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Candles, bowls and altars
How do you use a Tibetan singing bowl?
Short answer: Rest the bowl on your flat palm or a cushion, tap the outer side once with the mallet to make it ring, then press the mallet against the outside rim and circle it slowly and steadily. After a few turns the bowl starts to 'sing' with a continuous tone.
Step by step
- Hold the bowl on your flat palm or a ring cushion; don't grip the sides, as that dampens the sound.
- Hold the mallet like a pen, near the bottom.
- Strike the side gently to start a vibration.
- Press the mallet's wooden or suede edge against the outer rim and circle at an even speed.
- Keep pressure steady; if it rattles, slow down or press a little harder.
Choosing a bowl
Smaller bowls (8–12cm) give higher, brighter notes and suit travel; larger bowls (15cm+) give deeper, longer tones. Hand-hammered bowls have richer overtones; machine-made bowls are more even and affordable.
Ways people use them
As a start and end signal for meditation or yoga, to 'sound cleanse' a room or crystals, or simply to take a calm minute. We describe this as tradition and relaxation, not sound therapy or a health treatment.
Related from the shop
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More questions
Why does my singing bowl rattle?
The mallet is bouncing on the rim. Slow down, press more firmly, or use the suede-wrapped end.
Can you put water in a singing bowl?
A little water changes the pitch and can make ripples dance. Dry it afterwards so metal doesn't tarnish.
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