Tibetan Bells - Himalayan Singing Bowls

What are Tibetan Temple Bells or Himalayan Singing Bowls?

Lore of the Bells

In modern times these sacred bowls have been most closely associated with Tibetan Buddhism. But they were first used in the earlier shamanic Bon religion of Tibet, and predate the arrival of Buddhism in that country by perhaps a thousand years. They seem to have served many different functions within the temples, from simple puja (offering of food to the gods) to dhyanam (meditation). They were in more-or-less continuous production from ancient times, up until the Chinese occupation of the region during the 1950s, and the eventual flight of the Dalai Lama in 1959.


Production & Reproduction

Tibetan Bells are highly regarded for their enchanting sound effects, and those with the best tonalities were produced from a seven-metal alloy composed of gold, silver, nickel, copper, zinc, antimony and a particular meteoric iron, found on the high Tibetan Plateau. Because it fell from the heavens, this "sky metal" was associated with the sacred Dorje, or thunderbolt of the gods (vajra in Sanskrit) and was held in high esteem by traditional Tibetan metallurgists.

The exact method of the bells' construction seems to have been lost sometime during the twentieth century, perhaps due to the displacement of so many Tibetan craftsmen and monks during the recent diaspora. However, similar bowls are currently being reproduced in Nepal, primarily for Western consumption. In many cases, the elements antimony, zinc, and nickel have been replaced by mercury, tin and lead.

These recent replicas are distinguished from the originals by their lighter, more silvery color, and by their somewhat reduced tonal structure. Nevertheless, they represent for many the only hope of securing such spiritual tools in the twenty-first century.


Sounds of the Void

Our present set of original antique Tibetan temple bowls has been acquired slowly, over more than a decade of dedicated searching. Collectively, these bells produce a tremendous range of enchanting sounds, with many subtle shades of tonality that linger in the air... and in the mind... long after the bells themselves have been sounded.

Their delicate harmonies seem to synchronize left- and right-brain functioning, causing an almost immediate cessation of discursive thought, which propels one rapidly into a deeply intuitive meditation state of Nadam... the sound of inner silence.

So profound is this experience, that the late Karma-pa Lama Rimpoche has been quoted as saying that Tibetan bells produce "the sound of the Void." And from our own experience over the past sixteen years, as well as from the response of hundreds of people for whom these bells have tolled, we would certainly have to agree.

These instruments were arduously handcrafted hundreds, and perhaps thousands of years ago for ritual and spiritual purposes. Today we still support these sacred traditions in our use of the bowls for centering and meditation (dharana and dhyanam ), for chakra balancing (padmah samyama ), and for other pranic healing or energy work. The methods we employ are based on ancient yogic texts, on the teachings of our instructors from both modern and traditional schools of thought, from our own inner guidance, and from our prolonged working with the bells themselves.

How do we use the Tibetan Bells in our work?

Power of the Bells

Use the power of the Tibetan bells in almost everything you do (in concert with Yoga, Huna, Neuro-Linguistics and other modalities) to help people experience everything from simple relaxation... through deep meditation... to making powerful and profound changes in their personal lives. Here are just a few examples of what is possible.


Ceremony of the Heart

This program presents the Tibetan bells, and other sound devices for meditation and relaxation, in a small-group concert format. Truly enchanting!


Sound & Silence

In this spiritual setting, Tibetan singing bowls guide participants into progressively deeper levels of meditation and intuition. A very profound learning experience!


Karma & Chakra Workshops

Chakra Awareness
Chakra Balancing
Advanced Chakra Yoga
Karmic Clearing


Yoga Therapy

Yoga Therapy can be centered around the healing vibrations of the Tibetan bells, advanced applications of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), and direct Energy Work.