Tibetan Singing Bowls

History of the Tibetan Singing Bowls

I tend to avoid specific dating these types of bowls. Some of these bowls date back to the late 18th century. Dating bowls is a tricky business, since their form varies but little over long expanses of time and their condition depends so much upon individual conditions of storage and use. They should be viewed as cultural artifacts of artistic merit, and viewed this way, age is of but secondary importance.

My bowls are all from the Himalayas regions near Tibet. These Tibetan hand hammered singing bowls are up to 250 years old and comes unpolished in their original form with superb hammer marks visible and a great smooth patina. They have been used in Tibetan Buddhist mediation over the years. Each bowl is hand selected for its tone, size, and quality. They have wonderful tones that carry for a very long time. The multi-layered tone of these bowls lasts as long as 3 minutes!

The Singing Bowls are made from Bronze, and is technically a bell because there is ‘less’ internal movement in the metal in the middle, rather than the edge; so in theory they are a standing bell. Singing bowls however, find a general use as a resting Gong in Temples throughout Asia. They did not solely originate in Tibet, and evidence suggests very few were actually made in Tibet; so a Tibetan Singing Bowl only denotes a name, and not a country of origination. Their use as a sound therapy tool originated in the West, which has been adopted in the Himalayan regions in order to sell them to uninformed buyers.

Since Tibetan singing bowls have a very mysterious history it is sometimes hard to find information about them, in fact there is literally no mention of them in the Tibetan Buddhist canon. They can be found in both monasteries and homes, but when questioned about there existence vague answers are usually given. It has been rumored that it is actually forbidden for monks to speak about the singing bowls. Some say that the bowls are used by high lamas in secret rituals, which gives them the ability to travel to different realms and dimensions. In the end one thing remains certain, that singing bowls are a very powerful spiritual tool.

In addition to their traditional usage for meditation, Tibetan Singing Bowls are used for Relaxation, Stress Reduction, Healing, and Reiki. The bowls are priced based on weight, size, and condition. The larger or heavier the bowl, the higher the price. Also, please note that all of these bowls are left in their original imported condition. Each bowl includes all 7 metals, is hand hammered, very old, and only made with native metals of the Himalayas.

How to Play Bowls

Hold the bowl in the palm of either hand. With the striker, rub the outside rim in a circular motion. Keep an even pressure. Gently increase the speed as the bowl begins to vibrate, and as the sound grows. It may help to tap the bowl to begin the vibration. Sometimes this method can take practice. Another method is “gonging” or “striking” the bowls. This is a simple method that involves striking the bowl with a wood or padded striker. I do have additional padded tools available.

Benefits of a Singing bowl session:

  1. Significant stress and anxiety reduction
  2. Anger and blood pressure reduction
  3. Improves circulation and increases blood flow
  4. Deep relaxation and pain relief
  5. Chakra balancing
  6. Increased mental and emotional clarity
  7. Promotes stillness, happiness and well being

The most powerful healing is done from within!

I've been with Everitt for 7 years. I tell people I would not be walking if it weren't for his Chair Yoga classes. They keep me limber, mobile and out of pain. I have been hit by a truck twice and have had multiple surgeries to put my body back together. In addition, I an a Cancer survivor. Any one of these challenges would be enough to send me to Everitt for healing, but when you add arthritis to the mix, well, I just knew I had to do something.

Sometimes it is a challenge to just get to class but it is always healing. And lately I have added a Sound Healing session to the mix. My orthopedic surgeon is extremely impressed with my progress. He said that someone who has had a reverse shoulder replacement usually can't do some of the things I can do. I credit Everitt with this.

~Rabbi Raine Teller of Austin, Texas

Due to nerve damage, I had to have neck surgery and have been in recovery for over a year. I find that sound therapy stimulates my nerves and gives me a sense of peace and calm while energizing me. I love my sessions with Everitt. He's an expert with his bowls and gongs and his energy is so positive and loving. Very healing.

~ Martha Snell

I met Everitt at his restorative yoga class. I loved how he incorporated bowls and gong in his classes so I took it a step further and get regular sound healing sessions. Everitt's sessions are an hour of deep relaxation and calming for the body and mind. My energy shifts in ways I can't predict and I leave feeling lighter and brighter in spirit. It's unlike any other modality I've tried for healing. I highly recommend Everitt's sound therapy!

~ Pam

I'd like to write a heartfelt recommendation for the sound healing work of my friend and yoga teacher/healing bowls master extraordinaire, Everitt Allen. I had a session with him last week and it was relaxing, inspiring and deeply resonant. It's obvious that Everitt has a great connection with this work and with his clients and is able to taylor each session for that particular client's needs and their current level of development. He has created a beautiful space for his work and I could feel myself relaxing just walking into the room. As a musician, I seek out anything that connects me to sound current and I always appreciate practices that quiet my very active mind, even for a little while. This definitely does that. If you want to feel calm, balanced and in touch with yourself, definitely go see Everitt!

~ Prahu Prakash Kalsa

Please take value in the fact that I am an ALS patient with no ability to walk, and very limited mobility in my upper body. I have been practicing yoga since before I was diagnosed, over 2 years now. I have experienced incredible results. However, I am astonished by the innovation that Everitt provides. The session we had together had a spectacular effect on me. I was moved. I felt deeply and profoundly present without any regard for past or future.

~ Richard Sanders

I love:
Comfort of own home and chosen time. No drive time. Ability to just go to sleep after. Private session. No outside disturbances such as people coming in late, snoring, etc. No COVID risk

Dialing in Zoom is easy. I prefer that to wi-fi as it seems to be a more stable connection. Using earbuds (I have nice ones makes a difference) and works well for me.

Everitt has the microphones set up to carry most of the sound very well. I find the flute carries particularly well. I wondered how it would be without feeling the vibrations as I did in person, but it has been wonderful and I feel restored after each session.