A meditation sound bowl, or a singing bowl, is a bell-shaped metal object that is played with a mallet to produce a continuous tone. These instruments are commonly used in therapy and meditation practice today, producing deep vibrations that are meant to help calm and center the mind.
The calming effect of sound healing is thought to be because of the way sound waves affect the body and brain. The sound of a singing bowl can stimulate binaural beats (or pulsating sounds that encourage brain waves to relax) and can cause the mind to fall into a trance-like state known as a theta wave.
There are several different kinds of sound bowls available, and you can choose one that best suits your needs. For example, you might opt for a crystal bowl, which has been shown to help amplify the healing power of sound.
You can also find a traditional bowl made from a combination of several different metal alloys. These often include bronze, copper, and iron.
When using a meditation sound bowl, it's important to hold the instrument correctly and make sure that the sound is not too loud. Loud or buzzing sounds can aggravate the mind and work against the relaxing effects of the bowl.
Meditation sound bowls are designed to be played with a mallet, but you can use your fingers or even your voice to create the soothing sounds. Some meditators prefer to play the bowl by running their finger around the rim. Other methods are to gently tap the bowl with a hand or to place their wrist on the rim.