learn about tibetan bowl sound healing & FAQ

WHAT IS SOUND HEALING?    

     Sound healing is a process of moving energy with vibrational sound. The sounds of the ancient Tibetan bowls bring the energy from your physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual bodies into alignment, allowing healing to occur. Tibetan bowl sound healing is proven to reduce mental and physical tension, anxiety, depression and increase spiritual well-being.[1]  

MENTAL & EMOTIONAL BENEFITS

         Sound is a powerful anchor into the present moment. Firstly, focusing attention on sound shifts energy away from mental chatter. Secondly, brain waves entrain with the harmonic frequencies of the Tibetan bowls within twenty minutes. Deep relaxation into the present moment is a result of brainwaves shifting from the normal waking state of Beta into the deep Theta, Alpha and Delta states (associated with deep hypnosis, meditation, deep relaxation and increased creativity). 

PHYSICAL BENEFITS

         Every organ and system in the body entrains or synchronizes to the vibrations of the Sacred bowls. It begins as sound enters the ears and vibrates the Vagus nerve. The Vagus nerve regulates the fight/flight mechanism. When the Vagus nerve is exposed to healing sounds of the Tibetan bowls, it signals the message of relaxation into every organ in the body. 

           In addition, the heart, brain and respiratory system fall into a state of coherence in the presence of healing sound. This process is known as cardiorespiratory synchronization. In other words, it’s when heart rate, brain and respiratory waves become synchronized. The resulting immune system activation allows illness and ‘dis’-ease to heal.

WHY DOES THE HUMAN BODY RESPOND SO WELL TO HEALING SOUND?

    Sound vibrations move easily through water. Therefore, The human organism is very responsive to sound vibrations because we are 70% water. When sound vibrations move through the body they touch each cell. The result is stimulated circulation, muscle relaxation and improvement of lymphatic flow. Moreover, stimulated red blood cells open the blood supply to organs throughout the body.

VIBRATIONAL SOUND HEALING & THE PHYSICAL BODY

         Sound vibrations effect cellular and molecular structure. For instance, the study of Cymatics, (the science of visualizing audio frequencies) demonstrates how the structure of water or sand becomes a specific geometric shape in the presence of sound. For example, if water is placed into a Tibetan singing bowl and the bowl is struck, the water will respond to that sound and create a sacred geometric pattern. Every single sound corresponds to a unique geometric pattern.

        At the atomic level, the molecules of our body (atoms and quarks) are moving in geometric patterns, just like the cells. Therefore, I think of illness or dis-ease as the energetic misalignment of molecules and cells within their natural or healthy range of vibration and frequency.  

HOW THE PHYSICAL BODY RESPONDS TO HEALING SOUND

         Our molecules and cells respond to the initiation of healing sound by returning to their natural state of healthy alignment. Vibrational sound reminds the cellular structure of its proper alignment in the universe. It reminds it of its proper geometric structure. When the body is exposed to healing sound, there is an energetic recognition. This results in energetic realignment. Every disharmonious or dissonant system in the body longs to return to homeostasis, to harmony (to health). Likewise, every dissonant chord in the universe tends towards harmony as well. 

          Furthermore, our energetic systems entrain with the sacred sounds of the bowls, which are rooted in the frequency of divine Perfection, also known as “OM”. Aligning with “OM” brings our body, mind and spirit in synch with universal energetic flow, producing feelings of spaciousness and bliss.

THE ISSUES ARE IN OUR TISSUES

         As the saying goes, ‘our issues are in our tissues.’ Therefore, in order to directly access the cellular memory of dis-ease in our tissues vibrational energy work is necessary to release energetic blockages. 

           Traditional talk therapy, as beneficial as it is, does not address energetic blockages living in the cellular tissues of the body. Healing sound is a powerful energy medicine creating the sacred space necessary to aid in the healing of issues that get stuck in tissues. Vibrational sound helps release energetic blockages such as chronic pain, trauma, stress disorders, depression and more.

SPIRITUAL BENEFITS

         Sound is the very first expression of consciousness. Before light, before matter, there was sound. Even the Bible says: “in the beginning was the Word”, which is none other than sound! Thus, when exposed to healing sound you are accessing the very first building block of creation. Your body, emotions and spirit recognize this. Your whole beingness responds to vibrational sound.

         In this modality, I use authenticated ancient (at least 100 years old) Himalayan bowls and instruments from Nepal, Tibet and Bhudan. Buddhist monks created the bowls in a ceremonial fashion. They shaped them by hand using seven metals whilst imbuing them with healing prayers and mantras.

THE HEALING POWER OF “OM” WITHIN THE TIBETAN BOWLS 

        These Sacred bowls produce the harmonic frequency of the Sanskrit mantra “Om” or “Aum.” This is the frequency of Perfection and is the primordial sound of creation. Fundamentally, the universe is made of vibrating, pulsating energy. Vibration creates sound.  OM is considered the sound produced by the original vibration from which the entire universe manifested. In other words, OM is the sound of vibration allowing energy to convert to matter.  Importantly, OM contains within it all the other vibrations of the universe. 

           Similarly, each note within the sounds of the Sacred bowls contain all the other notes within it. For example, one note contains the many and the many contain the one. This is the magic of the Sacred bowls and why they are known as wise teachers. The Sacred bowls impart the Buddhist teachings about interconnectedness and how nothing exists independently of anything else. 

      In conclusion, the healing harmonics produced by the Tibetan bowls are firmly grounded within the foundational vibration of Om. The resulting sympathetic resonance with the heart and mind realigns us with the natural joyful and blissful Self within. 

THE BENEFITS OF MY APPROACH TO HEALING 

         In addition to the vibrational healing sounds of the Tibetan bowls, I also offer energy balancing (gentle touch on meridian points), visualization/meditation and counseling to bring awareness and compassion to core beliefs and emotions. This approach is based in empowering you to realize your own inner wisdom so you may live with a sense of freedom and authenticity. 

          To heal, or become whole, often happens when we shift the relationship we have with ourself. In other words, healing happens when we start to shift from the tendency of self-aggression and self-abandonment towards compassionate attunement. It is the practice of befriending ourselves.  Cultivating patience, curiosity/openness, space, warmth, and empathy (and a bit of humor!) towards the Self.

         “Having compassion starts and ends with having compassion for all those unwanted parts of ourselves, all those imperfections that we don’t even want to look at. Without giving up hope- that there’s someone better to be, that there’s somewhere better to be- we will never relax with where we are or who we are.” Pema Chodoron

REFERENCES

1. Goldsby, Tamara. PhD, et al. “Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension and Well-Being: An Observational Study.” Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, v(22)3: 401-406