In the realm of meditation and the world of mystical healing, you can find many artifacts to aid in your progress. While some of these artifacts take the shape of gemstones, transformed into beaded mala necklaces and bracelets, others take the shape of intricately shaped singing bowls. Some of them provide passive benefits, such as the beaded mala, while for others, you have to actively engage with them, such as the singing bowls. You can leave the passive one as it is, bar some rituals, but what can you do about the active one, in this instance, the Tibetan singing bowl? As its name implies, to use it, you have to make it sing and play it as a musical instrument. But how to play a singing bowl?
In this blog, we explore various methods to play a singing bowl for relaxation and healing. Along with this, we also provide you with its benefits on relaxation and healing and provide you with some tips on how to play it effectively so you can create the perfect frequency to aid in your mystical journey.
What Is A Singing Bowl?
Before we dive into the intricacies of this mysterious bowl, let us first tell you what a singing bowl is. A singing bowl is essentially a bowl that produces a bell-like sound when played. Now, unlike traditional bell-like instruments, which are hung and shaken to produce the sounds, you need to strike the bowl with a mallet and/or rim it after striking it to produce an intermittent or continuous ringing sound, depending on the method. And before you get confused, yes, there are multiple methods to use this singing bowl.
But regardless of the methods you use, if you use them correctly, the sounds produced by these bowls carry a certain frequency that places your mind in a meditative state and aids in enhancing healing. Their sounds are thought to engage both the auditory and tactile senses, making them popular tools for mindfulness, meditation, and sound healing practices.
The Origin of Singing Bowls: Singing Bowl Traditions
So now you know what a singing bowl is and that it has mysterious properties on healing and meditation. But what are the origins of this meditative aid? Surely, extraordinary artifacts such as this would have extraordinary origins, right? Well, to be honest, no one really knows where it comes from. All we know is that at some point in time, roughly 3000 years ago, near the end of the bronze age, these singing bowls appeared around the areas of Tibet. This was the era before Buddhism, and the leading religion in this region was the Bon religion. It is believed that shamans of this religion used singing bowls in ceremonies for meditation healing and as tools of spiritual transformation.
Once Buddhism took over the religion, it soon became integrated into Buddhism as both the Bowl and Buddhism shared the aspect of meditation and spiritual transformation. During this era, singing bowls were said to be used to mark the start and end of meditation practices, create sacred spaces, or accompany chanting.
Then, in the 20th century with the rise of globalization, singing bowls too gained global popularity. This was particularly thanks to the new age movement, sound therapy practices and an increase in interest in Eastern spirituality.
Now, in modern times, singing bowls are praised for their versatility in the field of meditation and sound healing therapies. The sound from these singing bowls, when used right, does indeed relax your mind and body, promoting deep meditation and aiding your self-recovery.
Now, keeping all the info dump in mind, we can say that the origins of Tibetan singing bowls are shrouded in mystery, with the best guess and estimation being it being used during the bronze age for shamanic rituals by those of the Bon religion. But following the rise of Buddhism in Tibetan religion, its history becomes much clearer.
How To Play Singing Bowls
And we are finally at the core topic of this blog, following some interesting information and the general overview of the singing bowl. By now, you should also have a general idea that there are multiple ways to play singing bowls. So how to properly play a singing bowl? Well, some of the simplest methods to play the singing bowls include the following;
1. Striking The Bowl
Also known as the Gong Beat, striking the bowl is one of the simplest and the most used methods to use the singing bowl. As its name suggests, all you need to do is strike the bowl. But even within this simple method, there is a specific way. This method is among those that are easy to learn but hard to master. So, how do you play a singing bowl using the striking method? Following is how you use this method.
- Take the singing bowl and keep it in the palm of your left hand or less dominant hand.
- Pick up the mallet with your dominant hand.
- Use the wooden part of the mallet and strike the wall of the singing bowl
- Instead of striking again, wait for a while, feel the vibration flowing through your body and listen to the calming sound.
- Strike softly produces deep bass tones instead of a sharp bell-like sound, which is considered the male overtone of the bowl.
2. Rimming
Rimming is another common method of using the singing bowls, but it is a bit more complicated when compared to the striking method. Rather than being a bit more complicated, it would be fair to call it an extension of the striking method. The steps involved in the rimming methods include:
- Sit in a proper posture
- Take the bowl in your less dominant hand
- Take the wooden part of the mallet in your dominant hand
- Strike the singing bowl once
- Hold the mallet like a pen and move it along the edges of the bowl continuously.
- Take deep breaths while rimming the bowl in the clockwise direction
- The sound produced in this method has high trebles and is considered to be a female undertone of the singing bowl.
3. Water Charging
Rather than considering it a separate method, this method of using the singing bowl is more of an advanced form of striking and rimming method. The process of using the singing bowl is the same as the striking or timing method. But instead of leaving the bowl empty, you half-fill it with water.
This act of half-filling the bowl with water mutes the sound of the singing bowl a bit. Furthermore, you can also fill the bowl with different levels of water for different levels of sound suppression. When used in sound healing and meditation, different levels of sound suppression have different effects.
Now do note that although bronze and other copper alloy, which the singing bowls are typically made out of, are resistant to water damage, they are still metal at the end of the day. Therefore, you should always keep the bowl dry after each use.
4. Wah Wah Technique
Although the name of this technique is indeed a bit funny, there is a reason for its name. It is also technically an extension of the rimming technique, as, in this technique, you first need to perform the rhyming technique first. So, curious about this technique? Following are the steps you need to perform for this technique.
- Hold the bowl in your palm and bring it to the level of your heart.
- Strike the bowl gently to wake it up.
- Perform the rimming technique.
- Withdraw the Mattel and raise the bowl to your mouth level.
- Mimic the action of saying Wah Wah without actually saying it (just open and close your mouth)
These are the key methods on how to play a singing bowl. The first two methods we mentioned are the basic methods, while the latter two are somewhat advanced methods. The vibration and tone of the singing bowls change depending on the specific methods used.
Benefits of Using Singing Bowls for Relaxation and Healing
After knowing the correct methods of playing the singing bowl, you might also want to know about some of the key benefits of doing so. And besides, we have mentioned that singing bowls aids in meditation and healing a few times on this blog as well so you might be getting curious regarding that as well. So, what are the key benefits of singing bowls? Some of the key benefits include:
- The sound of the singing bowls aids in getting into a meditative state while helping you clear your mind.
- When used correctly, the frequency of Tibetan singing bowls/crystal singing bowls reduces the pain.
- Users of singing bowls also reported the feeling of lower stress and elevated mood.
- The various pitches of the singing bowls also aid in sound baths to target specific body parts.
- Daily use of singing bowls improves sleep quality.
Besides the ones we mentioned here, there are also several other benefits that you can only experience after using them. Describing them here would not do the effects justice. And, of course, just like everything in the world, there are dangers of singing bowls as well, which we have covered in our prior blog. Check it out for more info.
Tips For Playing Singing Bowls Effectively
Before we reach the end of this topic, let’s quickly talk about some tips that you need to know before starting to use the singing bowls. To be frank, there are not many tips we have, but each of them is important. They include:
- You need to break a mallet (not in a literal sense) by rubbing it in the bow’s rim for around minutes. This creates microscopic grooves, which result in deeper tones.
- When using the rimming method, you should immediately begin circling the mallet to sustain the sound for a long duration.
- You should also avoid pausing or holding the mallet rim because doing so will stop the sound.
- Keep the pressure constant to maintain a deep and clear tone.
- When using the water washing method, always keep the exterior dry.
- Maintain a steady pressure while rimming to enhance the quality.
- Once you are done using this method, immediately dry the interior of the bowl thoroughly, as long exposure to moisture can damage the bowls.
Why Choose Singing Bowls from Nirvana Mala?
With all the info we have provided you, you might have the urge to buy a Tibetan singing bowl yourself. But where can you buy one from? Well, among the many options you have, one of the best is to purchase one from Nirvana Mala. We have a long history of providing some of the most authentic spiritual and ritual accessories and artifacts in Nepal. But besides this, some other key reasons include:
- Each singing bowl/meditation bowl is crafted with precision, ensuring rich, resonant tones and long-lasting durability.
- Handcrafted using traditional methods that respect the cultural tradition of Himalayan singing bowls.
- Varied sizes, different materials, and designs complement a large amount of personal preferences and needs.
- Quality bowls that are affordable and thus can be reached by every man.
- Knowledgeable staff ready to help you pick out the right bowl and answer your questions.
Conclusion
In the world of meditation and spirituality, you can use a wide range of materials and tools to aid you in your journey. Among those plethora of tools and materials, one of the most popular ones is the Tibetan singing bowl. But since this is an active form of tool, just having one is not enough; you need to use it too. But how do you play a singing bowl? Well, there are many methods for this, including the simplest striking to the complicated Wah Wah method. The specific process of playing it depends on the steps involved within the said method. In this blog, we provide you with the exact steps you need to follow to use these methods.
We hope you found this helpful. If you seek further insights into the various other aspects of spiritual accessories, do check out some of our other blogs. And if you want the best Tibetan singing bowl in Nepal, look no further than Nirvana Mala. Thank you for reading till the end.
FAQs on How to Play a Singing Bowl
1. How do you use a singing bowl for beginners?
To play, hold the bowl in your non-dominant hand and strike its outer rim gently with the mallet. Next, circle the rim in a steady manner to get that continuous “singing” tone. Practice a nice even motion for smoothness of the sound.
2. Are singing bowls hard to play?
Singing bowls are easy to learn, though they may take just a little practice to get them right. Consistency in pressure and motion holds the key to a clear, sustained tone.
3. How does the singing bowl work?
When struck or rubbed, the bowl vibrates in harmonic tones that vibrate deep within a person. These vibrations engage the senses, promoting relaxation and focus.
4. Can I use a singing bowl every day?
Yes, daily use is safe, and it enhances mindfulness, reduces stress, and supports healing practices. Even a few minutes of playing can bring noticeable relaxation.
5. How to use a singing bowl for healing?
To use it for healing, place the bowl near or on the body and strike it gently. The vibrations and sounds are believed to harmonize energy and reduce tension.
6. Why are singing bowls so relaxing?
The deep, resonant tones and vibrations help slow down the mind, reduce stress, and create a meditative state. They stimulate the body’s natural relaxation response.
7. How to use singing bowls for chakras?
Play the bowl near each chakra while focusing on its associated color or energy. The vibrations are thought to balance and align these energy centers.
8. How to hold a singing bowl mallet?
Hold the mallet lightly but firmly with your dominant hand, similar to holding a pen. This grip allows control and flexibility for smooth circling.