Thursday, December 26, 2013

Facts On The History Of Using Singing Bowls For Therapy

By Eugenia Dickerson


Traditionally, Tibetan singing bowls are not just used to create beautiful music. Each vessel is classified as a bell, particularly, a standing bell. They have been used in that nation for healing for many years. These instruments are also known as suzu gongs. People who play them usually place the bowl with the bottom resting securely on a solid surface such as a floor or a table.

The bell is used with a mallet or striker, which is used to hit the metal repeatedly at intervals. The sound is often a signal that meditation is about the begin. A peal also announces the end of a period of reflection. Usually, in Buddhist practice, this is the only sound that is heard during a period of introspective silence.

Older pieces of art from the Himalayas sometimes feature a bowl in a prominent place. This artwork includes sculpture and paintings, all of which are quite detailed. This allows researchers to easily study the ways in which these objects were used in the past. More ancient pieces are made of bronze. Some have been found in private collections and are often made of similar materials that were available thousands of years ago.

While these gongs have pride of place in the Himalayas, they definitely have gained acclaim in other regions. In Japan, China, India and many other nations, examples of these ancient symbols of healing can be seen. The Korean and Nepalese people are known to employ them as means for facilitating healing as well. Just as pipe organs are sometimes associated with Christian music, this instrument is often linked with Buddhism.

Buddhists may practice mindfulness on occasion or try to engage in this habit more regularly. This is not only a habit of people from this background as people in the West and East who have no affiliation with Buddhism also do this. However Buddhists are more likely to use gongs as a part of their meditation while sitting or walking .

If you have never heard this bell before, you may be interested in learning what it sounds like. Video sharing sites make it easy to hear samples of this and other uncommon audio. Some may find it appealing while others have an opposite reaction. However it mainly serves to focus ones attention on personal healing.

Beautiful antique Tibetan singing bowls are sometimes found in private collections while others are displayed in museums across the globe. They are not usually highly decorated but they do have variations that make them unique. The older vessels are made by hand. As such, when comparing one with another, quite a few differences are apparent. This gives each bell special characteristics that makes it valuable as a collectible.

As time passes more objects from the East become a part of life in the West and it becomes easier for people from different cultures to appreciate these vessels. Collecting Tibetan singing bowls can be an interesting and educational experience, both for the collector and those they come in contact with as they explore history.




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