One of the most beloved implements used in Tibetan Buddhism, singing bowls — or standing bells — have become popular across the globe in settings other than Buddhist practices. There are many uses for and benefits of owning a singing bowl: sometimes used in music, by yoga instructors, elementary school teachers, for meditation, relaxation, and sound healing.
THE BENEFITS OF USING A SINGING BOWL
DEEP RELAXATION
Regular use of your cell phone and technology have you caught in a cycle of constant beta brainwaves – logic, thinking and overthinking. Use of a himalayan singing bowl can help you access theta and alpha brainwaves and open you up to insight and calm, beyond the rational mind. Another consequence of experiencing a sound bath or using a singing bowl in your own practice, is that it allows us to temporarily place technology to the side and focus on the present.
HEALING AND IMMUNE SYSTEM FUNCTION
Experiencing constant, and chronic, levels of stress takes a toll on your body’s ability to heal itself. In the emerging field of epigenetics, we are learning that the environment one’s body is in affects the genetic expression of disease states. By using a regular meditative practice like a singing bowl, we can place our body into an “environment” more receptive to healing.
THE SUMMARY
A singing bowl can be used for a wide range of things; some of those include:
- Induce peace and calmness
- Create an environment in your body receptive to healing
- As an incredible statement piece, or a ceremonial or altar object
- For use in all sorts of classrooms
- For musicians and musical performances
- To bring you into the here, now and this
- To be played for children, and non human children (our pets!)
WHY ARE SINGING BOWLS USED
There is a concept in neuroscience called “plasticity,” that refers to your brain’s ability to change, even as an adult. Regular singing bowl users report that practice with their bowl allows them to “train their brain” to access peaceful states more easily every time they practice.
The culture of singing bowls is filled with non specific and vague reasons why they are useful. A simple way to understand the real benefits of singing bowls, is to understand what’s at stake.
In Tibetan Buddhism, singing bowls are most often used for sound offerings, to hold food offerings to Buddha, and occasionally during meditation. It’s worth noting that singing bowls are much more commonly used in Western culture today than in Tibetan Buddhism.
There is a note that corresponds with each chakra for use during sound healing work — Root Chakra/Muladhara, C note; Sacral Charka/Svadhisthana, D note; Solar Plexus Chakra/Manipura, E note; Heart Chakra/Anahata, F note; Throat Chakra/Vishuddha, G note; Third Eye Chakra/Ajna, A note; Crown Chakra/Sahasrara, B note. Sound healing has increased in popularity over recent years and is used to assist with ailments ranging from sleep disorders to depression and anxiety.