We arrive at listening through hearing. Listening is more than just hearing, it is a perception of sounds with the whole body. Allow yourself to become fully involved with the sounds, body sensations, thoughts and feelings. Listening to the sounds leads you inwards and into a soothing silence - what is happening on the outside fades into the background.
- Make yourself comfortable. Place the Singing Bowl directly in front of you on a cushion or another surface that can vibrate.
- Now gently strike the bowl and listen to its sound.
- Perhaps close your eyes while you do this so that you can fully immerse yourself in the sounds.
- Can you hear the different nuances of sound? There are high tones, low tones, many different tones that together create a wonderful sound image rich in overtones.
- Listen to the sound with your whole body - your whole attention is focused on the sound, you become one with the sound, so to speak. You may feel how your body is touched by the sound vibrations and how you can feel them more and more.
- After a while, hit the Singing Bowl again.
- Listening to the rising and falling of the sounds will make your breathing calmer, deeper and more relaxed. If you like, consciously take a few deep breaths.
- The silence after each sound creates a pleasant calm within you.
- Enjoy the sounds for as long as you like.
- Feel the relaxing, harmonizing effect.
- Now put Singing Bowl and mallets aside and listen with your eyes closed. Perhaps you can still feel the sounds even though they have faded away - they continue to resonate within you.
- Be with yourself for a few minutes: how do you feel, what is going on inside you, how do you perceive your body? Take time to give space to everything that is happening right now without judging it - just observe.
- Finally, take a few more deep breaths, stretch and return to everyday life at your own pace.
Source: Sound exercise from the book: "Singing Bowls - my practical companion", 2018, p: 61-62, author: Peter Hess