Daily Singing Bowl Meditation

This daily singing bowl meditation is adapted from recommendations and a poem by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh as relayed by author Frank Perry in his book Himalayan Sound Revelations. Thich Nhat Hanh recommends performing this short meditation twice each day in the morning and in the evening, and that you view the bowl as a sacred friend who is there to help you be mindful.

You can use any type of a singing bowl, although the Himalayan bronze singing bowls are believed by Buddhist monks to transmit the frequency of OM, which is the fundamental sound of the universe and are what were originally intended for use with this meditation. Ringing or singing the bowls transmits the dharma, or the principle of cosmic order. 

1. Bow to the bowl with hands in prayer position.
2. Strike the bowl. 
3. Breathe in as the bowl sounds and say silently, "Body, speech, and mind held in perfect oneness."
4. Breathe out while the bowl continues to sound and say silently, "I send my heart along with the sound of the bell."
5. Strike the bowl again. 
6. Breathe in as it sounds and say silently, "May the hearers awaken from forgetfulness."
7. Breathe out while it is still sounding and say silently, "and transcend all anxiety and sorrow."
8. Half strike the bowl by striking it and allowing the stick to rest against the side of the bowl to dampen the sound.
9. Lift the bowl in an upturned palm and visualize it as a lotus with a jewel in the center.
10. Strike the bowl again.
11. Breathe in as the bowl sounds, saying silently, "Listen, listen."
12. Breathe out as the bowl still sounds, saying silently, "This wonderful sound brings me back to my true home."
13. Repeat steps 10 through 12 for two more strikes, so three full strikes.
14. Replace the bowl on its cushion.
15. Bow to the bowl with hands in prayer position.

Here's the audio so you can hear what it sounds like:

Body, Speech, and Mind in Perfect Oneness
by Thich Nhat Hanh

Body, speech and mind in perfect oneness,
I send my heart along with the sound of the bell.

May the hearers awaken from forgetfulness
And transcend the path of anxiety and sorrow.

Those who are listening to the sound of the bell
silently recite the following gatha:

"Listen, listen,
This wonderful sound brings me back
to my true home."

As we listen to the sound of the bell,
the voice of the Buddha inside,
calling each of us back to our true home,
the place of peace, tolerance and love.