Evgeny Vetrov
A gong master practicing in Riga
Evgeny Vetrov — gong master
I conduct weekly gong therapy sessions in Riga.
I work with the unique Grotta Sonora octagong.
- Every Thursday
- 19:30
- Ķeguma iela 50
1. First acquaintance with sound
How the gong changed my perception
»
Like many, I previously knew only that gongs sound loud and powerful in orchestras. But one day, I had a revelation that completely changed my perception of this amazing instrument.
I went to a musician friend's house with the intention of buying a Tibetan singing bowl. The deal was a success, and it seemed that was all. But then the owner suddenly asked, "Would you like to hear a gong?"
A silver metal gong, about 60 cm in diameter, appeared before me. The musician picked up a hammer and began striking its surface. A sharp noise erupted, causing everyone present to involuntarily cringe. Honestly, at that moment I thought the gong was just a loud metal disk.
But curiosity got the better of me. I picked up the hammer, dampened the vibration, and, steeling myself, delivered one firm, but not forceful, blow right into the center. And a miracle happened: the gong came to life. Instead of noise, it produced a soft, deep, enveloping sound, filled with melody and vibration. It wasn't just a sound—it was singing.
Someone in the room said: «Behold, the hand of a master!» And I thought: it’s true, the gong can only be revealed to those who know how to hear its soul.
I left with that amazing sound that was lodged somewhere deep inside.
2. First experience of meditation
How My First Gong Meditation Experience Inspired Me to Become a Gong Master
»
And as if by fate, just a month later I was offered a real gong meditation session—40 minutes for just the two of us. I couldn't refuse.
The session took place in a cozy private home. An entire room was dedicated to meditation, furnished with soft rugs, singing bowls, candles, and two enormous planetary gongs—the Sun and the Moon.
The meditation began gently: the quiet, infrequent strikes of the gong lulled me into a daze. Thoughts drifted in and out, and I tried to understand what the master was doing to create such a sound. Gradually, the sounds grew more powerful, but did not disturb my state. I settled in comfortably, allowed myself to let go of my thoughts—and suddenly felt myself flying.
Clouds of yellow and violet light appeared before my eyes. Then they dispersed, and I found myself in a boundless black space, strewn with billions of stars. I didn't just see it—I was moving through this universe, and my only desire was to keep flying. This feeling of weightlessness and peace is hard to forget.
When the gongs fell silent, I didn't immediately realize the session was over. The master quietly left, and I lay in silence for another 7-10 minutes, as if filling with a new state. Only when he returned and congratulated us on our first real gong session did I finally return to reality.
From that day on, I began actively looking for an opportunity to acquire my own gong.
3. In Search of Personal Gong
Choosing a gong with your soul
»
Over the course of a year, I studied everything: the types of gongs, their structure, the peculiarities of gong therapy, and sound meditation. I met renowned masters and manufacturers, corresponded with them, and planned a trip to visit them.
And so Tatyana and I were already sitting on the plane—an encounter with a multitude of gongs lay ahead. But most importantly, I realized: you can't just buy a gong. You need to choose it with your soul, as if engaging in a dialogue with it. Only the instrument that resonates with your heart will become a true companion in your practice.
And so we found ourselves in the extraordinary Grotta Sonora studio, where the space was hung with gongs of various sizes, from 50 cm to 150 cm in diameter. The atmosphere resembled a fairytale hall, filled with vibration and sound. At first, we were asked to simply listen to the sounds of the various gongs, and then we ourselves picked up a hammer and tested their power.
Each instrument was unique: some resembled the ringing of bells, others the breath of the earth. But the gong impressed me most, its sound reminiscent of the guttural chanting of Tibetan monks. Its deep vibrations penetrated the very essence, creating a wonderful sense of harmony.
4. Octogong Grotta Sonora
The perfect gong has been found
»
Just when it seemed the choice had been made, a true revelation occurred. Tatyana approached an unusual octagonal gong (it hung off to the side)—an octogong—and struck the center. It wasn't a sound, but a pure vibration that penetrated my chest and seemed to open my consciousness upward. I asked her to repeat it—and the effect was the same: a profound sense of expansion and transcendence.
The studio owner explained that this instrument is rare and unique. This Grotta Sonora Octogong is distinguished by its unique alloy, shape, and rich sound with multifaceted overtones. It is especially prized in gong therapy due to its low frequencies, which purify space and act on the body at a deep level.
5. My Journey to Gong Mastery at Grotta Sonora
A journey into the world of sound, vibrations and awareness
»
Studying at Grotta Sonora is a journey into the world of sound, vibration, and awareness. Here I received in-depth training in gong playing, where each session became a living dialogue with the instrument itself.
From the very beginning, I was immersed in the basics: how to hold the hammers correctly, how to feel the weight of my hand, how to vary the force of my strike. But most importantly, I was shown that the gong responds not only to physical impact but also to internal states. This isn't mechanics; it's skill.
The true masters of Grotta Sonora revealed little secrets: how to alternate vibrations, how to "guide" the sound so that it lives, breathes, and never falters. They corrected my movements, guided me, but most importantly, they taught me to hear the gong. Not just listen to the sound, but merge with it, be in its flow.
That's how our story with the octogong began. Today, this instrument lives in Riga, and we've been holding weekly gong therapy sessions since August 2024. Unlike traditional meditation events, which take place every few months, our gong is played weekly, every Thursday at 7:30 PM at Ķeguma 50.
Participants note the power and uniqueness of the octogong, its ability to relieve tension, energize, and bring inner peace. In gong therapy, it's impossible to dictate the terms—you simply need to tune into the gong's vibrations and allow them to guide you deeper.
Every sound is a cleansing. Every vibration is a step in restoration.
Let the gong meditation with the Grotta Sonora octogong become a space for you to reboot and return to your true self, and I will Evgeny Vetrov, I will be your guide.
