Tibetan Singing Bowl: History, Benefits, and How to Use

Tibetan singing bowl is an old form of restoration. The initial bowls were designed using an alloy that constituted different metals that were already used 6,000 years back in the East. In fact, Tibetan singing bowls boast a very bizarre acoustic phenomenon, that was found out by tourists in the China Himalayas region when the Chinese annexation of Tibet was also seen in the USA and Europe.

When Tibetan singing bowls sound is produced, the harmony enables inner relaxation of the two sections of your brain. Further, it boosts stress relief at all levels and even gets rid of toxins from your body. 

When sound therapy, feelings are relaxed, and the mind is relaxed, while the sound vibrations have had an effect on your body after the Tibetan singing bowls have been played. In other words, when the bowl sings, it activates the basic codes of DNA and even ensures all other codes that we haven't perceived are activated, or rather, suppressed codes.

This musical instrument is suitable for healing using its intrigued technique; sound therapy and vibrations. The key reason why they are referred to as singing bowls is that their luminous sound persists for a very long period after you've played. 

What Is Tibetan Singing Bowl?

This is a question that most people have had an interest in getting the answer to. A Tibetan Singing Bowl is a unique bell that is notable recognized by its vibration, and production of a deep, rich tone when someone plays. It is also referred to as Himalayan bowls or singing bowls. This bell is regarded as a unit that boosts mind relaxation and provides exemplary healing properties. The bell is traced back to ancient times, where Buddhist monks used it during their meditation practices.

Aside from that, other wellness experts such as yoga therapists, massage therapists, music therapists used this musical instrument during their treatment processes. In the next section, we'll get into the details of the history of the Tibetan singing bowl, so keep reading. 

History of Tibetan Singing Bowl

Tibetan singing bowls have a very bizarre past, and information of their origin is not explicit. In fact, the instrument has been traced back to medieval times because of mankind's civilization. And its written info has been even close to being unavailable. The initial singing bowls are said to have been designed over 5000 years ago in Mesopotamia.

In that regard, these instruments are one of the oldest crafts to have been designed in human history. Even though folklore regarding the artisans who were behind these instruments came into existence in preceding centuries, information of the folklore unluckily went missing with the seceding owners of the singing bowls.  

The initial singing bowls were made using pure copper and were majorly produced for both musical and medicinal purposes. And mostly artisans made them from their homes. These skills were thereafter passed from one generation to another, even though at one point, the chain ended up being broken.

At a later time, the singing bowls were designed using brass, which was a mixture of different metals, but copper was the major metal. There are some references that point out that 2,000 years aged brass Tibetan singing bowls were found in the Tibet region of China at the start of the last century. 

The Tibetan initial origin also made the trace of its origin to be even ambiguous. Even though singing bowls could be traced in homes and monasteries, it was pointed out that monks and people were not supposed to talk anything about this kind of bowls. In fact, the secret text of monks named the "Tibetan Buddhist Canon" also had less information about the units.

The references of Anecdotal points out that Tibetan monks and lamas used such kinds of bowls for secret and unknown rituals. As a matter of fact, such kinds of rituals were very spiritual in nature that it enabled the monks the capability to travel into other dimensions and realms. 

Tibetan Singing Bowl in Buddhism

As per the Tibetan tradition, the presence of singing bowls is dated back to the period of the ancient Buddha Shakyamuni between 560 and 480 B.C. The tradition came from India, and it was brought to Tibet with the Buddha teachings, by the well-known Tantric master named Padmasambhava in the 8th. Cent A.D.

These instruments gave out a very deep sound and immersed you into a very relaxed mood that naturally helps someone go into medication, and the main goal is for enlightenment. They're normally present in most private Buddhist altars, and even in medication halls, monasteries, and temples in the world. 

Scientific Evidence of Tibetan Singing Bowls

There are various scientific analyses of electromagnetic brainwaves that confirmed the presence of distinctive, recognizable waves, that are linked to a wide range of states of consciousness. As per the scientific information, when the brain is in its state: normal, for example, in conscience state, it gives beta waves.

When a person is in a state of calm and medication consciousness, alpha waves are produced. When you are in the state of slumber, theta waves are produced; while you're in a deep state, your body releases delta waves. After recording the waves that were produced by the singing bowls, scientists found a wave that was similar to the alpha waves released by people's brains. These kinds of waves give a feeling of calmness and relaxation. 

Powers of Tibetan Singing Bowls

Despite the long history use of Tibetan singing bowls, scientific studies have analyzed the importance of these instruments. Some therapeutic importance of singing bowl includes:

-Relieving of Stress

-Improvement of Sleep

-Lowering of Blood Pressure

-Reduction of Depression

-Stimulating the Immune System

-Pain Relief

-Enhancing Other Healing Practices

-Harmonizing and Balancing the Body

Why Using a Singing Bowl?

Singing bowls are well known for their unique healing effects. Most health practitioners usually recommend you to use it. It produces vibrations that help your body reduce stress levels, prevent pain, curb depression, balance chakras, and positively impact the immune and nervous systems.

When it comes to Ayurvedic medicine, the illness usually occurs due to some disharmony in the body. The rate of vibrations can directly affect the structure of the matter. This means that both the mind and body will be in harmony whenever they vibrate at the same rate. 

Each time you play a singing bowl, it produces vibrations that cause both the right and left sides of the brain to synchronize and release alpha and the brain waves to match the vibrations from the singing bowl. These theta brain waves help heal your body and mind and create a cool experience.

This synchronization harmonizes the mind and body to prevent any illness. On the other hand, this helps enter a deep meditative state, receiving intuitive messages and aiding you in creative thinking.

How Does Sound Affect Our Body?

Sound is regarded as one of the most powerful media since it can completely alter the consciousness of the human spirit. Traditionally, these singing bowls were commonly used during meditation.

Today, they are used to regenerate muscles, relieve joint pains, sciatica pain, digestive pain, spine injuries, headaches, improve circulation, get rid of body toxins, release blockages, etc. Each time Tibetan bowls are played, we will divert our concentration, we ease our blockages and tensions. 

Moreover, the sounds help to reduce any emotional pain you are experiencing. That could be anxiety, worries, fear, low self-esteem, insomnia, depression, and anger. These singing bowls feature some unique tones that are useful in stabilizing blood pressure, easing asthma-related issues, renewing the functions of the adrenal glands, opening and stabilizing meridians, and improving synaptic response in your brain. This is also helpful in kids because it stimulates their immune and helps them with hyperactive disorders.

Sound Effects on Physical, Mental, and Spiritual

The sound effects from the Tibetan singing bowl affect all three human levels. These are the physical, emotional, and spiritual effects.

Physical Effects on the Body

- Helps in relaxing and regeneration of muscles.

-Relieves pain in the joints, sciatica, digestive system, headaches, muscles, spines injuries, shoulders, and improves blood circulation.

- Improves food digestion

- Synchronizes the functions of cells, atoms, molecules, tissues, and organs of the body.

- Gets rid of any toxins in the body

- Assures you of better energy flow

- Strengthens your immune system

Mental or Emotional Effects on the Body

- Allows you to concentrate better

- Offers you a more relaxed mind, mental tension and eases any blockages

- Activates and releases inner feelings

- Provides strength and energy in everyday life

- Relieves any emotional or mental pain

- Boosts self-confidence and improves creative potentials

Spiritual Effects on the Body

- Keep you feeling positive about yourself

- Balances harmony in your body

- Cleanses chakras (Nadi-astral channels and energetic centers)

-Improves energy and vibrational levels since higher frequency can reach the innermost essence.

How to Play Tibetan Singing Bowls

Most people how they can play Tibetan singing bowls in the best manner. This is never hard since it requires some little practice and tips, and you will be good to go. That means that you will be well acquainted with playing peaceful tones within the shortest time possible. Here are some of the steps you need to follow each time you play this handmade bowl:

- You need the hold the bowl lightly using your hand; you do not need to grasp it. This is because you want the bowl to sing and resonate so well. Therefore, you do not have to hold it tightly for better results.

- Here, you need to strike your bowl gently before you can start singing the bowl, but hold the striker firmly as you rub the outside part of your rim of the singing bowl.

- Most hand or large hammered bowls feature different tones. Therefore, you can play it with a leather or wooden stick to listen to different types of tones. In most cases, if you are using a cast bowl, you will hear a single time that is very clear.

- You should be patient with yourself since it might take time to learn how to sing the bowl completely. Keep spending your time as you adhere to the above tips. With time, you will get used to achieving the beautiful tones from these handmade bowls.

Singing Bowl Meditation

Different theories propose different benefits of Tibetan singing bowls. Most of these theories suggest that:

- The bowl produces some vibrations that directly affect the mind and the body.

- The sounds from the bowl affect the brain waves that help you relax during different scenarios.

- Whenever you listen to music, it induces psychological benefits and effects.

Tibetan singing bowls are more related to the traditional practice of sound therapy. Most indigenous cultures in the past times across the world used sound therapy in different ways. This process involves drumming, clapping, pulsing sounds, and singing for spiritual, ceremonial, and health reasons.

Research on the existing evidence did not show any positive effects of using a singing bowl as sound therapy. However, some evidence shows that there are some benefits; therefore, it needs further investigation to prove all this.

Tips for Singing Bowl

If you need to purchase a Tibetan singing bowl, you can get them in different places. Some of these sources include yoga studios, online retailers, music shops, meditation centers, and stores with new-age products.

You need to consider the size of the bowl since it is one of the important factors that have a direct impact on its operations. As a beginner, you can opt for small or medium-sized bowls, while advanced users can go for larger singing bowls.

Risks and Side Effects

It is safer to use a Tibetan singing bowl; however, some researchers have come up with different potential risks and side effects of playing this handmade bowl. Some people need to avoid this singing bowl therapy because of its effects. They include;

· Those who experience frequent headaches. If you happen to experience headaches due to noise or vibrations, you should avoid using a singing bowl.

· Pregnant mothers should avoid this because their effects are not well known.

· People with epilepsy because the vibrations may sometimes trigger the seizures.

Conclusion

Tibetan singing bowl has its origin in the Far East and has become more popular across the globe. This is because of the outstanding benefits it has in store for you. They are well known for their healing effects, relieving stress, and keeping you relaxed. Other benefits include relieving pain, improving sleep, increasing immunity, reducing depression, and so on. This makes it one of the accessories you can invest in.