Auditory Wizardry: Soothe Your Senses with Music In Meditation

Let’s set the scene: you’re lying down on your couch, feeling stressed about an upcoming work deadline, or spat with your partner. Maybe you’re just a bit lost about where you’re headed next. But suddenly, you hear a majestic sound that transports you to another dimension and phase of life. You’re instantly calmer and more collected as you ponder what you just heard. Only a siren singing could result in such an excess of healing energy and chakra connection, right? Wrong. You just heard the magic of sound bowls. What are these healing remedies that date back thousands of years? Let us fill you in on this meditation marvel.

What are sound bowls?

Sound bowls, also known as singing bowls, originated thousands of years ago in Mesopotamia, making their way to regions of Tibet, Nepal, and India. Each location has its own traditions regarding these instruments. Which some believe were initially intended to measure grains or for medicinal purposes. However, most cultures end up using sound bowls in a similar manner…for spiritual, religious, and meditation reasons.

Sound bowls are made of all types of metals, such as bronze, brass, or copper, and are often shaped like a bell. When struck with a hard object such as a stick or mallet, they produce a soothing and surreal sound that’s believed to have intense energy-healing powers. These instruments are known to relieve stress, clear blockages amongst the chakras. And help you develop a stronger sense of being.

Are they still used today in meditation?

Short answer: yes, and it comes down to science. You know that feeling when you’re at a concert and can feel the music vibrating through your body? This results from sound waves traveling through the air and penetrating solid objects, including human beings. Guess what? A similar process happens when you strike a sound bowl. It produces sound waves that can resonate with your body, helping to cleanse your chakras and balance your energy. Oh, and did we mention that singing bowls can also provide some serious physical health benefits?

According to a 2016 study on the effects of singing bowl sound meditation on mood, most participants experienced a significant increase in overall wellbeing. The sound bowl therapy helped to create “significantly less tension, anger, fatigue, and depressed mood.” As feelings of anxiety lessened, participants also decreased their risk of suffering from stress-related conditions down the line – including heart disease, high blood pressure and addiction. With such a striking instrument that heals your body inside and out, we’d 100% recommend a set of sound bowls for your next meditation session.

How do I use singing bowls to meditate and clear chakras?

And here’s the best part: just like a guitar uses different notes to play all your favorite songs, it’s the same case with sound bowls. Depending on the shape, size and type of metal, each bowl has its own unique sound and frequency. You can read music and hit various notes to form your own songs. Each of which is known to reach different parts of your body. Need more context? Just check out this video featuring 9 Chakra Cleanses for Body, Mind & Spirit.

As you can see, the sound bowl is played in various frequencies and formations… helping you reach the portion of your body you feel most disconnected from. Looking for a bit of self-love? One sound bowl song can dive into the Heart, Sacral and Root Chakras to bring out this side of yourself. How about mental clarity, the most-replayed portion of the video? The singing bowls play towards your crown chakra to awaken the hidden knowledge within, the third eye chakra for clear inward vision, and the throat chakra to unleash your voice within. We love this for you!

The rest of the clip shows you how to reach within yourself for empowerment, motivation, spiritual wellness and much more. You can learn to read music for your sound bowls the same way you would any other instrument, and the payoff in spiritual awakening and self-discovery is completely worth it. Blend ancient wellness practices with modern meditation techniques as you enjoy your newfound appreciation for sound bowls. Trust us, they’re going to become one of the top wellness trends of upcoming years!

Learn more about sound therapy in this article from the Spafinder archives.