Tibetan Singing bowls are an aid to meditation, and can be found in Buddhist temples. Each bowl is handcrafted, has a unique voice and made of the seven metals representing seven planetary influences: Gold(sun), Silver(moon), Mercury(Mercury), Copper(Venus), Iron(Mars), Tin(Jupiter), Lead(Saturn). Together these metals produce a profound sound which can penetrate deep within the body and mind creating a subtle healing. This sound invokes a deep state of relaxation which naturally assists one in entering into meditation, the ultimate goal being enlightenment. In addition , singing bowls are used for deep relaxation, stress reduction, Reiki, holistic healing, and chakra balancing.

Playing the Singing Bowl

Put the singing bowl on your palm, keep your hand flat and straight. Do not hold the bowl with your fingers. You can also put the bowl on the table on a sturdy surface, the bowl should not move when you are playing it.
Strike the singing bowl with the mallet or wooden striker before you begin playing the bowl. Singing bowls make their sound by rubbing the striker around the rim of the bowl. Be sure to press the striker firmly against the rim and the striker must remain in constant contact with the bowl. Move the striker slowly around the outside rim of the bowl with constant even pressure and you will soon hear the singing bowl hum. Slowly increasing the speed without ever going too fast. If the hum sounds choppy, slow down.
Some bowls come to full volume in a couple of seconds, others take ten or more seconds. By adjusting the speed and angle of the mallet, the sound will change accordingly. Practice to find the proper balance of angle, speed, and pressure in order to make your singing bowl sing continuously for as long as you would like to play.