Healing with sound

Since time immemorial, people in the Himalayan region have been using Tibetan singing
bowls to cure physical and mental disorders, writes Shama Rana

MUSIC knows no language or boundaries. The reverberating sounds of singing bowls, which originated amid the lofty landscape of Tibet in the ancient times, is riding the crest of popularity the world over. The singing bowls also known as Tibetan singing bowls, Himalayan singing bowls, rin, suzu gongs come in myriad sizes and each of them has unique properties.

Singing bowls are traditionally made up of`A0seven metals — gold, silver, mercury, copper, iron, tin and lead — which signify the seven celestial bodies (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, respectively). The bowl is struck with a wooden mallet that comes along with it to produce vibrations. Singing bowls come in metal as well as quartz crystal. Tibetan singing bowls are actually Tibetan bells, which look like bowls. Only that these bells are made in a standing position unlike the regular hanging bells.

Healing through sound is an ancient form of therapy. The Tibetan singing bowls use the sound therapy to heal the body, mind and soul. Since ages, people in the Himalayan region have been using singing bowls to relate the sound frequencies with the different elements of the body. Buddhist practitioners use these bowls in meditation to transcend to another plane of consciousness. Chiropractors,

Reiki practitioners, sound therapists and medical practitioners use singing bowls to heal and bring peace to their patients. Says K-sar, an expert of sound therapy, based in Delhi, "In the allopathic system of medicine, doctors prescribe different medicines for different ailments. Likewise, in sound therapy, an array of sound vibrations is used to cure a number of ailments."

The main emphasis is on the frequency of the sound vibrations produced to cure a particular
disorder, he adds.

A Tibetan singing bowl is held on a palm and side of the bowl is gently struck with the mallet. When the bowl is struck on the sides with a mallet, the vibration causes the singing bowl to emit a sound, which resonates for a long time after it is played. While meditating, the sound and vibrations both should be focussed upon. The sound resonating from a singing bowl helps the mind to remain calm. The resonance of this sound activates the brain, and reawakens our spiritual self into a blissful state of elevation.

Each singing bowl plays a single note that balances the kundalini chakras in our bodies. The pitch of the bowl depends on its thickness, size and weight and the tone and volume can be set by the force of the tap, and the hardness of the mallet. It is also believed that mantras chanted during the making of a singing bowl are released into the universe when the bowl is played; hence immensely benefitting the practitioner. These bowls should be used with the help of experts. Otherwise the vibrations thus produced can unleash negativity on the user.

A serene environment around is essential to concentrate on the sound vibes. If one concentrates on the tunes of the singing bowls, the vibrations restore the positive energy. The soothing resonating sound of the bowl helps people to heal, mentally as well as physically.

Today more and more people are opting for therapies that involve Tibetan singing bowls to keep ailments at bay.`A0Tibetan singing bowls are specifically created to heal. These bowls have a curative effect on the cells of the body. Many people who suffer from stress-related illness or any physical discomfort can use the singing bowls. Tibetan singing bowls are said to regulate blood pressure and sleep disorders. The chants, which accompany the playing of the singing bowls, also help an individual in attaining serene mental state. Many people report a markedly improved level of concentration and energy during the day and better quality sleep at night. Asthma is believed to get cured with the help of singing bowls. The sound frequencies not only effectively heal the pain, stress and anxiety but also help in activating the dormant energy in the body. The sound therapy also helps in increasing concentration levels. The singing bowls sound therapy instils a positive bent of mind and a sense of inner happiness and peace in the practitioner.

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