My tryst with singing bowls

I have 3 extra days in Kathmandu as the rains forced me to do the shorter Gosai Kund trek. I send enquiries for various activities I could join after completing the trek. Nothing was off limits; meditation, thangka painting, crystal healing, singing bowls, yoga etc. etc. Finally, I joined the only activity that fit my schedule; 3-day Singing bowl lessons.

Day 1: Most of the singing bowl classes are conducted at Thamel, the tourist heartland of Kathmandu, but Harati Sound and Serenity is located near Swayambhu monastery. The classes are from 8:30 AM - 5:30 PM each day, from 05 - 07 June-25. After an early breakfast, I took a bike taxi from Boudha by 7:30 AM. It took me 45 minutes to get there. 

I reach a quiet relatively-new residential area with corn growing in few the empty plots. I got off the bike taxi and walked to a 3 storied house with a large gate. A young man opened the gate and led me to the studio on the ground floor. He told me to wait and went away. It’s a large inviting room with brass singing bowls nicely arranged on the floor. There are bells, gongs and a few other things that I can’t identify in the room. 

The young man returned, a short while later, and introduced himself as my teacher. The 3-day programme is generally conducted once a month. Normally, a batch has 4-5 students, but I’m the only one this time. After a brief introduction, my guru started off by asking why I chose to learn singing bowls and what I expected from the class. I told him about my Gosai Kund trek and the 3 extra days that I had to kill. With a sheepish smile, I confessed that I was clueless about singing bowls and that I had never heard the term ‘sound therapy’ before. Singing bowls are a staple of every souvenir shops in Nepal. Yet, in my 20 years of travels to Nepal, never did I try them out even once!

My tutor was puzzled and bemused at my ignorance of Singing Bowls and Sound therapy in general. My Guru learned this craft from his dad. Later, he would tell me that he conducts classes all over the world. Even though I came to this class quite by chance, people in the know seek out his genuine classes; unlike the “touristic” versions taught in Thamel. He assured me that I would not regret my choice. At the end of 3 days, I realised that he was right. 

We started off with an introduction to the bowls. The professional quality singing bowls at the studio are quite different breed from those sold at the souvenir shops. My guru played some soothing tones as a demo and then the lessons began. After the first lessons, my guru handed over a bowl to me. The music I made even made my guru comment, “I can’t believe it’s the first time you are playing a singing bowl!” I’m impressed with myself.

Around 11:30, my Guru’s dad, the original founder of the studio, joined us. Having passed on the baton to his son, he leads a semi-retired life. He lives in the same building and helps out when required. He was extremely friendly and told me about his life. 

He owned a shop selling souvenirs and singing bowls to tourists. A chance meeting with a traveler in the early ’90s changed his life. This traveler, who was an expert in singing bowls and sound therapy, had honed his skill at a monastery in Ladakh, India. He was not too keen to take the plunge as his souvenir shop was making decent money. But the positive changes he saw in his clients convinced him to take up sound therapy a full time profession. Father and son continue to sell singing bowls online, but I’m not sure if they have a physical shop.

Lunch was included in the course fees. I’m invited into the 3rd floor of the house to have lunch with the family! I felt less like a student and more like a welcomed guest. After a 30 min break, the classes continued. 

The classes got over by 5:45 PM. My guru hailed a bike taxi for me and I’m back at Boudha by 7:30 PM. It’s been a long day. After dinner I circumabulated the Boudha stupa a few times and retired to bed. 

Day 2: I reached my classes by 8:20 AM. Began the day by revising yesterday’s lessons. The sound, tone and vibrations produced by a bowl depends on the material, shape, size and design of the bowl. Bronze bowls are prized for their sound quality and durability. A well-made bronze bowl can last a lifetime.

My tutor told me that the term “Tibetan Singing Bowls” is a misnomer. In times gone by, singing bowls were associated with Nepal and the Indian states of West Bengal and Manipur. In fact, there is a class of singing bowls called as Manipura bowls, that originate from Manipur. He believed that the modern term “Tibetan Singing Bowls” was coined because the west is fascinated with Tibet and its culture. While conducting sound bathing or singing bowls sessions, my guru prefers to use the term ‘sound therapy’ as it avoids the air of mysticism associated with the term ‘sound healing’. He told me; “it’s all frequencies and harmonics”.

For lunch, its rice and tender bamboo shoot curry. It’s my first time eating it bamboo shoots and I enjoyed it. After the customary 30-minute break, the classes resumed. 

The dad joined us an hour later. He told me to lay down and carefully placed the bowls around and on my body. He did a full session so that I could experience the effects of the vibrations first-hand. I got up relaxed and feeling wonderful. He explained that if there are two or more students, they practice on each other. Since I’m alone, the maestro did it on me. A personalised session like this in Thamel, probably lasting a bit longer, will cost cost me approx. $75-100! Then my Guru swapped placed with me. It was my turn to hone the skills on my guru. This session lasted about an hour. 

The classes continued. My Guru was so engrossed in teaching that the classes stretched on until on till 6:30 PM. It would have continued longer if I had not dropped a few not-so-subtle hints to wrap things up. I feel sorry that a dedicated and passionate teacher like him like him has to put up with bad students. 

I had plans of exploring Thamel in the evening, but I’m tired. I returned to Boudha, grabbed dinner and went to sleep. 

Day 3: Today is the last day of my classes. I left Boudha by 7:40 on a bike taxi. By day 3, me and guru are friends. This is the one of advantages of being the only student in the class. Started the day by revising what all I (should have) learned. This was followed by a few music and Chakra cleansing lessons. 

I asked him about the instruments in the room and my guru demonstrated it for the me. There was a wonderful collection of wind chimes, big gongs and an instrument that sounded like a waterfall. What fascinated me the most was a circular instrument produced the sound of waves in an ocean. The sound it produced was so true that when I closed my eyes, I felt that I’m sailing in the ocean. And I know the oceans better than most!

My Guru’s dad, with his 30+ years of experience, told me that singing bowls can be practiced on anyone; except those suffering from Schizophrenia, epilepsy or fits. People react differently to the vibrations and music from the singing bowls. People falling asleep is quite common. Some cry; apparently this is more common among women than men. Some experience shivers while other emerge relaxed, renewed and rejuvenated. And of course, a few people walk out of the session thinking that it was a total waste of time and money! 

Classes wrapped up by 3:30 PM.  I told my Guru that I would like to buy some bowls. My guru took me on his bike to his old house. The old house has become a like a warehouse for their online business. He relocated to the new house, where I attended the classes, just a few years ago. Since the professional quality singing bowls are expensive, I settled for 2 pieces; not the full set. If my interest keeps up, I will invest in a full set. I selected 2 bowls and he generously threw in a Tin-Sha bell for free.

We ended the day at a nearby coffee shop. Over coffee, he told me that I am his first ever Indian student. My guru also confessed that on the very first day, he thought that I wouldn’t make it to the end of the course! But I did wonder what made him feel that way since quitting was never on my mind. But we had a good laugh over it.

I can't believe that I am a certified sound healer! What began as a way to kill the 3 extra days in Kathmandu unfolded into something far deeper and enjoyable. It’s as it I have entered a new realm; one that I never knew existed! A dedicated Guru like him can make all the difference, I suppose.