Singing bowls

Sound massage using singing bowls is a great natural way to restore body harmony. Their calming properties can naturally bring peace to the soul and focus the mind. The vibration and sound produced by singing the bowl creates a type of energy that works with the body in many ways and can produce several positive results, such as a deep sense of calm and reduced mental and emotional stress.

The origin of Tibetan singing bowls is shrouded in mystery, just as their homeland in the cloud-shrouded Himalayas is mysterious. The predecessors of today's singing bowls are thought to have been in use as early as 5,000 years ago, but there is little written evidence of their origins to date.

The Tibetan roots of the singing bowls added to their historical ambiguity. Although singing bowls were found inside monasteries, Tibetan monks did not talk about these bowls at all. The monks' holy text, the Tibetan Buddhist canon, also contained no information about the bowls. Anecdotal references say that Tibetan lamas and higher-ranking monks used these bowls for secret, sacred rituals. It is even said that these rituals were so spiritual that they gave the monks the ability to astral project and travel to other realms and time dimensions.

During the Chinese invasion of Tibet in the mid-19th century, the lamas and monks were forced to flee, taking with them all their possessions, including their singing bowls. To survive the crisis, they were forced to sell their singing bowls and other items of significant value. This circumstance led to the fact that the bowls spread throughout the world, but at the same time the knowledge of their esoteric properties disappeared. Today, the mystical sounds of singing bowls can be heard in many different places such as healing centers, yoga studios, classrooms, temples and many other places including our homes. But one thing remains - singing bowls are still as powerful spiritual, healing and musical instruments as they were thousands of years ago.

Regardless of their true origins, singing bowls have been used for a variety of purposes throughout history: meditation, alternative healing, religion, music, and even as currency. Today, they are a popular tool for sound healers, music therapists and yoga practitioners around the world.

The best Tibetan singing bowls are traditionally constructed from seven metals: gold, silver, mercury, copper, iron, tin and lead, which correspond to the seven planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn).

Spiritual and meditative use

Due to their soothing and meditative sound, singing bowls were often used in Himalayan monasteries and homes to mark the beginning or end of a meditation period. Singing bowls were also used to help the mind focus and achieve a state of pure relaxation. Not only Tibetans believe that whenever a singing bowl is played, mantras and good wishes are created in it, which are then released into the universe to flow freely through space.

The use of singing bowls in alternative treatment

Hindus believe that the world began with sound and therefore sound plays a very important role in our body and in the universe as a whole. Sound as an alternative healing method has been practiced in many cultures for many centuries. It is believed that the gentle and unique sound of the singing bowl can deeply affect our bodies and can beneficially affect the physical and psychological state of the body. Our bodies contain several energy centers, or chakras, that run from head to toe. These energy centers are believed to correspond to specific tones that singing bowls can naturally produce.

Alternative healers usually use several smaller bowls with flatter bottoms and place them on top of these energy centers. The resonance and vibration of singing bowls placed on these energy centers is believed to penetrate more deeply than larger and heavier bowls that are usually placed above or next to the body. In traditional Tibetan medicinal practice, singing bowls are also believed to enhance the effectiveness of various medicinal herbs. Chanting bowls helps patients develop a sense of calm and well-being and is also said to help relieve pain through positive relaxation of the mind, suppression of inner tension, restlessness and stress.

Using a singing bowl for physical relaxation

Singing bowls used in sound massages are usually designed for long-term use and focus more on vibration than sound produced. Vibrating sound massage allows the body to achieve peace on an internal and external level. Singing bowls of various weights and sizes are usually placed directly on top of the body, but may also be placed around the body.

The human body consists of approximately 60% water. Water has a deep synergy with the vibrational patterns of the singing bowl tones and thus better connects and transports important elements in the body. Water is the body's own substance, therefore the vibrations of the tones of the singing bowls are completely natural and very pleasant to the body. Vibrating sound massages can allow these positive elements to flow freely in the body. In most cases, this type of therapy is reported to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue, and other similar conditions.

How to play the bowl?

Hold the bowl gently in the palm of your hand to vibrate the bowl. With a wooden mallet, begin to circle the top edge, maintaining even pressure. Gradually increase the speed of the swirl, and this will achieve a strong sound of the vibrating bowl. To make the bowl vibrate, you can tap it with a mallet. Whether you use the bowl for meditation or relaxation, it will positively affect you forever.