Singing bowls go back to about 1100 BC and have been used for spiritual purposes ever since. First used by Shamans, they have evolved into a meditational instrument used by many in Tibet, Nepal, and India. Western cultures are just beginning to discover their power to relax and focus the mind. They are also an incredible aid in clearing objects and in healing.

According to tradition, the bowls are made, in ceremony, of seven metals: one metal for each of the planets:

Gold the Sun,  Silver the Moon, Mercury for Mercury, Copper for Venus, Iron for Mars, Tin for Jupiter, and  Lead for Saturn

It has been found that among the wave patterns of different singing bowls there is a measurable wave pattern which is equivalent to the alpha waves produced by the brain. These bowls instill a sense of deep relaxation and "inner space opening up".

Singing bowls have three sets of double tones, very rich in harmonics and micro-tones. A dominant base or male tone, a dominant treble or female tone, and interval dominant consisting of the blending of the base and treble. Experiment with your playing technique until, with time and patience, all tones may be sensed or heard. With practice, the sound of your bowl will be sustained from 30 seconds up to 2 or 3 minutes after you stop playing. You may even find that after playing the bowl for awhile, hours or even days later, walking down the street or reading the paper, you hear the bowl singing in your ears. This is quite natural and signals a very enhanced state of awareness.

The bowls are played by two basic methods: striking the rim with a soft mallet which gives rise to beautiful gong sounds with long lasting resonance, and rubbing the rim with a stick which produces haunting, pulsating harmonics that can be sustained indefinitely.

First, place the bowl in the flat of your palm, or hold it on the bottom with your finger tips. Be careful not to smother it with your hand. This will block the sound. The bowl needs space to vibrate. Next, to play your bowl, take the playing stick (mallet) and place it firmly on the outer edge of the bowl.

Move the mallet in a clockwise motion (because that's what Tibetans prefer), very slowly, while firmly against the rim of the bowl. If the bowl makes a buzzing sound, then you're playing too fast or not firmly enough.

Give yourself time to tune into the bowl. The bowl will play differently at different times and at different room temperatures. It also will seem to respond to your moods.

Another way to play is to hold it in the palm of your hand and strike it firmly with your wrist. This will bring a deeper tone. You can also use a drumstick with a padded end.

You can increase the low tones if you wrap the bottom of your stick in tape. Electrical tape seems to work best.

I have found that I will state out loud what it is that I wish to accomplish while playing my bowl. Whether it is to meditate, to clear a room or an object, or to invoke an angel. Sometimes I invoke the angel first to help me clear an object. The vibrations, when the bowl is played correctly, can literally realign your chakras (and everyone else's in hearing distance of the bowl).

They are remarkable tools for clearing a house of unwanted energy. Simply choose a room and state your intent out loud. You can walk around the room while you're playing the bowl, or you can sit comfortably in one spot. Whatever feels right and best at the time. You may find that it changes depending on what you're doing. I find that windows need extra clearing. Open yourself to the energy at the moment and ask your guide or angel for help.

There is no one exact and true recipe for success. The best way to go about it is to meditate with the bowl and get to know it very well first. And also ask your guides or angels for protection when clearing a room or house of unwanted energy. Or say a prayer. This always works!

The best teacher is experience.

Love & light,

Judith

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