Tibetan Bowl: a Vibratory Power Accessory
In recent years, the Tibetan bowl has gained popularity. The mysteries surrounding this ancestral object have indeed attracted the attention of many people, including many celebrities.
Also called a singing bowl, it is above all a meditation accessory. But it is also a musical instrument with many therapeutic virtues. This is why it is used in music therapy.
Tibetan bowl making has become a booming business. What is it exactly? What are its benefits ? Here is everything you need to know about this ancestral instrument.
Contents :
The benefits of the Tibetan bowl
Knowledge and spirituality of Tibet
thanks to the esoteric tools of the Himalayas
What is a Tibetan bowl?
The history of the Tibetan bowl dates back several years before Jesus Christ. It is reputed to be a true source of well-being and is a cult object for fans of yoga and meditation.
If, more broadly, the secrets of Tibet intrigue you, here is our entire collection dedicated to this ancient culture.
What is its origin ?
The Tibetan bowl has existed since 5,000 BC. AD and it comes from the Tibetan Arc. Indeed, it was only made by artisans from Tibet, Nepal and different Himalayan regions. At the time, it was considered a sacred object and it had a prominent place during various shamanic rituals.
In Tibetan tradition, this accessory effectively allowed shamans to invoke spirits, communicate with the world beyond, connect with the energy of the universe or even accompany dying people during the last trip.
But what is it exactly? As the name suggests, it is a bowl and is shaped like an upside-down bell. When shaken, struck or scratched, it produces a sonic vibration.
When Buddhism appeared, the Tibetan bowl had become an important accessory used in religious ceremonies. The monks were convinced that its sound vibrations contained powerful energies with many benefits.
The power of the Tibetan bowl was kept secret for centuries. Only a privileged few have been able to benefit from its benefits. It was during the escape of Tibetan monks to India that the vibrational practice of singing bowls became popular and appeared in Western countries.
How is the Tibetan bowl made?
Tibetan bowls are ritual objects handcrafted by Nepalese and Tibetan artisans with an alloy of 3 to 7 metals. They thought it could improve the sound of the instrument. Regarding the materials used, they used 7 very specific metals, each of which has a specific meaning.
We must mention gold which represents the Sun and the 7 th chakra and silver which symbolizes the Moon and the 6th chakra. Craftsmen also used iron associated with the planet Mars, mercury representing the planet Mercury, tin symbolizing the planet Jupiter, copper associated with the planet Venus as well as lead representing the planet Saturn.
Shaping the Tibetan bowl is a long-term process. There are two possible manufacturing methods. Hammering is the most common technique and has appealed to purists. It involves using a flat sheet of metal that must be hammered to create the shape and pattern. When the bowl begins to take shape, various finishing stages must be carried out aimed at optimizing its harmonic richness and beauty.
The other method consists of using a mold and a priori, it allows the vibration wave of the bowl to be prolonged when it is struck. It should be mentioned that the Tibetan bowl can have a varied appearance. Some models are decorated with pretty patterns.
How to recognize a real Tibetan bowl?
The market currently offers a rich variety of singing bowls. But you have to know how to identify the real thing if you want to benefit from its benefits. How to get there ? First of all, you must identify the manufacturing materials. A true Tibetan bowl is made with at least 3 of the metals mentioned above.
The origin of the product is also an important criterion. It is better to opt for a bowl from Tibet, Nepal or India. It responds to artisanal manufacturing techniques. We must not forget the quality of the sound it broadcasts. In other words, you need to listen to the vibrations of the singing bowl before making the purchase. They should be long, deep and pleasant to hear.
Finally, the age of the Tibetan bowl is another clue to take into account. Typically, old bowls are 50 to 250 years old. They are capable of carrying maximum energy. In other words, they have many benefits.
In short, if you want to be sure not to make a mistake and to use a truly effective bowl, here is a range of bowls in different formats that we have selected for you.
What are the different types of singing bowl?
There are different types of Tibetan bowl, the best known of which is the therapeutic bowl. It was used by monks and lamas to heal people. They used the sounds emitted by the bowl to make a diagnosis and also assign energetic healing.
This know-how has been passed down from generation to generation. That said, it took 7 years of teaching and practice for the apprentices to understand how it works and also know how to listen to the vibrations.
There is also the offering bowl which was placed in front of a deity. According to beliefs, it should not be made of gold or silver. It turns out that these two metals can overshadow deities. Nepalese artisans generally use zinc.
Over time, more modern creations appeared. We should mention, among others, the bowls developed thanks to the work of scientist Hans Cousto which were designed to vibrate at well-defined frequencies. But nothing beats old singing bowls in terms of benefits.
How to use the Tibetan bowl
The operating principle of the Tibetan bowl remains simple. It will emit vibrational waves every time it is struck or shaken.
How to make the singing bowl sound?
In general, to make the singing bowl sound, you must use a stick or a mallet. These are generally made of wood and have a head made of fabric or suede.
How to handle the stick or the mallet? The principle is to delicately hit the edge of the bowl using the head of the stick. You can also rub its outer edge with the mallet.
Finally, you can also swirl a stick in the bowl. That said, you have to control the rotation speed to obtain a pleasant sound. Caution is therefore required when throwing. The choice of stick size is also important. It must be compatible with that of the singing bowl.
Attention ! Regardless of the method used to resonate the bowl, it is important to place it on the palm of the dominant hand. It's left for left-handed people and right for right-handed people.
What about the sound produced by the instrument? A Tibetan bowl can emit different sounds. It all depends on the instrument used to make it sound. As an example, if you use the wood side of the stick, the bowl produces a high pitched sound. On the other hand, by using the suede side, you will obtain a serious sound.
What positions should we adopt?
There are different positions you can adopt when using the Tibetan bowl. Sitting on a chair or meditation cushion or standing up is the most practical solution. Alternatively, you can lie down and have someone ring the bowl. This will allow your body to better feel the vibrations and their beneficial effects.
In terms of precise position, there are different schools. Here, for example, is a posture recommended by the site femininebio, but there are lots of others.
Vibrate, feel, heal
thanks to sound therapy and its instruments
Choosing your Tibetan bowl
Before choosing a Tibetan bowl, several parameters must be taken into account, in particular its use and its size.
Make the choice according to use
Before purchasing a singing bowl, the first thing to do is to define your goals. Why do you want to make this acquisition? If the Tibetan bowl is going to be used as a meditation accessory, it must weigh between 700 grams and 2 kilos. Patan or shiny type models as well as engraved Tibetan singing bowls are preferred, because they emit harmonious sounds which promote relaxation.
On the other hand, if the bowl is used in therapy, it must be thick and heavy. This is the case for jumkha or Patan bowls. Obviously, intuition also counts when choosing the singing bowl. The instrument should give you a special emotion.
Make the choice according to size
It is important to emphasize that the sound quality of the instrument depends on its size. The size of the instrument will also define its use. So you should know that there are small singing bowls that produce a high-pitched sound. They are mainly used during a session of purification or harmonization of a place.
Medium bowls, on the other hand, are recommended accessories during meditations. They produce a deeper, more enveloping sound which is a real source of calm, deep relaxation and concentration.
Finally, a large bowl usually serves as a massage tool. Obviously, the size of the instrument to use must be chosen according to the size of the person to be massaged. How to use it ? Simply place the bowl on the body from the top of the feet to the throat.
The benefits of the Tibetan bowl
According to numerous scientific researches, sound can be an effective treatment tool. This is what gave birth to sound therapy. It is a therapeutic discipline whose effectiveness is proven. Many health professionals practice it and recommend it. If this type of treatment interests you, take a look at our large collection of sound therapy tools : you will find something to reharmonize you vibrationally.
In short, the sounds that the Tibetan bowl makes are also beneficial for the body, mental health and spirit.
The beneficial effect of the singing bowl on the body
Above all, the singing bowl guarantees deep relaxation by eliminating muscular tension. Its sound vibrations can also stimulate the functioning of the digestive system and thus improve digestion. In addition, they are also true allies for harmonizing the functioning of cells, atoms, molecules, tissues and all organs.
Sound waves have pain-relieving power. They are capable of relieving pain linked to different disorders. This is the case for sciatica, joint problems, muscle tension, migraines and even spinal injuries.
In children, the sounds of singing bowls improve attention and alleviate symptoms of hyperactivity. They can also protect children against the harmful effects of magnetic fields diffused by various electronic devices such as tablets, TVs and smartphones.
The vibrations of the singing bowl also help improve the health of people with cardiovascular disorders. They are able to regulate the heart rate. We must not forget their ability to eliminate toxins and optimize the performance of the immune system. In other words, the Tibetan bowl has beneficial effects on the entire body.
The beneficial effect of the singing bowl on our mind
The positive energies conveyed by the vibrations of the Tibetan bowl will cause relaxation of the physical body and promote letting go. They therefore present themselves as an adequate solution to emotional problems. This is the case with stress, anxiety and depression. A relaxation session with the singing bowl allows depressed people to regain well-being.
Sound waves can also heal mental or emotional pain linked to traumatic situations or trials such as the death of a loved one or a breakup. They are also effective in treating sleep disorders, regardless of the cause.
Another beneficial effect of the Tibetan bowl is its ability to increase vital energy. It can therefore give you the moral strength necessary to face each new day. To top it all off, this original musical instrument can boost self-esteem and self-confidence. The sounds it produces are also excellent sources of concentration and creativity.
The beneficial effect of the singing bowl on our mind
On a spiritual level, the Tibetan bowl gives users a positive feeling about themselves. It brings happiness and good humor. The acoustic vibrations of singing bowls are also effective in eliminating blockages and energetic knots, which also allows them to clear the mind.
They allow you to enter a deeper state of consciousness, through which you can hear the positive messages that will help you find your way. They also promote the elevation of the spirit.
If you want to dig deeper into the subject, here is the wiki page that talks about singing bowls. It will provide you with links to interesting sources and articles.
Maintenance of the Tibetan bowl
In general, the Tibetan bowl does not require specific maintenance, especially when it is authentic. The only task that falls to the user is to erase the fingerprints after each use.
If an oxidation stain appears, which is the case when you have antique bowls, you should not panic. It is often indelible, but it is not likely to modify the sound quality of the bowl.
On the other hand, a fall on a hard surface could damage the instrument. It could crack or break. Obviously, this could harm its effectiveness or rather the power of its vibrations.
When to use the Tibetan bowl?
In the past, the use of the Tibetan bowl was intended for an elitist group composed mainly of shamans and monks. But currently, everyone can benefit from the benefits of this ancestral instrument. But in what situations is the use of this instrument recommended?
To meditate effectively
The singing bowl is a meditation accessory par excellence. You can count on the vibrations of the instrument to comfortably start the session. This initial chime, as followers of vibrational practice call it, invites you to concentrate.
It allows you to carry out the inner journey according to the rules of the art and to achieve successful personal development. It is also possible to use the sounds of the Tibetan bowl as background music during the session.
To purify a place
The energetic vibrations of the Tibetan bowl are effective in purifying a place. They help chase away negative energies. You can therefore ring the singing bowl to purify your home or workplace. This instrument can also purify the aura of plants, animals or even a person.
In reality, this use is not limited to the Tibetan bowl: all sound therapy and music therapy instruments can purify rooms, as confirmed by this information from “auféminin.com”.
To enjoy a relaxing massage session
A massage with Tibetan bowls is an excellent way to improve the balance between body and mind. Also called “ sound bath ” or “harmonic sound massage”, it can treat different problems. During the session, you can feel the flow of energy circulating through your body.
To balance the chakras
Indeed, the Tibetan bowl is also used to balance or harmonize the chakras. Its sound waves promote the circulation of vital energy in the human body, a means of preventing various ailments.
It should be noted that the sound produced by the singing bowl generally represents a musical note, linked to a chakra. Do, for example, allows you to open the Muladhara or root chakra. It is mainly produced by a large bowl. The D opens the sacral chakra or subumbilical chakra.
The Mi, on the other hand, allows the opening of the solar plexus chakra or Manipura. As for the note F, it is associated with the heart chakra, the ground with the throat chakra, the La with the frontal chakra and the Si with the crown chakra.
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