Introduction to Singing Bowls
Historians believe that metal working artisans perfected the techniques for making Himalayan Singing Bowls nearly 2,500 years ago at the time of Buddha’s brith. Although there is not a lot of written history to trace the origin of this ancient art, fortunately, there is a rich tradition of oral history that tells us that the bowls came to Tibet and Nepal from India at the same time that Buddhism was introduced by the great Buddhist master, Padmasambhava. Therefore, the history of Himalayan Singing Bowls goes back to the 8th century A.D.
The making of traditional Himalayan Singing bowls has been handed down from generation to generation within a clan or caste. Today, craftsman in Kathmandu Valley work to revive the ancient techniques for making the bowls. Each bowl begins its life as a ingot of 7 sacred metals which would include gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, mercury and lead. The ingot is about a third of the size of the finished bowl, so for a 12” bowl the ingot is only 4” to begin. To complete a 12” bowl is takes roughly 100 hours to complete with 3-4 people hand hammering each bowl, one artisan is holding the hot metal with blacksmith tongs, while 2-3 others alternate hammering and chanting “Om Mani Padme Hum,” infusing the bowl with healing intentions while it is being created.
The making of traditional Himalayan Singing bowls has been handed down from generation to generation within a clan or caste. Today, craftsman in Kathmandu Valley work to revive the ancient techniques for making the bowls. Each bowl begins its life as a ingot of 7 sacred metals which would include gold, silver, copper, iron, tin, mercury and lead. The ingot is about a third of the size of the finished bowl, so for a 12” bowl the ingot is only 4” to begin. To complete a 12” bowl is takes roughly 100 hours to complete with 3-4 people hand hammering each bowl, one artisan is holding the hot metal with blacksmith tongs, while 2-3 others alternate hammering and chanting “Om Mani Padme Hum,” infusing the bowl with healing intentions while it is being created.
Healing Through Singing Bowls
The Himalayan Singing Bowls can heal though sound and vibration because of the intention used in creating them. Physics tells us that everything vibrates at a specific frequency. This vibration occurs at different levels of consciousness, including the human body and its energy systems - Chakras and Auras. Himalayan Singing Bowls produce pure vibrations capable of correcting these imbalances in our Subtle Bodies. When there is disease or distress in the body, the cell’s vibrate out of balance. Therefore, it is particularly effective to place the singing bowls directly on the body- so that the vibrations are in an optimal position to affect any internal imbalances.
As humans, we are exposed to many unnatural and discordant sounds - the rush of traffic, television chatter, electronic noise pollution, and countless more random and unpleasant sounds of modern day living. Himalayan Singing Bowls. Produce sounds that are calming and pleasing to the brain. The bowls produce tones that are pure, naturally harmonious, and resonant with each other. The effect of listening to this type of sound calms the mind, much like listing to nature. A calm mind naturally produces a healthier body making it less susceptible to illness and disease.
As humans, we are exposed to many unnatural and discordant sounds - the rush of traffic, television chatter, electronic noise pollution, and countless more random and unpleasant sounds of modern day living. Himalayan Singing Bowls. Produce sounds that are calming and pleasing to the brain. The bowls produce tones that are pure, naturally harmonious, and resonant with each other. The effect of listening to this type of sound calms the mind, much like listing to nature. A calm mind naturally produces a healthier body making it less susceptible to illness and disease.