The phenomenon of the singing bowl is becoming increasingly well-known. You only need to strike the rim gently with a beater, or stroke the rim with a stick to be enveloped in its wonderful humming, singing sound with deep throbbing undertones and undulating overtones. My own introduction to the bowls was through the workshops of Chris and Jenny James, and I quickly learned of their deep healing properties and calming influences. Playing a bowl feels cleansing, negativity disappears, and the world can be seen with greater clarity and purpose. Anyone can benefit from the relaxing, soothing effects of the sounds the bowls produce, and many people are mysteriously drawn to the sounds, finding them fascinating regardless of any spiritual connections.

There is very little information available in written form on the singing bowls. Their origin is mysterious, and obscured by secrecy and rumour. They have been used for thousands of years; anecdotal evidence claims that they may pre-date Buddhism. ; Singing bowls are not exclusive to the Himalayas - small shiny golden bowls with thin walls, are generally Japanese bowls;  fairly thin bowls with concave 'bottle' bases are mainly made in India;  the true Tibetan bowl is said to contain more silver & tin giving it a dull lustre, whereas the Nepalese bowls have a golden glow.

The physical and spiritual effect of singing bowls is no mystery. Sound is a physical phenomenon and the perception of sound takes place in accordance with principles that can be explained in physical and biological terms.

According to tradition, the bowls are made of a seven-metal alloy, one metal for each of the following heavenly bodies:

GOLD - THE SUN SILVER - THE MOON MERCURY - MERCURY COPPER - VENUS IRON - MARS TIN - JUPITER LEAD - SATURN

and it is thought that the techniques necessary for making the bowls existed in Asia as early as 2500 years ago. Every metal manifests it's individual sound and harmonics, each offering it's own exceptional medicine of sound, and together they produce the exceptional singing sound of the bowl. A bowl’s individuality is then determined by the differing proportions of metals used, and its individual shape, sound and personality.

Singing Bowls can be used to enhance meditative states, and the notion, that sound and vibration affect consciousness, is widespread and forms the basis for the ritual use of drums and other instruments in shamanic religions. Certain sounds are used as therapy in many cultures, especially when someone is seen as out of balance or having lost his natural internal rhythm.

Bowls are relatively easy to play - most people can make a bowl "sing" very quickly, and relaxing with a singing bowl can be like having gentle sounds washing over and through your body and energy field, sounds that range from light tinkling notes to deep sonorous tones, lifting and re-energising, sounds that weave a tapestry of healing and relaxation. Tension, pain and old emotions are eased and gently float away to be replaced by calm. Each time a bowl is gently tapped or stroked, the resonance echoes through the energy field, each sound working on areas that are blocked, sluggish or out of balance.