How to choose a tibetan singing bowl?

Tibetan singing bowls are becoming more and more popular nowadays. Originally used for their therapeutic and curative properties, today it isn’t uncommon to see them being used as simple decorative accessories. Nevertheless, each of these bowls is unique and using them solely for their aesthetics would be a crime. The overall look of the bowl is of course important during the selection process but to really choose your singing bowl well you have to go even further.

For what purpose?

Before choosing your singing bowl, it is strongly advised to know why you want to acquire one. Whether it is to act as an accompaniment for meditation sessions or for use during a massage, each bowl is unique and so possesses different qualities. Once you have your objective in mind you are now ready to start looking for a singing bowl suitable to your needs. Don’t rush, choosing a bowl is your business and no-one elses! It is recommended that you test the singing bowl yourself, letting yourself be surprised by its notes, by the energy produced, and the atmosphere it creates. A strong and powerful connection must be established between yourself and your bowl. If you have already felt this sensation whilst listening to making a bowl “sing” then you are on the right track. 

Bowl quality

Most people are unable to tell the difference between a good singing bowl and a bad one. Not because they are ignorant or uneducated but simply because technology today means we can make bowls that look like two drops of water and bowls that are forged are shaped by hand.

Don’t be fooled and educate yourself before buying your singing bowl. Make sure that it is a handmade model and not machine made. 

However, I grant you, a bowl made on a factory assembly-line can produce a totally fine sound and its use can also offer several advantages. Personally, I like to think that by choosing a singing bowl, I am getting a unique object with a story, an object which will be part of my everyday life and for that reason I have to feel good and be confident. I wouldn’t be able to have this sort of sensation with a bowl available in thousands of copies. 

The note

The most important part of a singing bowl is exactly that- its “song”. It is still pleasant and surprising to discover the bowl’s tonality but sometimes we can be disappointed. Each bowl is unique and being struck by hand, it’s a surprise every time to find out if the final sound produced by the bowl is of good quality or not. If the vibration fades too quickly or the sound produced is too quiet this means that the quality of your bowl isn’t up to scratch. A good quality singing bowl is powerful and its vibration must resonate throughout your whole body.

There isn’t a note that is more effective than another, here as well with everything is about feeling and personal emotions. Seeing how your body reacts to the waves or how your emotions are directly influenced by the sound produced is a complicated task at the start but once you gain experience you will immediately know what kind of bowl you are drawn to.

Don’t lose hope too quickly whilst trying to make your bowl sing. Some require very specific attention and will only “sing” after a certain amount of time. You must allow time to form that connection between you and your bowl, which can take several minutes or even several days!

If you already own several singing bowls you can play them together. Each bowl being different, the combinations and the possibilities are practically infinite. Whether it be for healing, meditation or massage you will be able to combine several singing bowls creating harmony and a real safe haven.

General appearance

I am aware that earlier in this article I explained that the overall appearance of the bowl shouldn’t influence your choice. However I would love to clarify my comments a little bit.  

The bowl’s appearance does not have to be a determining factor but it is a factor to take into account anyway. No-one wants to have an object in their home that makes them uncomfortable. As well as creating harmony with yourself through the notes produced, the object has to appear harmonious overall in your eyes. It shouldn’t bother you during your meditation sessions and its appearance and structure should match you.

Once again this is a totally personal choice and no-one can choose a singing bowl that best matches you better than you.

Chakras and desired effects

Our body is composed of chakras. These are vital points which allow us to draw the energy that we need for our body and soul to function well. There are 7 in total and each one influences a specific part of your body and mind. The 7 chakras are aligned all along your spine, so when we talk about the central energy channel, it’s from here that your bodily and spiritual energy draws all its strength. 

The vast majority of Tibetan singing bowls are made of an alloy of 7 different metals: copper, tin, iron, lead, mercury, silver and gold. Each of these metals is symbolically linked to one of our chakras and that is why once they are assembled the sound produced by these singing bowls will affect the whole body. 

I’m going to try to summarise the importance of each of these chakras:

The 7 chakras of the human body

-Root chakra: Located at the perineal level, its element is Earth and is represented by the colour red. It encompasses how you feel about everything around you, your safety and your everyday environment.

-Sacral chakra: Located just below your belly button, its element is Air and is represented by the colour orange. It encompasses all things linked to human pleasure: food, sex, and even the arts.

-Solar plexus chakra: Located in the solar plexus area (as the name suggests), its element is Fire and is represented by the colour yellow. It encompasses all things linked to confidence and self-esteem.

-Heart chakra: Located in the middle of your chest, its element is Air and is represented by the colour green. It encompasses all things linked to love (for yourself and others) and compassion.

-Throat chakra: Located just below your throat, its element is the Ether and is represented  by the colour blue. It encompasses all things linked to expression, honesty and communication with others.

–Third eye chakra: Located in the middle of the forehead, it is represented by the colour indigo. It encompasses all things linked to the mind, intuition, and the true perception of things.

-Crown chakra: Located at the top of your head, it is represented by the colour violet. It encompasses all things linked to the universe, and the overall connection with other energies.

The energy and waves produced by singing bowls will directly influence some chakras more than others. It is therefore essential to know what purpose you wish to acquire a Tibetan singing bowl. However a bowl does not influence a single chakra, it is a harmony that is established and several chakras can be stimulated at the same time. Once again everything comes down to personal feeling- listen to your body and allow yourself to be guided by your emotion.

In summary

Choosing a bowl is a personal decision that is yours alone to make. Listen to your emotions whilst listening to a bowl “singing” for the first time.. Let yourself be carried by the harmony and atmosphere it creates. A singing bowl is a much more personal object than it seems and you will share many moments together. It must match you perfectly and if this is not the case, there is no point trying. Don’t hesitate and let yourself be swayed by your emotions. This is surely THE best advice to follow when choosing your singing bowl.