SOUNDING A NOTE INTO THE UNIVERSE

Hearing the haunting sound of the crystal bowls seems to awaken an ancient remembering, touching the essence of the soul. How can we explain what it is? Is it the crystal from which the bowls are made? Is it a refrain from the ethers? Is it our connection with the source of our creation?

Let’s explore a few questions. Undoubtedly, more questions will arise for you, inspiring you into your own study of sound and vibrational healing.

What is sound healing?

When an organ or body part is healthy, it creates a natural resonant frequency in harmony with the rest of the body. When the vibration of a part of the body is out of harmony, we have dis-ease. With dis-ease, a different sound pattern is established in the affected part of the body. When sound is projected into the dis-eased area, correct harmonic patterns are restored.

There are many methods of healing with sound. Mantras and chants have been used for thousands of years. Many acoustic instruments are used in a variety of ways to effect change. The human voice is perhaps the most powerful musical instrument.

Fabien Maman, in his book The Role of Music in the Twenty-First Century, gives dramatic accounts of the effects of sound on cancer cells, using various acoustic instruments and notes, as well as the human voice. He has incorporated the use of sound, color and movement in his work, addressing the subtle bodies, where dis-ease is created.

What are crystal bowls?

Crystal bowls are made from 99.992% pure crushed quartz and heated to about 4000 degrees in a centrifugal mold.

They are available in clear or frosted bowls in a variety of sizes, ranging from 6 to 24 inches in diameter. The bowls emit a powerful, pure resonance. The larger bowls are much more reverberant, with the tone lingering longer, simply because of the size and amount of crystal. The clear bowls, somewhat more expensive, are more readily available in smaller sizes.

The size of the bowl does not necessarily determine its note, although the larger bowls sound lower octaves and notes. Each bowl is tested with digital technology to identify its sound. One will have a sense of which tone "feels" most congruent with individual needs or desires. The notes, C, D, E, F, G, A, B correspond with one’s energy centers or chakras.

Some bowls harmonize with other bowls, and when both are played simultaneously, the effect is exquisite and synergistic.

How to use crystal bowls

One should "clear" the bowl, using whatever methods are used for clearing other crystals.

An invocation at the beginning of a session helps create sacred space and affirms intention.

Using the bowls in combination with voice or other instruments is dynamic and very effective

Fabien Maman, in Healing With Sound, Color and Movement, p. 69 suggests setting up the bowls in harmonic fifths for healing in the subtle bodies as illustrated below:

Renee Brodie, who uses crystal bowls and color therapy in her healing practice, is the author of the book The Healing Tones of Crystal Bowls, 1996. She has studied exhaustively and makes reference to the history as well as the leading research in sound and color therapy. She offers several suggestions on using crystal bowls. She has also created a CD and audiotape entitled The Healing Tones of Crystal Bowls: A Journey Through The Chakras To Heal Yourself With Sound and Colour. She offers many suggestions for uses of the bowls.

Rubber-ball mallets or suede-covered wands are used to sound the bowls. The effect of each is different, and personal preference will determine the choice.

One should strike the outside of the bowl, in an upright position, giving about half the length of the wand to the bowl surface near the top rim, then "follow the sound around the bowl, " with the wand or mallet, enhancing the duration and loudness of the tone.

Each practitioner has a unique style of sounding the bowls. Some will move the wand or mallet clockwise for specific intentions, while others prefer a counter-clockwise motion, or a combination.

PRECAUTIONS:

No medical claims are made about the use of crystal bowls to replace the need for medical advice.

If you experience any health problems you should always consult your regular physician.

Do not place a person’s head inside a crystal bowl while playing it.

Do not strike or play bowl too loudly, especially near a person’s head.

Place bowls at least 12 inches apart, or the vibration may shatter a bowl.

Bowls may also shatter if several are playing in a small room.

Some have noted discomfort or pain if they have metal pins or stainless steel balljoints. Ask before sounding the bowl.

"Let us …remember that although to all outward appearances, music seems to be over as soon as the last chord has sounded and the celebrants have dispersed, this is not the case. It has also been created on a subtle plane and remains like an exquisite flower hovering over the sanctuary. No musical vibrations are ever lost, even though they are dispersed, they will go on vibrating through the cosmos for eternity, because the subtle effects of sound linger after the audible sound has died out, so that any results are long-lasting." The Healing Tones of Crystal Bowls, Renee Brodie.