Nada Brahma – The World is Sound
Whether we know it or not, sounds have a major effect on us. They influence our bodies, our moods, our energy, and our sense of well-being more than we realize.
Consider the following examples:
- In stressful situations, we listen to classical or meditative music to calm down and relax.
- We choose upbeat music to party and celebrate.
- Aggressive music can be used to generate excitement.
In a film or TV show, sounds and rhythms instantly create moods such as love, passion, grief, or fear.
The awareness of how deeply sound affects us has existed across cultures for centuries and is reflected in singing bowls history, where sound has long been used as a tool for balance, meditation, and healing.
Everything Strives for Harmony
Dating back 5,000 years, people in Nepal believe that humans who vibrate harmoniously are healthy. If unpleasant sounds creep in, that person will lose balance and harmony and fall ill. The belief is that when sick, a person who listens to harmonious sounds will readily absorb these sounds, become centered, and will start to heal.
In the Royal city of Bhaktapur, the sounds are of such importance that special temples have been erected and devoted to the deities of music, with the specific purpose of watching over the order of sounds to make sure that no discordant tones disturb the harmony of the town.
Only a musician who has proven himself to the music god of Nasadjo is permitted to play the healing sounds during the festivals that are held, in order to keep the town’s people healthy.
Singing bowls contain the sounds of the celestial, making them especially suited for the purpose of centering and harmonizing. Their specific sound is intended to bring inner clarity.
Origin of Singing Bowls
When asking where did singing bowls originate, the story takes us to the Eastern cultures of Japan, China, Thailand, and especially the Himalayan region. The singing bowl origin is deeply rooted in daily life as well as spiritual practice.
In the earliest times, the bowls that would later be recognized as singing bowls served a purely functional role as food containers. Cooked food and water were believed to be enriched by the minerals of the bowls they were stored in. This way, nourishment and the subtle vibrations of the metals transmitted through food and drink were thought to support good health – an ancient version of daily vitamins.
The number of metals used in forging a bowl often depended on the religious influence of the region. Over time, as society and religion evolved and medical practices advanced, these metal bowls lost their everyday importance. Cheaper metals, plastic dishes, and modern health supplements gradually replaced them.
This decline, along with the end of traditional singing bowl production and the loss of knowledge surrounding it, coincided with the Chinese invasion of Tibet.
Peter Hess® Sound Massage
Peter Hess began his career as an engineer, but his life-long interest in teaching and psychology led him to India and Nepal, where he studied untraditional forms of healing and researched the effects of sounds on the mind and body.
Through his work with singing bowls, Peter developed the Peter Hess® Sound Massage and other sound methods that are structured to create a consistent offer of relaxation.
It is the softness of the sounds that allows you to experience the pure effect of the singing bowls on your body.
The Peter Hess® Singing Bowls are produced specifically for this purpose.
Materials & Sound
Singing bowls are manufactured with different metals, usually between five and twelve.
The combination of metals determines the quality of vibration and the sound of a bowl. Bowls that were produced according to the old craftsmanship usually have the best sound.
Singing bowls are offered in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and tonal gradations.
The sound depends on form, material, and strength of the rim. To elicit a sound from the singing bowl, one has to tap, strike, or rub it. Typically the bowl is played with a mallet.
