus on the many different sound vibrations present”.
Natalie Southgate and Douglas Channing, Founder and partner in Chakradance
"The vibrations of the rose crystal bowls have such a therapeutic effect in harmonising our entire being. Susie’s playing of the bowls lifts one into a realm that transcends space and time. In this state one feels a deep sense of joy, beauty and peace. We thank you Susie for sharing such a unique and sacred experience with us".
Michelle McGrath, sacred self, Sydney
"Opening the Heart to Love is one of my favourite CD's to have playing during a healing session with clients. As a practitioner I feel surrounded and protected by the loving vibration of Susie playing the crystal bowls as clients’ access those deeper layers of their centres. We are bathed and soothed by the tones as the waves of vibration wash over us. I also enjoy meditating to the sounds of the bowls and feel calmer and balanced. I sense the sounds and tones loosening any stagnant energy and rebalancing my energy fields. It is wonderful to be reminded of who we really are in this simple, powerful way. "I am love. I am light." and Carmen's haunting ethereal voice adds another uplifting layer. Simple and profound. I think this will be a favourite for a long time."
Lia Scallon, Sounds of Sirius
"From the first sounds of 'Opening the Heart to Love', you will find yourself transported to another dimension - suspended in the pure, sweet tones of Susie's crystal bowls. Feel all stress melt away as the sounds envelop you, wrapping you up in a totally timeless space of peace and love. Punctuated by Carmen Warrington's 'other worldly' vocals, 'Opening the Heart to Love' is a truly beautiful journey into the sanctuary of self."
Opening the heart to JOY  Reviewed by Terry Stephens for Living NOW publication August 2003
If you can set aside 50 minutes for your own upliftment, then this CD will reward you handsomely. The music of the 12 quartz crystal 'singing bowls' will smooth the furrows on your brow, and transport you to a place of tranquillity. For me , it felt as if the pulsating resonances were putting my Humpty Dumpty mind "back together again", settling all those worries and restoring my sense of peace.
There are some clever devices for keeping your attention on the music. About a quarter of the way through, you will briefly hear what sounds like a kettle-drum (which somehow fits the ambience perfectly well); then at about half way through, and also towards the end, you will hear a few bars of a piano-like notes (which also fit seamlessly). There are also subtle changes of pace for just a few moments, then the music returns to its reflective calming pace that is the hallmark of this beautiful CD.
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