Are Healing Bowls Truly "Miraculous"?
Many believe that healing bowls can ease stress and lift the spirit. How do their sounds and vibrations influence the body?
There are many articles about the wonderful uses of Healing Bowls (often referred to as “Tibetan Singing Bowl Therapy”) in supporting meditation, focusing the mind, and healing the body, mind, and spirit. This article aims to provide the most general overview of Healing Bowl Therapy.
Currently, there are no documented records regarding the exact time the Singing Bowl (Healing Bowl) was created. It is only known that the Healing Bowl originated in India, even before the birth of Yoga. From the 8th century, the Healing Bowl began to spread into the Himalayan region, accompanying the teaching journeys of Shakyamuni Buddha and Guru Padmasambhava.
Ancient Healing Bowls possess superior sound, vibration, and therapeutic qualities compared to the newly created, modern handcrafted ones. Modern handcrafted Healing Bowls are created by artisans or craftsmen with flexible adjustments to the size, materials, and design, depending on the bowl’s specific purpose, such as deep therapy, meditation support, and so on.
The use of the Healing Bowl has become common in countries along the Himalayan range, which is why the majority of people still refer to them as “Tibetan Singing Bowls,” “Nepali Singing Bowls,” or “Himalayan Singing Bowls.”
When using Healing Bowls, one may combine several bowls simultaneously, or combine them with water or sand placed inside the bowl to create different effects and varying sound levels.
According to Alternative Medicine, Healing Bowl Therapy (often referred to as Tibetan Singing Bowl Therapy) is one of the methods used in Mind-Body Therapy.
THE MEANING OF THE METALLIC ELEMENTS IN THE HEALING BOWLS
Lead symbolizes Saturn, the god of generation, abundance, and prosperity; it corresponds to the note Do and Chakra 1.
Iron symbolizes Mars, the god of war, whose weapons and armor were all made of iron, the planet of warriors and the masculine; it corresponds to the note Re and Chakra 2.
Tin symbolizes Jupiter, the god of Thunder, representing immense strength and possessing the qualities of being rust-resistant and durable; it corresponds to the note Mi and Chakra 3.
Gold symbolizes the Sun, the God that shines and warms all of humanity, immensely intimate and crucial for the life of all beings; it corresponds to the note Fa and Chakra 4.
Copper symbolizes Venus, representing the goddess of love, possessing the qualities of flexibility and reflecting glittering light, the planet of the feminine; it corresponds to the note Sol and Chakra 5.
Silver symbolizes the Moon, the God who guards human sleep night after night, possessing the characteristic glittering and flexible qualities of silver; it corresponds to the note La and Chakra 6.
Mercury symbolizes Mercury, the god of commerce, who frequently had to travel, possessing the qualities of dynamism and adaptability; it corresponds to the note Si and Chakra 7.
A body is healthy when its energy flow is steady. The chakras spin in the correct direction, are balanced with each other, and no energy gate is either overactive or weak (according to the book Luật Tâm Thức by Ngô Sa Thạch, Dân Trí Publishing House 2021). When imbalance occurs, the energy flow becomes blocked, causing pain or discomfort in that congested area. A person’s health manifestations may then include emotional instability, irritability, anger, lack of calmness, lack of clarity, and so on.
When a Healing Bowl is struck, it creates sound vibrations capable of resonance, which harmonize the energy flow within the body. These vibrations act directly upon various areas of the body, helping the listener achieve high concentration, regulate their breathing, and guide the body back to a state of balance, relaxation, and release, thanks to the vibrational frequency and sound that directly impact each energy center in the body.
Currently, there is insufficient scientific research on the effects of Healing Bowl Therapy. Nevertheless, before undergoing therapy with Healing Bowls, listeners need to be mindful of their current health status and may wish to consult a doctor if they have existing physical health issues such as surgical scars, open wounds, epilepsy, etc. Pregnant women should also consider carefully before exposing the fetus to the sound of the Healing Bowls. (Reference the article Dangers of Singing Bowl here).
CULTIVATING BEAUTIFUL EMOTIONS
The Healing Bowl emits incredibly unique sound waves—a persistent, deeply resonant tonal range that follows the rhythm of the practitioner. At times it rings out, urging and prompting, while at other times it is calmly slow and deliberate, carrying a source of creative energy and a sweet harmonization between the universe and all things, helping the listener’s mind become lighter and more relaxed.
The pure, pristine sound of the Healing Bowl washes away all the noise and chaos of life.
That clear, transparent sound awakens beautiful emotions within us.
Even amidst the hurried spin of life’s demanding pace, the need remains for a moment of quiet reflection to listen to the Healing Bowl and find peace in one’s heart.
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