Ashley Hunter
ECB Publishing, Inc.
On the evening of Thursday, Feb. 27, the Jefferson County R.J. Bailar Public Library hosted a special cultural presentation when certified sound healer Ramin Yazdanpanah visited the library in order to conduct a sound therapy program and informational session on various therapeutic musical instruments.
Yazdanpanah brought an assortment of music-makers with him, including a didgeridoo, gong and several Himalayan Singing Bowls.
The bowls were clearly the star of the show, with attendees learning more about the history of singing bowls as well as their reputed therapeutic and healing uses.
Many of the bowls Yazdanpanah brought with him for this presentation were between the ages of 75-250 years old; others were much newer – but each was individually unique.
When played, each bowl made its own unique vibrating sound; this sound is produced by gently striking the edge of the bowl with a soft mallet and then brushing the mallet around the edge of the bowl.
Much like the sound of a water-filled glass, the bowls will vibrate and make a melodious sound that can be “played” for relaxation.
Yazdanpanah also explained how, in the past, these bowls were household items that were musical instruments as well as dishes for food and eating. Because of that, many of the older bowls had inner wear and dents from use.
While called Himalayan Singing Bowls, Yazdanpanah explained that the bowls likely originated from Tibet and were used by Tibetan monks and lamas; for centuries, the bowls did not spread very far and were very rarely seen outside of Tibetan monasteries and homes.
When China invaded Tibet in the 19th century, refugees from the invasion brought their valued items – including the bowls – with them as they spread into other surrounding countries.
“They fled, and one thing they brought was the bowls,” explained Yazdanpanah, adding that the refugees were not able to bring very many things with them, which shows just how important and versatile these bowls were to the people who carried them. “They were limited in what they had, but they brought these bowls.”
As the refugees brought the bowls to surrounding Himalayan countries and other cultures learned about them, the bowls became known as “Himalayan Singing Bowls” rather than “Tibetan Singing Bowls.”
In the 1950s-1970s, when people from other parts of the world traveled to the Himalayan regions for healing and self-discovery, the bowls became more popular and began to spread throughout the world.
The bowls, Yazdanpanah says, became the marker of a “cultural crossroads.”
In addition to his history lesson, Yazdanpanah explained how the sound of the bowls being played can help reduce anxiety and tension, can sooth depressive states, lower blood pressure and aid those who have PTSD and austism.
The soothing sound of the bowl 'singing' (which is a hum-like sound similar to a church bell) can help relax people when playing it.
In his own experience, Yazdanpanah said the bowl's sound produced a “burning away” of his stress and anxiety.
While the bowls are commonly used for relaxation, Yazdanpanah was quick to add that the bowls should not be used to replace modern medicine either, but can be used in combination with doctor-approved medicines and therapies.
“We should do whatever it takes to allow our bodies to heal,” Yazdanpanah stated. “Sometimes, telling our bodies to relax will help our bodies heal.”
Ramin Yazdanpanah visited the Jefferson County R.J. Bailar Public Library from Crystal Portal in Tallahassee.
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