What is a Sound Bath?
Sound is heard not only through our ears, but also through every cell in our bodies
The entire universe is in a state of vibration. Every organ, cell, bone and tissue and liquid of the body, and also the electromagnetic fields, which surround the body have a vibratory frequency. When we are healthy everything in our body vibrates in harmony or resonance.
Dis-ease occurs when a part of our body begins to vibrate at a different rate, out of harmony with the rest. Since all matter is energy vibrating at different rates, by altering the rate of vibration we can change the structure of matter.
How does Sound Bath or Sound Meditation Work?
Sound helps to facilitate shifts in our brainwave state by using entrainment. This allows the body to go into a deep meditative state very easily without much effort from you.
Entrainment synchronizes our fluctuating brainwaves (thoughts) by providing a stable frequency (sounds), which the brainwave can attune to. Another words, it helps us relax without having to think about relaxing, so the mind, body and spirit can find its true self again and be at peace. A harmonious sound is projected which can then bring those around it into resonance with that healing tone. The sound vibrations impact our nervous system, engaging our relaxation reflex and inhibiting the stress or pain response. Sound may also have emotional effects, influencing neurotransmitters and neuropeptides, regulating the immune system. When the brain waves and body are synchronized, balance can be restored and tension/stress released.
History of Tibetan Singing Bowls
Music & sound making instruments are as old as humanity and have always been used to promote healing & transformation of consciousness.
The Singing Bowl is one of the most primal & useful forms created by humans.
Singing Bowls are native to India, Tibet & Himalayan region. The golden yellow metal Singing Bowls are unique Sound Healing & musical instruments. At first, they may not look like a musical or healing instrument. However when you start to stir or beat these bowls with diff. Kinds of sticks & beaters unexpectedly warm, deep, perceptible vibrations are transformed into full, harmonious sound.
According to Tibetan oral traditions, the existence of Singing Bowls dates back to 560-480 B.C.; the tradition was brought back from INDIA to TIBET, along with the teaching of Buddha by some great “ Tantric” masters in the Tibetan region.
The origin & original function of these metal bowls with their fascinating & ethereal sound and their undeniable influence on the mind, body & soul are still surrounded by an aura of mystery.
In 1951 China invaded Tibet. Then the Chinese began to destroy most of the monasteries & temples. Many monks fled the country. Living outside their country and in poverty created pressure to sell their belongings, which contributed to the gradual appearance of the singing bowls on the western market in the 1960’s & 1970’s.
That metal bowls can make beautiful sounds and can be used as tools for meditation & healing is new to the modern world. Very little is known about how the bowls were used in the past. Even in Tibet they were not very well known and were kept & used secretly by the monks & lamas.
Singing Bowls have been in use in Great Vedic Civilization, Buddhist Meditation & Spiritual philosophy, Himalayas culture for centuries. Available only to select monks in secluded monasteries of Himalayan region, they have carried the mystique of nirvana (Divine enlightenment ) in their sacred vibrations.
Perhaps guessing about and digging into the origin of Singing Bowls is not very important. They exist, and they have found their way for the benefit of mankind with their healing & transformation energies. Probably this might be enough to know in our approach to the Singing Bowls.
An instrument with a balanced & harmonious effect on our whole human existence, Singing Bowls could have a great influence- now & in the future- on our capacity for expanding consciousness, transformation & healing.
When Singing Bowls are played together, the intermingling tones start to resonate creatively producing the most unexpected & mysterious sound.Because of their spiritual qualities, these very SOUNDS can touch you at the deepest level of your soul.
History of The Gong
The existence of the gong dates back to the Bronze Age, around 3500 BC and the main gong producing areas were believed to be Burma, China, Java and Annam. For centuries a gong was viewed as a symbol of status and success among Asian families and the secrets of gong making were closely guarded. Since the time of Buddha in 600 BC, all sacred Chinese gongs have been inscribed with the two Mandarin Chinese characters “Tai Loi”, which means happiness has arrived.
Some of the ancient uses for the gong include meditation, healing, communication, and announcing the beginning of ceremonies. Gongs were also used in European orchestras from 1790 onward and are currently a part of orchestras around the world.
Gongs are made of a bronze alloy which consists of approximately 75 percent copper, 20 percent tin and 5 percent nickel. They are prayerfully hand hammered and refined by the artisans whose soul is imbued in the finished product.
Asian cultures, the gong is an important part of celebrations, births, weddings and funeral ceremonies.
In the Buddhist culture, the gong is used today, as it was in the past, to start the beginning of meditation practice and to call group members to gather together.
Today, gongs are used in complementary therapy along with other instruments to entrain people to a theta brain wave state to promote healing.
History of The Crystal Singing Bowl
The earliest crystal singing bowls derived their origin from technology developed by the space and semi-conductor industries as crucibles for force growing crystals. Indeed, in National Laboratories in the United States, they are still employed in this way to this day. These early bowls were “discovered” sometime in the mid 1970s when people began adopting these crystal crucibles, embracing them as extended family to the metallic Tibetan Singing Bowls.
In the last two decades, the awareness of sound and vibration as a bonafide healing modality has grown exponentially throughout the world. During this time, vast numbers of people began consciously working with the crystalline sound of the bowls, integrating their frequencies into an ever expanding array of healing techniques and practices. From alternative to allopathic medicine, crystal singing bowls began finding their way in a multitude of settings: working with people challenged by life threatening illnesses, in hospices and nursing homes; and in churches, yoga studios, and meditation groups to help relieve the stress of everyday life. Eventually, companies began manufacturing crystal singing bowls solely for their use in sound therapy environments.
Crystal singing bowls are traditionally white frosted bowls made from 99.992% pure crushed quartz and heated to about 4000 degrees in a centrifugal mold. They come in a variety of sizes, ranging from 6 to 24 inches in diameter.
The crystal singing bowls that I play in my live performances are made of pure quartz crystal. These bowls are white classic frosted crystal singing bowls 432 HZ. The bowls have a resonant ring that is rich in musical overtones and an angelic celestial sound. Energetically, these bowls help us entrain to higher, more refined, vibratory higher source frequencies.
All religious and spiritual beliefs are welcomed in my life and to my sound meditation events. I respect all religions and forms of spirituality. I consider myself spiritual and of this world we live in. Let’s all help one another find peace and heal together.
