Singing bowl therapy

[[File:Medita PoA 2014-10-25 06.JPG|thumb|right|165px|Singing bowl therapy]]{{Altmed}}{{cquote|When a sick man is "nourished" by the right kind of sounds, the cells in his body start to vibrate and re-organize themselves according to their divine blueprint.|||real Scientific™ facts from the International Academy of Sound Therapy on Tibetan Singing Bowl Therapy<ref name=IASH />}}
'''Singing bowl therapy''' ('''SBT''') is an [[alternative medicine]] in which patients listen to the sounds created by [[Tibet]]an {{wpl|singing bowl|singing bowls}}. SBT is claimed to create a [[meditation]] state or [[healing]] state. These [[vibration]]s are claimed to improve body health by reducing stress and inducing a more calm state.

==History==
They were apparently first used to collect donations, later as musical instruments and finally as healing tools. Musical instruments have been used by many peoples for ritualistic purposes. The singing bowls seem to be one of the ritual instruments used by Buddhists. <ref>http://www.yowangdu.com/tibetan-buddhism/meditation/tibetan-singing-bowls-an-introduction.html</ref>

Confusion persists on the internet because some websites falsely claim that singing bowls originated "from the time of Gautama Buddha" <ref>http://www.bodhisattva.com/about.htm</ref> This is an example of cultural appropriation, where a company claims the object is associated with important historical events. In this case, they claim the objects are from the 6th-5th century BCE, although it is known that bowls from the era and location of the Buddha were made of stone and wood, not metal. People also claim singing bowls were brought from India to Tibet by Padmasambhava, (alias [[Guru]] Rinpoche); however this appears to be another incidence of historical appropriation. Padmasambhava is believed to have brought Buddhism to Tibet, not singing bowls.

However, the healing practice itself was invented in the 20th century by Europeans and Americans who became fascinated with the singing bowls.{{fact}} Some claim SBT has been practiced by Tibetans for centuries,{{fact}} but there is no evidence to support this claim. The fact is that the practice was invented by Westerners; it is said to alter one's consciousness for the better. 

Myths about the use of singing bowls probably come from the otherworldly sound of the bowls themselves. They make a very unique sound that includes multiphonic amplification of multiple harmonic overtones. The metal bowls can be played by hitting them or by rubbing a mallet around the rim of the bowl, producing the unique singing sound.

Published in July, 2011, scientific studies have shown that the generation of the waves from the bowls is caused by slight deformations in the shape of the bowls, which temporarily alter the flatness of the surface of the edge of water. There is proposed scientific research and practical applications for the effect, which causes random separation of droplets of water from the surface.<ref>http://www.iop.org/news/11/july/page_51352.html</ref>

==Ailments treated==
SBT allegedly [[Panacea|provides relief from a broad and unrelated variety of ailments]]:

*Promotes deeper [[sleep]]<ref name=IASH />
*Actually heals you:
:*Activates self-healing mechanisms within the body <ref name=IASH /> ''(um...)''
:*Relief from headache, fatigue, insomnia, digestive disorders, joint or muscle aches, [[Menstruation|menstrual]] disorders, emotional imbalances <ref name=IASH /> ''(wow, all these at once, or only one per customer?)''
:*[[Detoxification]] down to the cellular and "bone deep" level<ref name=IASH /> ''(as if the liver and kidneys weren't already good at removing toxins from the body)''
*Emotional relief:
:*Stress Reduction through deep relaxation and endorphin release<ref name=IASH>[http://www.iash.us/sound_therapy.html IASH Sound Therapy]</ref> ''(maybe? sounds plausible that it's relaxing, like hatha yoga)''
:*Liberation of emotional traumas locked within the subconscious<ref name=IASH /> ''(like in [[Sigmund_Freud|psychotherapy]]?)''
:*Healing past emotional traumas and breakthrough of limiting behavior patterns<ref name=IASH /> ''(oh, like [[Hypnosis#Past_life_regression_therapy|past life regression]]?)''
:*Management or resolution of learning issues, [[ADHD]]<ref name=IASH /> ''(wait, how?)''
*Fixes your energy, man!
:*[[Aura]] harmonizing <ref name=IASH /> ''(New Age woo!)''
:*[[Chakra]] balancing<ref name=IASH /> ''(Indian woo!)''
:*Profound effect on [[acupuncture]] [[meridians]]<ref name=IASH /> ''('''compound''' woo, if you will)''

==Doctors ''love'' it==
There is a history of legitimate medical practitioners like the late<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/20/health/mitchell-l-gaynor-59-manhattan-oncologist-and-advocate-for-alternative-treatments-dies.html?_r=0 Dr. Mitchell Gayor Obituary] by Sam Roberts. ''New York Times''</ref> Dr. Mitchell Gayor{{fact}} suggesting it for [[cancer]] patients ''in addition'' to their normal course of treatment.{{fact}} Many in the medical community in the 1990s were stumbling on the fact that stress and depression can have an effect at least on the mental health of their patients.{{fact}}

==See also==
*[[Aromatherapy]]
*[[Sound healing]]

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-hUtli68xg&t=15 1.5 hours of Tibetan Singing bowl. Prepare your ears.]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Alternative medicine]]
[[Category:Buddhism]]
[[Category:Sound]]

Categories: Alternative medicine, Buddhism, Sound