A Tibetan singing bowl is a kind of bell that vibrates and produces a rich, deep tone when struck. Also known as singing bowls or Himalayan bowls, Tibetan singing bowls are known to induce relaxation and offer powerful healing properties. They are thought to have originated 2500 years ago in the Himalayas (including Bhutan, Tibet, Nepal, and Northern India). Singing bowls have been dated to the time of the historical Buddha Shakyamuni (560–480 BCE) according to oral sources. During this time, some singing bowls were utilized in monasteries and temples for religious purposes, such as leading chants or prayers, promoting meditation, or serving as an offering bowl. Buddhist Mantras are usually written around the bowl’s body, as well as representations of Buddha or Buddhist symbols. It is called a singing bowl because when struck with the mallet, it creates a very calming, soothing, and lingering sound. Singing bowls are more than just a musical experience; they also have profound therapeutic abilities. Nowadays, they have multiple uses besides their religious one, including music therapy, yoga, sound healing, performances, and sometimes as a home accent. Keep reading to discover everything about singing bowls, including how to use them, how they work, and their powerful health benefits.
Singing bowls in Bhutan
As singing bowls create a relaxing, meditative sound, they are frequently used in Buddhist meditation across the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, in both monasteries and homes. It’s used to signal the start and finish of a meditation session, as well as to help the mind focus during meditation. Bhutanese people believe that when a bowl is made, the mantras chanted during its creation are released into the universe, assisting in the path to enlightenment.
When visiting Bhutan, you will frequently witness the bowls being used in monasteries during monks’ meditation periods and religious events. Due to their strong functions in tantric meditation techniques as well as therapeutic meditation, Singing bowls are becoming increasingly popular in Western countries.
Healing benefits of Singing Bowl Therapy
Stress relief and deep relaxation
Singing bowls from the Himalayas are an excellent approach to induce relaxation and anxiety reduction. Quantum physics has proven that everything has a vibration, be it a table, a chair, a person, a planet or a cosmos. And wherever there is a sound, there is a vibration. When the waves produced by singing bowls were recorded, scientists discovered wave patterns which were the same as the alpha waves produced by our brain. These waves give a feeling of deep relaxation. The singing bowl’s vibrations can harmonize your cells, balance your energy system, and provide profound relaxation in your body. It enables you to become more anchored in the present with a feeling of peace and harmony and clear views of the path ahead.
Cleanses Negative energy
You can use singing bowl therapy to remove anger, hatred, and negativity from the body. By balancing emotions, addressing core difficulties, and clearing blockages, it aids in the removal of negative energy. It alters the pattern of brain waves and assists you in escaping the negative vibrations brought on by the mind of abhorrence.
Ensure deep sleep
If you wish to have a better night’s sleep and minimize stress and worry in your daily life? Singing bowl therapy is a good option. Singing bowls can help you develop clarity and a deep, serene state of mind, which can in turn help you sleep better. The vibration produced by the bowl synchronizes with your breathing, making you feel calmer.
Enhancing other healing practices
Some individuals combine the bowls with other healing techniques like meditation and deep breathing. They can be utilized for sound therapy as well as the treatment of a variety of diseases. Singing Bowls create the kind of energy that heals your body, mind, and soul. When you play these bowls, you generate a concentrated impact that synchronizes the left and right sides of your brain. They have an incredible power to soothe the listener’s mind.
Making of Singing Bowls
The traditional method of making Himalayan singing bowls has existed for centuries, but due to contemporary technology, the tradition is fading. Modern singing bowls are created by machines from a bronze alloy called “bell metal,” which is a blend of copper and tin, but they don’t have the same flawless tone as hand-crafted bowls.
However, traditional Tibetan singing bowls in Bhutan are made by hand, hammering out their shape from sheets of metal alloy. The bowls are made of a variety of metals, including high-quality bronze. It also has gold, silver, mercury, lead, and iron from meteorites. The iron, known in Tibet as thogcha, or “sky metal,” is highly coveted for its pure iron content and low trace element content.
How to play singing bowl?
Singing Bowls are simple to play and provide a lovely, bright sound that appears to awaken and ‘clean’ the atmosphere. The simplest technique to play a singing bowl is to strike it. This is an excellent introduction to playing the bowl for people of all ages. Simply place the bowl in your non-dominant hand’s palm and the mallet in your dominant hand’s palm. Then, holding the mallet like a baton, lightly strike the bowl’s mid-exterior wall with the padded side of the mallet. A nice, deep tone will be produced by striking the bowl. Before striking the bowl again, let the sound and vibrations disperse completely.
One can also play his Tibetan singing bowl by rubbing the edge with the wood or leather of his mallet. Care must be taken to ensure that the mallet remains permanently in contact with the metal of the bowl, that the pressure is constant and the speed of movement is regular. After a few moments, a vibration arises from the bowl and starts to intensify as you rub the edge of the singing bowl.
The pitch of the bowl is determined by its thickness, size, and weight. The pitch is set, but the power of the tap, the hardness of the mallet, and the point of percussion can affect tone and volume. To experience the amazing tone, tap the bowl first, or simply strike the bowl lightly like a bell.
Sound is one of the many effective methods available today to help us relax, reduce stress, and improve other healing practices. The benefits of sound therapy are both profound and accessible with singing bowls, no matter where you are. So, get your own Tibetan singing bowl and enjoy a lifetime of newfound serenity and tranquility.
