tibetan-bowl

Tibetan bowl

Discover how Tibetan bowls are fantastic musical instruments for our well-being and much more.

Indeed, there is an ideal state of deep well-being in each of us in which our energy centers vibrate in balance and harmony, like a large orchestra.

In our daily lives, however, the rhythms and stress to which we are subjected can make this balance precarious and predispose us to greater risks to our physical, mental and spiritual health. Singing bowls are an excellent way to rebalance our energetic vibrations.

 

The origins of the Singing Bowl

The first singing bowls appeared in Tibet, Nepal and the entire Himalayan region at least 4000 years ago and their main use was initially to store food and personal items. They were hand forged from alloys of various metals and their sound warned of the arrival of monks / shamans in the villages.

The shamans used the sound of singing bowls to invoke the powerful energy of the universe, communicate with the world of the dead, initiate powerful self-healing processes and accompany the dying across the great threshold.

With the advent of Buddhism, monks began to insert singing bowls into their ceremonies, recognizing in their vibration very powerful energies the sound of the Universe itself.

The secrets of this power were transmitted orally from master to disciple and remained for many centuries the knowledge of a privileged few.

It was only after the Tibetan monks fled to India that the vibratory practice of Tibetan bowls experienced an unexpected popularization in the Western world, developing new theories and methodologies from early German researchers.

 

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The Story Behind the Making of a Tibetan Singing Bowl

The Tibetan bowl is built with metal alloys and since the beginning its builders have jealously guarded the secrets of their composition in an alchemical key.

Tradition tells us that the construction often took place at night, at the time of full moon, accompanied by mantra chanting and invocations.

Only the initiates knew the properties of the bowls in relation to the stars, the alchemical combinations were inspired by combinations of metal, planet and chakra :

• gold => sun => Crown Chakra (7th chakra)
• silver => moon => Chakra of the Third Eye (6th chakra)
• iron => march => Throat Chakra (5th chakra)
• mercury => mercury => Heart Chakra (4th)
• Tin => Jupiter => Solar Plexus Chakra (3rd chakra)
• copper => Venus => Sacred Chakra (2nd chakra)
• lead => Saturn => Root Chakra (1st chakra)

The size of the Tibetan singing bowl and the percentage of metals have an effect on the tonality, vibration and sound quality produced by the bowl.

The bowls also differ in shape and appearance and are used for sound massages in different ways and with different accessories.

The most common are mallets or sticks of soft wood, which rub on the rim of the bowl. In addition to Tibetan bowls, there are also Nepalese, Japanese, Bengali and crystal bowls, which are made of glass.

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Tibetan bowl benefits

Without a doubt, sound is one of the most powerful treatments because it can transport the human mind into different states of consciousness, which is why music therapy was born.

In addition to their traditional use in meditation, the Tibetan bowl is used to achieve deep relaxation, to regenerate muscles, to relieve joint and muscle pain, to relieve tension and energy blockages, to improve energy flow and to expel toxins from the body.

When we relax with the sounds of a Tibetan bowl, our circulation improves, emotional tensions and blockages are relieved. Sound and vibration can relieve mental and emotional pain (low self-esteem, worry, fear, anger, anxiety, depression, insomnia).

Tibetan bowls and the unique sounds they produce are used to normalize blood pressure, relieve asthma problems, open and balance the chakras. They also help in the case of children with hyperactive disorders and stimulate the immune system.

You will have understood that the use of the Tibetan bowl whether in meditation, therapy or even for pleasure affects all fields: the physical, mental and spiritual fields.

The benefits of the Tibetan bowl and its sound vibrations on the body :
• Deep relaxation and muscle regeneration.
• Relief of joints, muscles, sciatica, digestive system pain, headaches, migraine, spinal injuries, shoulder pain, stimulate blood circulation.
• Stimulate digestion.
• Improves the synchronized functioning of atoms, molecules, cells, tissues and organs.
• Improve energy flow.
• Eliminate toxins from the body.
• Strengthen the immune system.

The benefits of the singing bowl and its acoustic vibrations on our mind:
• Relaxes and relieves mental/emotional tension and blockages, such as stress and depression.
• Improve concentration.
• Inner sensations are activated and relaxed.
• Increase vital energy and strength in your daily life.
• Eliminate mental/emotional pain, such as love breakups.
• Increase self-esteem, creative and productive potential.

The benefits of the Tibetan bowl and its sound waves on our mind :
• Gives a positive feeling towards you.
• Bring more balance and harmony in life.
• experiences of happiness.
• Cleanse the 7 chakras.
• Inserts a higher frequency into your being that increases your energy and vibration level.
• Leads to a deeper and higher vibration of love.

Despite all the advantages of this Buddhist musical instrument, the sound of the singing bowl does not replace classical healing methods, but is only a tool for activating spiritual intelligence or for practicing so-called alternative medicine.

 

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How to use a Tibetan Bowl?

Ringing the Tibetan bowl is very simple, but not easy. It requires a lot of patience, a lot of practice, letting go.

The sound is given by the touch or rubbing of a wooden mallet covered with fabric or leather on the Tibetan bowl, held by hand or placed on the ground, after connecting to the instrument. The basis of good sound is a relaxed body that breathes.

The sound does not come out immediately, it takes a few moments to remain calm, concentrated and in confident expectation. Some teachings require, when rubbing, to first give a touch to encourage the sound to come out, one prefers to use this system sparingly and only where it is really necessary, to learn to trust one's own singing bowl.

The harmonic bowl will become a true travel companion that will help to calm the dialogue and the inner chaos of the mind in a few moments, restoring the right order of thoughts, in phase with the emotions and with one's soul.

 

How to choose a Tibetan Bowl?

When you are looking for a Tibetan bowl that can resonate with the environment and with yourself, don't be in a hurry and take the time you need to make your choice.

First of all, when you strike a meditation bowl, you should be able to hear several sounds. The appearance of a single, well-defined sound is not a good sign. Sometimes two sounds are heard, sometimes many more....

What does this sound tell me? Peace, calm, energy in motion, upset, etc.? Being a musician can also represent a limit because it conditions, it leads to trying to understand what note it is and it is already a limit of the mind that blocks the process.

However, we advise musicians to choose singing bowls that resonate with a fifth interval between the fundamental sound and the loudest harmonic. Unfortunately, it is not easy to find them, they often have an excessive fourth interval.

Here are 3 Tibetan bowls to learn about the singing bowl and its benefits:

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10 Reasons to use a Tibetan Bowl

This instrument, called by the ancients the instrument of the Universe, lends itself to infinite uses and it is practically impossible to enumerate them all. Only practice and time can be the true masters of knowledge. Here are some of the main uses of the Tibetan bowl:

1- Tibetan bowl and its benefits with meditation

The Tibetan bowl is used to start and end meditation sessions.

Used as background music, it can also be an excellent guide for meditation through the chanting of mantras and prayers (see our article on the Tibetan mala, a jewel to accompany meditation). Thanks to the mental calm that the singing bowl is able to give, it is possible to access more easily to our deepest and wisest part.

The correct position of the back, the relaxed shoulders, the fluid and conscious movements of our hands on the Tibetan bell are in themselves a technique of concentration, a training of the mind and a form of meditation.

2- Singing Bowl and the 7 chakras

The proper functioning of the seven fundamental chakras is determined by the energy that flows unimpeded through our physical and subtle bodies.

• Muladhara Chakra (basal center) Earth - Security of Survival
• Chakra Swadhisthana (pelvic center) water procreation
• Manipura Chakra (solar plexus) Fire - Emotion Control
• Anahata chakra (heart center) air - love awareness
• Vishudda chakra (center of throat) ether - sincerity of sound communication
• Ajna chakra (front center) - realization of light concentration
• Chakra Sahasrara (coronary center) soul - Divine knowledge

The flow of energy can be impeded when the physical and subtle bodies are overwhelmed by the stress caused by our stubborn resistance to ride the wave of life.

Chakra rebalancing can be done through meditation, recitation of mantras, use of crystals and stones, and the use of Tibetan bowls.

3- Tibetan Singing Bowl and its music to purify the house and ward off bad waves

Our house is considered one of the extensions of our body. Every place has been affected for a very long time by the energies that have inhabited it, especially the negative energies!

With the Tibetan bowl it is possible to cleanse and purify the environment by going especially to ring in the corners, in the closets, in the narrow places where these energies could hide.

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4- Purification of the aura with the Tibetan Bowl

It is possible to purify the aura of a person, plants and animals with the bowls while reciting Vedic mantras.

They are very useful because it allows us to expand our love by sounding for them, with special attention to the sensitivity of animals that need a lot of gradualness and consistency.

5- Sound Vibration Massage with Tibetan Bowls

This practice represents the core of the use of Tibetan bowls and promotes mind-body-soul well-being by stimulating important self-healing processes in the client. Bowls of different sizes are used and placed on the areas of the body to be milked.

They work on both the back and the front of the body. The client receives a regenerating "sound shower" that circulates throughout the body and allows him/her to feel the flow of energy in a very personal way.

The harmonic sound massage can be used to achieve deep relaxation, mental immobility and emotional balance, or as a treatment for a specific problem.

In the latter case, usually 3-4 sessions are performed, once a week. However, both the frequency and the duration of a treatment vary from case to case and depend on the type of problem, the results to be obtained and the type of diet of the person.

The effects of the massage, which lasts about an hour, are completed and intensified in the rest phase, lasting about 10 minutes, which follows the treatment.

6- Group therapy with the Tibetan bowls called sound bath

These meetings are intended for groups of people and promote their well-being and energy balance. In group meetings, Tibetan bowls are usually used with other sound vibrating instruments such as gong, shamanic drum, crystal bells, etc.

In the sound bath, the Tibetan bowls do not come into direct contact with the body, but are made to resonate, creating a "sound bubble" that envelops and permeates those who receive it.

The subtle sound of the Tibetan bowls produces a deep sympathetic effect, awakening the quietest areas of the body, organs and muscles that may have lost their elasticity and tone due to prolonged stress.

Thanks to this practice, rich in harmonic and melodic sounds, it is possible to restore our body's natural frequencies, which contribute to our well-being.

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7- Tibetan Singing Bowl and its benefits for pregnant women

The sound bath combined with a delicate and peripheral sound massage, can be safely performed on a pregnant woman who wishes it.

The sound moves well in the water, therefore also in the amniotic fluid. Indeed, the sounds and vibrations of a Tibetan bowl gently caress the body of the woman and the child to give them well-being and softness.

It is good to know that the vibrations that come into contact with the maternal uterus are amplified in the amniotic fluid. Indeed, it is recommended to play the Tibetan bowl in a soft and not very powerful way to make the treatment more pleasant.

8- The Tibetan Bowl and its benefits for children

Sound therapy with Tibetan bowls is very popular with children, often giving results beyond expectations! Listening to harmonious sounds and pleasant melodies makes them feel a living, integral part of the giant nature, just like walking barefoot on the grass or diving into the sea.

These simple and natural experiences reduce children's propensity for selfishness and encourage conscious and intuitive listening. They are favorable winds that bring inner balance and stability throughout their lives.

In several countries in Europe and around the world, the ancestral sounds of singing bowls have been used for some years to improve concentration, balance of the right and left hemispheres in children and for their relaxation.

When we sound the Tibetan bowl in a harmonious way, it captures their attention because it resonates in unison with the same deep frequencies of the universe.

This technique is applied in kindergartens and schools to improve attention, to optimize the perceptive and intuitive faculties of the young and very young. Excellent results have been obtained on children diagnosed with a "concentration deficit/hyperactivity" syndrome, as well as on children with sleep disorders.

Particularly useful for improving concentration and attention are the deep sounds combined with very high-pitched sounds, emitted simultaneously by the same Tibetan bowl.

Children's world is invaded by various types of electronic devices, which contribute to inhibiting and hindering the development of interpersonal relationships in the real world.

They are often subjected to a quasi-continuous flow of magnetic fields and various polluting acoustic vibrations. Psychologically and physically, in the long term, all this can make them tired, depressed and sometimes intractable. These influences are not seldom found in adults as well.

9- The Tibetan Bowl and its Benefits for Heart Patients

Even the person suffering from a particular pathology: cardiac, cardiovascular, hepatic or other, can receive the treatment adapted to his case.

With progressive relaxation, the heart rate and blood pressure are regulated.

Naturally, the application will be peripheral to the interested parties. With these simple precautions, even those who suffer from particular physical discomforts can benefit with serenity.

In these cases too, the contact with the operator and the communication of his sensations determine the success of the treatment.

10- The Tibetan musical instrument

The Tibetan bowl can also be used as a simple musical instrument, alone or in combination with other instruments such as the kalimba or the tongue drum.

It has long been used by musicians of all kinds around the world.

By hitting the bowl with a light touch you get a low and not very audible sound, by hitting it with a little more decision the sound will be a little higher and audible, then hitting it on the wood side the sound will be even higher and so on.

All these elements together form harmonic sounds. In this way, each sound of the Tibetan will be related to the previous sound, as well as to the next one. This relationship between the sounds is called "harmonic relationship".

 

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Conclusion

You will have understood it, the Tibetan bowl is an instrument with multiple benefits on our body and our mental thanks to the vibratory energies which it releases.

Used in meditation, in therapy, with a massage or for its music, the singing bowl is a fascinating Buddhist object which deserves to be more known.

If you too are convinced of the benefits of the Tibetan singing bowl, whether you simply want an instrument with a soothing vibratory sound or simply an exceptional decorative bowl, here are some of our bowls and other Zen musical instruments:

 

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