Therapy with a sound bowl
Therapy with a sound bowl
Regarding the sound bowls, it should be noted that the name bowl is misleading, as it starts from the form and not the function. In a sacred sense, the sounding bowl can be considered a special kind of so-called standing bell. The classification of bells has an acoustic basis, since these bowls behave in the same way as bells during the sound release, i.e. the maximum vibration and vibrato can be observed near the edge.
These bells are usually really bowl-shaped. Depending on the purpose of use, their size can range from a diameter of a few centimeters to a diameter approaching one meter. Traditional sounding bowls were not used as musical instruments in Nepal before. For thousands of years, they were part of traditional kitchen equipment used to serve food, measure grain, prepare traditional medicines and concoctions, offer food to the gods, and so on. In Himalayan communities, metal bowls were widely used for serving food because it was believed that the minerals and iron contained in the metal would be absorbed into the food and thereby provide the required amount of key minerals. This was especially true for expectant mothers, because according to their belief, food eaten from metal bowls helps to keep both the mother and the unborn child healthy and strengthen their immune system. Traditionally, after giving birth, the mother was served a meal made of rice, milk and sugar cane in a metal bowl, the purpose of which was to replace the iron loss suffered during pregnancy and childbirth. Travelers to some regions of Nepal can still find areas where food is served in metal bowls.
In the rural regions of Nepal, metal bowls and utensils symbolized family and community wealth. The number and quality of metal bowls and dishes presented to the bride during the wedding ceremony was considered a status symbol in both the Buddhist and Hindu communities of Nepal.
In these regions, Buddhist monks visited the surrounding families with a metal bowl, asking for alms and eating it together at the end of the collecting tour. On these bowls different forms of representation of Buddha appeared and with this the bowl found its place outside the kitchen. Its social, cultural and spiritual significance has changed and grown. During the use for a purpose other than the kitchen, it turned out that some of the bowls had a magical sound, which laid the foundation for the beginning of a new era.
Although according to their original function, the bowls served meditation and personal spiritual purposes in addition to their domestic use, a few decades ago it was discovered that the sounds emitted by the bowls are also suitable for therapeutic use. With this scientifically established fact, the international career of sound bowls began.
The therapeutic effect of sound bowls is due to the sound they emit and the vibration they create. The deep and strong sound vibration frequency emitted by the bowls quickly reaches the cellular level of the human body. The vibration creates various waves that create calmness and peace. On a physical level, these vibrations are known to stimulate blood vessels, lymph nodes, nerves, veins and muscles, allowing blockages to open and tense body parts to relax, without the bowl actually coming into contact with their surface. Long-lasting harmonic sound eliminates external distractions, allows the mind to focus and helps the body generate a flow of positive energy and thoughts within itself. The combination of sound and vibration relaxes the body, relieves pain and provides an experience of peace for the body and mind. This is one of the reasons why sound bowls are also used for meditation purposes. Sometimes the sound of the sound bowl is accompanied by other sounds and chanting to make the effect even better.
Legend has it that in ancient times Tibetan healing masters developed a technique that was able to purify the water and make it suitable for healing and treating the sick. Others say that ancient spiritual masters were able to use the reverberation of the bowl to transport their meditative being into another dimension.
Based on tantric philosophy, the masters of the singing bowl relate the sounds of the singing bowl to the seven planets, which correspond to the seven chakras. The purpose of this is that the person who receives the sound and vibration of the bowl can receive them in a space between a normal self and a cosmic self, which helps him to loosen rigid physical and psychological limitations, thereby enabling the maximum use of the benefits from sound therapy.
Sound bowls have countless beneficial effects, from supporting the maintenance of good health, helping to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle, providing support towards a more positive outlook on life, relieving anxiety, and all the way to helping to reduce acute and chronic pain. More and more people worldwide are discovering this positive effect. The effects of the bowls are constantly being tested and examined by researchers, musicians and those dealing with spiritual teachings. Their beneficial effect has already been proven several times in healthcare institutions - hospitals, cancer treatment centers and hospices.
The significance of the sound bowl depends on its user. For the seeker of spirituality, the sound bowl is a tool for creating a cosmic connection, for the practitioner of sound therapy, it is a tool for slow but progressive healing, for the musician, it is a tool with which he can create beautiful overtones, while for a doctor or researcher, it is an alternative healing tool that helps can be used in the treatment of diseases for which we do not yet know the cure.
The possibilities for the therapeutic use of sound bowls are endless. In doing so, whoever performs the therapy must know the bowl they are using, its reaction and the sounds and vibrations it emits. It is also very important to make the appropriate preparations, assess the available space, prepare the necessary tools and think through the technique used during the therapy in order for the healing energy to have the best possible effect during the procedure.
During the preparations, the therapist must reach the level where he can emit positive energy and vibrations. It is important to maintain natural energy, a fresh mind and a healthy body. This is especially important because a large amount of physical and mental energy is used up each time during the therapy. Since during therapy a very strong relationship is created between the therapist and the patient, it is therefore very important to follow the basic rules.
To illustrate how a simple sound therapy works, here is an outline of a basic sound therapy procedure for aura cleansing and protection against negative energies:
1./ We can achieve the best results if we apply this procedure in the morning
2./ The patient should sit on the floor with his legs crossed and try to find a comfortable position
3./ The therapist should start repeating the selected mantra
4./ The therapist should take a deep breath and relax all the muscles and joints. Raise the bowl to chest height and begin the therapy.
5./ The therapist can use a bat to create the sound or make the sound bowl sound with his clenched hands.
6./ When the sound has reached the desired volume and vibration, the bowl should be slowly raised in front of the third eye chakra, held there for 1-2 seconds, then moved to one side of the head, held there for 1-2 seconds, then brought back to its original position and hold there for 1-2 seconds. After that, the same thing must be repeated in the other direction. After that, the bowl should be moved slowly in the direction of the sacral chakra, where the accumulated negative energies leave the body. Here, you have to hold the bowl a little longer so that you have time to absorb the outgoing negative energies. This process must be repeated until the sound of the bowl resonates.
7./ When the sound dies down, the therapist brings the bowl back to chest height, sounds it again and repeats the procedure.
8./ For complete success, this procedure must be repeated a total of three times.
For the patient, this procedure means complete refreshment and he will be able to go through even the most difficult day with a positive attitude and positive energy.
In our online store, you can find both machine-made and hand-made sound bowls: take your pick!
https://www.nepaliproducts. com/collections/tibeti- soundboards
