About Singing Bowls
According to Tibetan oral tradition, the existence of singing bowls can be traced back to the time of the historical Shakyamuni Buddha, and this tradition, which originated in Tibet, found its way to the Himalayan in the 8th Century A.D. along with the teachings of the Buddha.
Singing bowls produce sounds that invoke a deep state of relaxation which naturally assists one in entering into meditation. Most people experience the sound vibration of singing bowls as very soothing and calming, which is why singing bowls are widely used for relaxation exercises and meditation groups.
Tibetan tradition suggests that singing bowls are made of an alloy of seven different metals which consists of gold, silver, copper, brass, iron, tin, lead, and mercury. All these metals produce an individual sound, including harmonics and together these sounds produce the exceptional singing sound of the bowl. The actual proportions of the different metals vary in each bowl.
In addition to their traditional usage for meditation, Tibetan Singing bowls are used for holistic healing, stress reduction, and chakra balancing. The rich blend of harmonic overtones that the bowls produce has a direct effect on the chakras and can be applied to adjust, restore, and maintain personal harmony. Just as a well-tuned instrument caresses the ear, the singing bowl sound caresses the body, mind, and soul.
Apart from the usage for personal healing and transformation, Singing bowls have a purely musical aspect as versatile instruments and the pleasure of playing and listening to them is paramount. Singing bowls can be played in combination with all sorts of instruments, and many musicians use them in their performances and in their recordings in jazz, hip-hop, film scores, and many forms of world music.