Our Story
Wondrousound is a holistic platform born of a life in music, law and social justice advocacy that tipped me (Rachel Butt) over the edge and deep into the wonders of mindfulness, meditation and the yoga of sound.
In 2016 I received a national award for outstanding advocacy, toured a new album + burnt out in the same year. I’d spent years pushing beyond my limits to ‘achieve’ change and meet the capitalist demands of the music industry and my body-mind was fried. I started doing this thing called ‘yoga’ and discovered the wisdom teachings of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh who told me:
”What you need, what we all need, is silence. Stop the noise in your mind in order for the wondrous sounds of life to be heard. Then you can begin to live your life authentically and deeply.”
Instincts led me to Plum Village Mindfulness Practice Centre to help me let go of the old story and allow an authentic way of being to emerge through the practice of mindfulness. I started writing new music that embraced the art of sound as a healing tool and retraced ancestral lines to train with Masters in the yoga of sound + silence. I began to live in greater harmony with this ‘wondrousound’ of life moving through me and develop a body of work to help others do the same for the benefit of all. With gratitude to all my teachers, The 5 Mindfulness Trainings and the source of wisdom that lives within each of us, I am excited to share this path with you!
Education + Training
2024 – Sept – December – Spiritual Mentorship Training (The Lotus Institute) 12 week online course
2022 – April – June – Rhythm, Race + Revolution (Dr. Aditi) 10 week online course tracing sonics of resistance & transformative justice
2022 – Mindfulness Course Leader Training – Plum Village UK
2018 – July – Gong Master Training (Gong Master Don Conreaux), UK
2017 – October – Mantra Chanting for Health + Wellbeing (Chanting Master Radha Sundararajan), Finland
2017 – April/May 200hrs Hatha Yoga (RYT) Kalimpong, India
2008 – 2011 – Law LLB (1st class honours) University of Sussex, UK
2003 – 2001 Music – BTec ND (Distinction) Warwickshire College, UK
''You don't play the gong, the gong plays you''
Gong Master Don Conreaux
Plum Village Mindfulness Practice Centre
Mindfulness Retreats (In the tradition of Zen Master and Peace Activist Thich Naht Hanh)
2024 May – Coming Home to Mother Earth 2 week retreat Plum Village France, (volunteer)
2023 June – Sept – Summer Opening Retreat / Teenage Programme / UH Farm PV France, (volunteer)
2020 Sept – Sept 2021 Long Term Resident at Plum Village, France (community development volunteer)
2019 Sept – Dec – 90 day Rains Retreat Plum Village, France
2019 August – Wake Up Earth Retreat, Plum Village, France (service meditation facilitator)
2019 July – Summer Opening Retreat, Plum Village, France (service meditation facilitator)
2019 June – Neuroscience and Mindfulness Retreat, Plum Village, France (service meditation facilitator)
2019 June – Business and Mindfulness Retreat, Plum Village, France (service meditation facilitator)
2018 June – 21 Day Retreat, Plum Village, France (service meditation facilitator)
2017 December – Core Sangha Retreat, Thai Pum Village, Thailand
2017 July – Summer Opening Retreat, Plum Village, France (service meditation facilitator)
2016 August – Wake Up Earth Retreat, Plum Village, France