One of the most well-known facts about the human body is that it is largely composed of water, and a singing bowl has a very zen relationship with water. Handled properly, the two work hand in hand to create balance and alignment within the body.
Living in a world that prioritizes keeping oneself busy, feeling stressed, rushed, and overwhelmed with obligations is no surprise. The vast majority of humanity experiences high stress levels at one time or another throughout their lifespan, and the negative effects of such long-term pressure can be severe for the body. The good news is that there are also many ways to combat the pressures of living in such a fast-paced world.
One of the most powerful tools for battling the effects of stress is the implementation of everyday wellness routines. Specifically, meditation can work wonders when the goal is to lower stress. Effective mediation aims to increase your ability to exist in the present moment and to find peace within that moment.
The problem with meditation is that many people find it difficult to still their mind efficiently enough to achieve the state of calmness required for truly beneficial meditation. A singing bowl is an excellent tool for enhanced meditation practices.
What is a singing bowl
In the ancient world, singing bowls were made from pure copper and purposed for medicinal healing. They are now most often made from bronze (a combination of copper, tin, and zinc) or a seven-metal medley of copper, tin, zinc, iron, lead, gold, and silver. The seven metals are said to represent the seven chakras, but you may also find modern singing bowls crafted from aluminum, brass, crystal, or glass.
Singing bowls are often used in spiritual settings to enhance meditation or relaxation rituals using the vibrations and rhythmic sounds the tool produces when played.
These versatile instruments are categorized as idiophones. An idiophone is an instrument that produces a sound through vibration after being struck, shaken, or scraped. The sounds produced by a well-played singing bowl emanate healing vibrations that can be used in sound therapy, sound bathing, yoga, and cleansing rituals.
Origins of a singing bowl
The origin of a singing bowl dates as far back as ancient culture, making the facts about their creation a bit ambiguous at times. However, there is some evidence to suggest that they are the “most ancient artisan craft in human existence” (TenThousandVillages). It is widely believed that the metalwork knowledge of crafting a proper singing bowl has effectively passed from generation to generation for thousands of years.
The geographical origin of the singing bowl lies in Mesopotamia more than 5,000 years ago. From there, the meditation tool made its way through the regions of Tibet, Nepal, and India. There is historical evidence of singing bowls being made in these regions dating back nearly 2,000 years, and these regions are still well-known today for the production of these tools.
Using a singing bowl
To play a singing bowl, you’ll want to hold it in the open palm of your hand or balance it on your fingertips. You don’t want any part of your hand touching the sides of the singing bowl, as it will restrict the sound-emitting vibrations of the tool.
With a proper mallet, gently strike the side of the bowl to start the “singing” process. Now it’s time to make her sing. Gently trace the outer rim of the bowl with the mallet repeatedly, and the bowl will begin playing. Changes in pressure and speed while curling the edge of the bowl with the mallet will change the volume of the tone produced.
How a singing bowl heals
Singing bowls can be found in yoga studios, sound therapy spaces, massage therapy centers, temples, home feng shui, gardens, and anywhere where people do centering work, but what is it about a singing bowl that creates such a strong impact on the human body?
If you put a glass of water in front of a speaker and play music loudly through the speaker, what will you see in the glass? You’ll see that the sound waves create ripples in the water.
The sound produced by a singing bowl works the same way inside the human body, which is largely composed of water.
The tone of the bowl being played creates vibration, rhythm, symmetry, and cohesion within the energy of the very cells that make up your body. A deep and beneficial meditation is well-complimented by the right singing bowl.
Summing up singing bowls
Ultimately, there’s more to know about singing bowls than can effectively be contained within a brief blog post, but you’ve been equipped with some helpful foundational knowledge. If you want to experience playing a singing bowl, head to your local crystal shop. Customers are typically welcome to handle and play the bowls but always ask first.
It’s also helpful to know that singing bowls come in many different tones and the tones correlate with various chakras within the body. Try different tones to see how each one makes you feel before choosing a personal singing bowl.
Any more questions about singing bowls? Leave us a comment down below, and we’ll hit you with an informed answer ASAP!
2 Comments
WOW!
I thought I knew about bowls but I learned some cool things from your article.
So excited to teach! 🙂