Tibetan Singing Bowls

[Anonymous]

I have begun to work with one of these bowls and what a joy it has been. There is an article (http://www.branwenscauldron.com/singingbowl.html)
here on Branwen's (if you don't know what they are) which is where I first learned of the bowls. I felt an immediate sense that this was something I should pursue as soon as I saw the article.

Playing the bowl takes patience and concentration (and often more strength than my arms have due to my MS) but the reward is always worth the time and effort. Patience, first, concentration, second, and the gift I receive is a 'song' that is tuned to my heart.

I took a chance and ordered from the internet and was sent a lovely bowl that is absolutely perfect for my hand and provides a lovely sound that seems chosen just for me. It is a perfect addition to my meditation as well as a gift I can now offer the Deities in my rituals. My daughter is now struggling to learn to play it as well, though she creates her own special music by striking the outside to find different notes all her own, until she can learn to play the bowl.

[Shadow]

Playing the bowl takes patience and concentration (and often more strength than my arms have due to my MS) but the reward is always worth the time and effort. Patience, first, concentration, second, and the gift I receive is a 'song' that is tuned to my heart.

It could be that you are trying to hard.  I don't use any strength and I have to be careful not to make the bowl sing too loudly or it annoys the people around me, like the neighbors.

Try staying as relaxed as possible and allow your energy to flow up and out from your center down your arm and into the bowl.    Remember, you have to put the energy into the bowl to get the energy out of it.  Focused intent is more important than muscle power or how fast you run the stick around the outside rim.  Try imigining the bowl filling with your energy to the point of overflowing.  The overflow will come out as sound.

As for the MS, have you tried acupunture.  My wife, Jennie, is an acupuncturist and has a great deal of success with her MS patients.  She can't cure them, but she sure amazes their doctors with the results she gets.  Her patients get a large ruduction in the frequency and severity of exacerbations, reversal of lesions, and functional improvement.

Not every acupuncturist can get these results.  Many acupuncturists report little success in the treatment of MS, or other neurologic conditions.  You need to find someone who is familiar with the disease and knows their stuff.  Jennie is good enough that she gets MS patients refered to her by neurologists.  However, I'm sure she can't be the only acupuncturist in the world who is getting good results in the treatment of neurological condtions.

[Sebbi]

It could be that you are trying to hard.  I don't use any strength and I have to be careful not to make the bowl sing too loudly or it annoys the people around me, like the neighbors.

Oh the joys of sound insulation.

*admires new 150 Watt amplifer*

On a more serious note - anything musical, I would suggest finding space where you don't feel you have to hold back in anyway. Granted for practicalities sake, much of the time holding back is useful but it's a different experience than being free from your limitations.

Then again that's a general note, and I have no experience with Tibetan Singing Bowls, either as a musical instrument or a meditational aid.

Much Love
Sebbi

[Anonymous]

Playing the bowl takes patience and concentration (and often more strength than my arms have due to my MS) but the reward is always worth the time and effort. Patience, first, concentration, second, and the gift I receive is a 'song' that is tuned to my heart.

It could be that you are trying to hard.  I don't use any strength and I have to be careful not to make the bowl sing too loudly or it annoys the people around me, like the neighbors.

As for the MS, have you tried acupunture...

I appreciate your suggestions. My lack of strength in my arms is a deterrent in holding the stick up to the bowl at all, as opposed to pressing too hard, etc. I have difficulty lifting my arms to even feed myself, let alone the repeated circular action of playing the bowl with one hand and holding it with the other. Having said that, I feel it is good exercise for body, mind and soul and that I will derive benefits on all those levels as I continue. Just getting centered enough to try has been good for me (and I've tried it with the bowl on a little 'cushion' though I am like it better when I can hold it in my hand instead).

As for acupuncture, I again appreciate the suggestion. I have tried every single treatment for my pain and my other symptoms (except bee stings as I'm allergic to those). I have severe allodynia (pain in my skin for lack of a better explanation) as well as deep neuromuscular pain, which makes touching me almost impossible (clothes hurt like hell and my kids hug me knowing that, while they need to, it will hurt me). Still, we tried it. I cannot say it helped me at all, though it has helped others I know.

MS is a tricky monster. It is different in every single person who has it; our reactions to treatments differ as well.

[Brijrian]

Well, wren skywolf, I admire you! You have challenges, but aren't letting them slow your path  

You must be quite a woman to reckon with!

I've never seen Tibetan Singing Bowls, but I have heard them (recorded). They really are quite beautiful! I'm excited to hear of the benefits you will experience for your body, mind, and soul from playing these. I only heard recordings of them. I can't imagine how much more beautiful and potent they must be when you are playing them yourself!

[Anonymous]

Well, wren skywolf, I admire you! You have challenges, but aren't letting them slow your path  

You must be quite a woman to reckon with!

LOL! As all women are!

 

I can't imagine how much more beautiful and potent they must be when you are playing them yourself!

Try to imagine feeling the vibration as well as hearing the bowl. When I achieve the song, it's as if it is truly a part of me.