How To Meditate Using Meditation Gongs
By Isis James
Meditation has many benefits including better emotional well-being, stress relief, and deepening your spiritual connection. Meditation gongs or singing bowls are an excellent tool to use in your meditation practice, as their music provides an excellent point of focus. Using gongs or singing bowls for meditation is a simple, easy process.
First, find a calm, comfortable environment where you can be alone for as long as you plan on meditating. Make sure that you are seated comfortably in a chair or if you choose, place soft pillows on the floor and sit on them with your legs crossed. If you are in a chair, it is best for your feet to be shoulder-width apart and flat on the floor. To create an ambience that suits you, you may choose to light candles or burn incense.
Take deep, rhythmic breaths. Relaxed breathing is essential to creating a relaxed, focused state of mind when you are meditation.
Before playing your gong, you can try meditating for compassion. To do this, imagine light and love filling you and your immediate surroundings, including your singing bowl if you have one, with love and light. When you have imagined your immediate surroundings filled with love, visualize this love overflowing out to the rest of the world and all its inhabitants.
After you have attained the proper state of mind, whether through the compassion meditation or simply through deep breathing by itself, you can simply strike the gong or play your singing bowl and single-mindedly use the resonating sounds as a point of focus. Anytime your mind wanders off the sound, gently bring your attention and awareness back. You can also sing along with your bowl to make it a more fun and interesting practice.
If you would rather not playing your meditate gong all throughout your meditation session, you can simply play it once at the beginning of your session and once at the end to formally mark and ritualize your meditation time.
When you are ready to stop meditation, calmly and quietly stop playing your bowl and continue with the rest of your day. Try your best to maintain your sense of inner peace and centeredness even when you are not actively meditating.
For best results, dedicate time daily to meditating with your gong as this will train your mind to stay centered, as well as providing a soothing effect on your mind and body through the sounds produced by your meditation gongs.
Visit my site to learn more about how to use meditation gongs, more information about meditation gongs, tibetan singing bowls, quartz crystal singing bowls and more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isis_James
http://EzineArticles.com/?How-To-Meditate-Using-Meditation-Gongs&id=5575295
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
What Everyone Needs To Know About Meditation Gongs
What Everyone Needs To Know About Meditation Gongs
By Isis James
Meditation gongs are an exotic and little-understood instrument for some of us in Western culture. This instrument has been in use since ancient times for several different functions. Meditation gongs have an interesting and varied history and are a unique type of instrument.
Types
Meditation gongs come in two types - suspended gongs and singing bowls. The suspended gong is what people would normally thing of when they hear the word "gong" - they consist of a round piece of metal suspended between two poles. Singing bowls, on the other hand, are a special type of gong. They are bowl-shaped and produce sound by running a special mallet around the rim, or by simply being stroked. Both types of gongs are usually made of copper, bronze, and other common metals.
History
These instruments have been in use since ancient times in Tibet, China, Japan, Nepal, and other Asian regions, as early as 2000 B.C.E. Their religious use dates back to pre-Buddhist Shamanism, and then was gradually adopted and popularized by Tibetan and Zen Buddhists for meditative practices. Today, a wide variety of people, not just Buddhists, use these gongs for cultural and spiritual practice, and they have gotten quite popular use in the New Age Movement.
Uses
There are many uses for meditation gongs, but here are just a few. They can be used by both groups and individuals for their meditation practice. Some use them to ritually mark the start and end of their meditation session, while others meditate on the sound of the gong itself. They can also be used for sound healing practices, where the sound and vibrations of the gong are believed to correct imbalances in the body and mind. This is commonly known as a "gong bath." Meditation gongs have also been used in yoga to induce feelings of well-being and relaxation while practicing.
Visit my site to learn more about meditation gongs, tibetan singing bowls, quartz crystal singing bowls, and more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isis_James
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Everyone-Needs-To-Know-About-Meditation-Gongs&id=5595946
By Isis James
Meditation gongs are an exotic and little-understood instrument for some of us in Western culture. This instrument has been in use since ancient times for several different functions. Meditation gongs have an interesting and varied history and are a unique type of instrument.
Types
Meditation gongs come in two types - suspended gongs and singing bowls. The suspended gong is what people would normally thing of when they hear the word "gong" - they consist of a round piece of metal suspended between two poles. Singing bowls, on the other hand, are a special type of gong. They are bowl-shaped and produce sound by running a special mallet around the rim, or by simply being stroked. Both types of gongs are usually made of copper, bronze, and other common metals.
History
These instruments have been in use since ancient times in Tibet, China, Japan, Nepal, and other Asian regions, as early as 2000 B.C.E. Their religious use dates back to pre-Buddhist Shamanism, and then was gradually adopted and popularized by Tibetan and Zen Buddhists for meditative practices. Today, a wide variety of people, not just Buddhists, use these gongs for cultural and spiritual practice, and they have gotten quite popular use in the New Age Movement.
Uses
There are many uses for meditation gongs, but here are just a few. They can be used by both groups and individuals for their meditation practice. Some use them to ritually mark the start and end of their meditation session, while others meditate on the sound of the gong itself. They can also be used for sound healing practices, where the sound and vibrations of the gong are believed to correct imbalances in the body and mind. This is commonly known as a "gong bath." Meditation gongs have also been used in yoga to induce feelings of well-being and relaxation while practicing.
Visit my site to learn more about meditation gongs, tibetan singing bowls, quartz crystal singing bowls, and more.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isis_James
http://EzineArticles.com/?What-Everyone-Needs-To-Know-About-Meditation-Gongs&id=5595946
Three Ways To Use Meditation Gongs
How to Use Your Meditation Gong for Spiritual Purposes
By Isis James
Meditation gongs are a tool that have been used for centuries for spiritual and healing purposes. Today, due to the relative ease of obtaining one and the convenient size of some of them, they can be used for many different spiritual tasks. Read on to find out three simple and easy ways to use these gongs.
Meditation and Relaxation
Probably the most common use for these gongs, the sound of these instruments activate alpha and theta wave activity in the brain, making them the ideal tool for inducing deep states of meditation, relaxation, and awareness. You can choose to play your meditation gong for a few minutes before rushing off to complete the rest of your probably harried day, or make a larger commitment by devoting a specific extended amount of time daily to a serious meditation practice involving your gongs.
Setting and Manifesting Intentions
Singing bowls can also be used for ritual purposes in setting and manifesting wishes or intentions. Simply write down whatever it is that you wish to manifest on a piece of paper and place it inside the singing bowl. Proceed to play or strike the bowl. This method is said you charge your intention with powerful vibrations and emotions, making it more likely that your wish will come true.
Cleansing And Purifying Crystals
For people who use crystals in their spiritual practice to balance and heal their energy, these crystals need to be purified and cleansed occasionally to maintain their effectiveness. Meditation gongs can easily be used for this purpose. Simply place your crystals directly in front of the bowl, or for more effect, sit them in a bowl filled with warm salt water in front of your meditation gong. Then, play your instrument with the intention of purifying your crystals. The music combined with your intention will clear all negative energies out of your crystals.
These are only a few ways to use meditation gongs in your spiritual practice, and with some creativity, you will surely be able to come up with many more.
Visit my site to learn more about how to use meditation gongs and more information about meditation gongs and tibetan singing bowls.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isis_James
http://EzineArticles.com/?Three-Ways-To-Use-Meditation-Gongs&id=5639187
By Isis James
Meditation gongs are a tool that have been used for centuries for spiritual and healing purposes. Today, due to the relative ease of obtaining one and the convenient size of some of them, they can be used for many different spiritual tasks. Read on to find out three simple and easy ways to use these gongs.
Meditation and Relaxation
Probably the most common use for these gongs, the sound of these instruments activate alpha and theta wave activity in the brain, making them the ideal tool for inducing deep states of meditation, relaxation, and awareness. You can choose to play your meditation gong for a few minutes before rushing off to complete the rest of your probably harried day, or make a larger commitment by devoting a specific extended amount of time daily to a serious meditation practice involving your gongs.
Setting and Manifesting Intentions
Singing bowls can also be used for ritual purposes in setting and manifesting wishes or intentions. Simply write down whatever it is that you wish to manifest on a piece of paper and place it inside the singing bowl. Proceed to play or strike the bowl. This method is said you charge your intention with powerful vibrations and emotions, making it more likely that your wish will come true.
Cleansing And Purifying Crystals
For people who use crystals in their spiritual practice to balance and heal their energy, these crystals need to be purified and cleansed occasionally to maintain their effectiveness. Meditation gongs can easily be used for this purpose. Simply place your crystals directly in front of the bowl, or for more effect, sit them in a bowl filled with warm salt water in front of your meditation gong. Then, play your instrument with the intention of purifying your crystals. The music combined with your intention will clear all negative energies out of your crystals.
These are only a few ways to use meditation gongs in your spiritual practice, and with some creativity, you will surely be able to come up with many more.
Visit my site to learn more about how to use meditation gongs and more information about meditation gongs and tibetan singing bowls.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isis_James
http://EzineArticles.com/?Three-Ways-To-Use-Meditation-Gongs&id=5639187
Buying Meditation Bells, Singing Bowls and Gongs - A Comparison Shopping Guide
Buying Meditation Bells, Singing Bowls and Gongs - A Comparison Shopping Guide
By Isis James
When you are looking to buy meditation bells for your practice, there are many different kinds for you to choose from. The selection includes meditation gongs, ring gongs, singing bowls, bell and dorjes, or tibetan tingshas. Here is a complete comparison guide to navigating the world of meditation gongs, bowls, and bells so that you can buy the best meditation bell suited to your needs. In Part I, we will explore the difference between suspended meditation gongs and singing bowls.
Suspended Meditation Gong
This type of gong has been used since ancient times for spiritual and ceremonial practice, as is what most people think of when they hear the word "gong." It looks like a flat, metal disc vertically suspended between two cords. These types of gongs tend to be larger and are suited for areas with wide spaces, like a temple or an outdoor garden. They aren't commonly seen in homes, however, there are some that are table-top sized for convenient personal use.
Singing Bowls
Singing bowls are a unique type of meditation bell, and confusingly, can also be referred to as meditation gongs. The Japanese rin gong falls under this category. Literally shaped like a bowl and played with a mallet or striker, they are the most capable of producing varied and complex sounds. You can play the bowl either by simply striking it, or by running the mallet around the edge of the bowl, which is what produces the complex harmonics.
Sizes of singing bowls vary, and can range from about a 4-5 inch diameter all the way up to 12+ inches. Keep in mind that the tone of a singing bowl deepens as the size gets larger. Both modern singing bowls and antiques are available on the market, with the antiques being more expensive but generally of higher quality and better sound. This type of meditation bell is perfect for extended use, as you can easily get lost in playing a singing bowl for hours at a time.
Bell and Dorje
A bell and dorje is a classic bell type instrument and is used extensively in Tibetan Buddhism. Traditionally the actual bell is held in the left hand and represents the feminine principle, while the dorje is held in the right hand and represents the masculine principle. The bell and djorje can be used in many ways. Sound the bells to call the presence of Buddha, to clear the mind and dispel stress or tension, as a visualization aid or as a way to request or summon protection. These bells average about 5-8 inches high.
Tibetan Tingshas
Tingshas consist of two cymbals attached to each other with a leather cord. Like the bell and dorje, they are widely used for ritual purposes in Tibetan Buddhism. They typically produce a clear, high-pitched and long ringing tone. High quality antique tingshas will have both cymbals producing the exact same sound, but due to modern manufacturing, it is more common for the sound of each cymbal in the pair to differ from the other. They are very small, usually about 2-4 inches in diameter, and are great for portability. They go very well in combination with singing bowls as an aid in meditation as well as sound healing.
Visit my site to learn more about information about buying meditation gongs and singing bowls and even more about meditation gongs, bells, chimes, and bowls.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isis_James
http://EzineArticles.com/?Buying-Meditation-Bells,-Singing-Bowls-and-Gongs---A-Comparison-Shopping-Guide&id=5717823
By Isis James
When you are looking to buy meditation bells for your practice, there are many different kinds for you to choose from. The selection includes meditation gongs, ring gongs, singing bowls, bell and dorjes, or tibetan tingshas. Here is a complete comparison guide to navigating the world of meditation gongs, bowls, and bells so that you can buy the best meditation bell suited to your needs. In Part I, we will explore the difference between suspended meditation gongs and singing bowls.
Suspended Meditation Gong
This type of gong has been used since ancient times for spiritual and ceremonial practice, as is what most people think of when they hear the word "gong." It looks like a flat, metal disc vertically suspended between two cords. These types of gongs tend to be larger and are suited for areas with wide spaces, like a temple or an outdoor garden. They aren't commonly seen in homes, however, there are some that are table-top sized for convenient personal use.
Singing Bowls
Singing bowls are a unique type of meditation bell, and confusingly, can also be referred to as meditation gongs. The Japanese rin gong falls under this category. Literally shaped like a bowl and played with a mallet or striker, they are the most capable of producing varied and complex sounds. You can play the bowl either by simply striking it, or by running the mallet around the edge of the bowl, which is what produces the complex harmonics.
Sizes of singing bowls vary, and can range from about a 4-5 inch diameter all the way up to 12+ inches. Keep in mind that the tone of a singing bowl deepens as the size gets larger. Both modern singing bowls and antiques are available on the market, with the antiques being more expensive but generally of higher quality and better sound. This type of meditation bell is perfect for extended use, as you can easily get lost in playing a singing bowl for hours at a time.
Bell and Dorje
A bell and dorje is a classic bell type instrument and is used extensively in Tibetan Buddhism. Traditionally the actual bell is held in the left hand and represents the feminine principle, while the dorje is held in the right hand and represents the masculine principle. The bell and djorje can be used in many ways. Sound the bells to call the presence of Buddha, to clear the mind and dispel stress or tension, as a visualization aid or as a way to request or summon protection. These bells average about 5-8 inches high.
Tibetan Tingshas
Tingshas consist of two cymbals attached to each other with a leather cord. Like the bell and dorje, they are widely used for ritual purposes in Tibetan Buddhism. They typically produce a clear, high-pitched and long ringing tone. High quality antique tingshas will have both cymbals producing the exact same sound, but due to modern manufacturing, it is more common for the sound of each cymbal in the pair to differ from the other. They are very small, usually about 2-4 inches in diameter, and are great for portability. They go very well in combination with singing bowls as an aid in meditation as well as sound healing.
Visit my site to learn more about information about buying meditation gongs and singing bowls and even more about meditation gongs, bells, chimes, and bowls.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Isis_James
http://EzineArticles.com/?Buying-Meditation-Bells,-Singing-Bowls-and-Gongs---A-Comparison-Shopping-Guide&id=5717823
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