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Archive for the 'Golden Ratio' Category

Soft Sounds Alarm Clock – An Acoustic Clock

Floating Away... Ukiyo-e by Takeuchi KeishÃ

Floating Away... Ukiyo-e by Takeuchi KeishÃ

Digital Zen Alarm Clock features

1) Alarm Function, features Now & Zen’s signature 10-minute wake up chime sequence—the perfect amount of time for your progressive awakening.   The chime strikes gradually increase according to a golden ratio progression, which you can read about on pages 26-28 of the clock’s booklet, available on Now & Zen’s website.

(2) Countdown timer, perfect for meditation, counts backwards from any set time.  It can be set from a minimum of 10 seconds to a maximum of 20 hours.  When the timer reaches zero it strikes the chime once, and then begins its preprogrammed progression of chime strikes—striking again in 3 minutes, then in one minute—the same progression as the alarm sequence.  We usually set ours for 20 minutes, but then linger in meditation for the first few chime strikes once the strike sequence begins.

(3) Interval timer, is perfect for yoga or other practices wherein a periodic reminder can help guide you through the practice.  The interval timer uses the same function as the countdown timer except when it counts down to zero, it strikes only once and then begins counting down again from the pre-set time, continuously.  We set the interval timer to strike every minute during yoga sessions to signal the time to change positions.

(4) Hour Chime, is a wonderful feature with many uses.  The clock can be set to simply chime once on the hour every hour (muted automatically when the alarm is set, so you can sleep).  We use this feature in our office to help the day go by, and when it rings on the hour it helps end meetings on time with a crisp “ding”.

Digital Zen Alarm Clocks, available in maple, walnut, bamboo, and black lacquer

Digital Zen Alarm Clocks, available in maple, walnut, bamboo, and black lacquer

(5) The Chime’s tone, the Digital Zen Clock comes in either a 7 inch “B Tone” or a 9 inch “E Tone” chime.  These long-resonating acoustic chimes have been hand tuned using the natural Pythagorean tuning method to produce the same frequencies as the tuning forks used by musical therapists.  The chime strike force can be set to “Low” or “High” to create a tone optimal for you.

(6) Power and light, the clock runs on AC power (plug included) or on 2 AA batteries (not included).   The LCD display is lighted.  When in battery mode the light comes on by touching any button and goes off automatically in 10 seconds to save power.  When the clock is plugged in it can be set so that the display light stays on permanently.

Chime Alarm Clock - Soft Sounds Alarm Clocks

Chime Alarm Clock - Soft Sounds Alarm Clocks

Now & Zen’s Acoustic Alarm Clock Shop

1638 Pearl Street

Boulder, CO  80302

(800) 779-6383

Posted in Chime Alarm Clocks, Golden Ratio, Japanese Inspired Zen Clocks, Meditation Timers, Meditation Tools, Natural Awakening, Now & Zen Alarm Clocks, Progressive Awakening, Yoga Timer, Yoga Timers by Now & Zen, Zen Timers


Gradual “Golden Ratio” Progression Alarm Clock – A Gradual Clock

Zen Alarm Clocks Awaken You with 'Golden Ratio' Progression of Chime Strikes

Nautilus Shell has Inspired Maker's of Zen Alarm Clocks

The Zen Alarm Clock wakes you with a “Golden Ratio” progression of chime sounds

The Zen Clock’s progressive chiming takes place over about 10 minutes.  This progression is measured from the first strike of the chime until the clock reaches its final cycle of continuous chiming, about every 5 seconds, until shut off.  The sequence of chime strikes within this 10 minute cycle is designed to approximate the “Golden Ratio.”  The Golden Ratio, also known as the “Golden Mean”, the “Divine Proportion,” or simply “Phi,” is a special relationship between any given whole and a specific part thereof.  Nature uses the Golden Ratio as its formula for creation.

The simplest expression of the Golden Ratio is in the division of a line:  A line with a given length is divided into a small part and a large part.  The relationship of the small segment of the line to the large segment of the line is in the same proportion as the relationship of the large segment to the line as a whole.

Golden Ratio

Golden Ratio

The Golden Ratio has been used since ancient times by artists, architects and designers to express harmony and balance.  The beauty of the Golden Ratio is that all three parts––the small part, the large part, and the whole––are in perfect proportion with each other.  Nature uses this divine proportion to grow from within itself.  Golden Ratio relationships are everywhere in nature––from the human body to the solar system.  The progressive sequence of the Zen Alarm Clock’s chime expresses the Golden Ratio by dividing the 10 minute time “line” into smaller and smaller Golden ratios.  The first chime divides the line at 3 minutes and 27 seconds.  The next chime divides the large part of the original division (the remaining 6 and a half minutes of the 10 minute cycle) by the same ratio.  The process continues as illustrated below.  The interval between chime strikes thus diminishes from within itself according to the Golden Ratio.

Progression Chart

Progression Chart

The self-accumulating growth which is the essence of the Golden Ratio finds its most elegant natural expression in a “golden spiral.”  A golden spiral is one which grows narrower as it turns inward.   Nautilus shells, galaxies, whirlpools, and even your fist are examples of golden spirals.  The progression of the Zen Alarm Clock’s chime forms an audible golden spiral.  The clock thus echoes nature’s expression of divine harmony as it provides for a progressive awakening.

Nautilus Shell

Nautilus Shell

To see the whole line of golden ratio inspired Zen Clocks, call for a catalog or see our website.

www.now-zen.com

Now & Zen – The Gradual Alarm Clock Store

1638 Pearl St.

Boulder, CO  80302

(800) 779-6383

Gradual Progression Alarm Clocks

Gradual Progression Alarm Clocks

Posted in Golden Ratio, Now & Zen Alarm Clocks