Sound is a form of energy that can be heard and felt through the skin and mind, and has long been incorporated into healing practices. In Japan, sound is often used to open and close meditation practices; the clear
song
of a singing bowl or the pure ring of a bell can instantly refocus a wandering mind. This practice
inspired us
to offer The Meditation Bell—a tool to help you return the present moment with a single ring.
We turned to Nousaku, an esteemed copperware purveyor in Japan, to craft this timeless instrument. Based in Takaoka in Toyama Prefecture—which is responsible for 90% of copperware production in Japan—Nousaku has designed brass and bronze treasures like Japanese tea ceremony utensils, bells, and flower vases since 1916. Their advanced casting techniques, expert knowledge, craftsmanship, and creativity have been passed down through generations. Heard most often through trumpets and horns, brass was the ideal material to create The Meditation Bell, as it is prized for its clear and beautiful sound. Each Nousaku piece is finely shaved by experienced craftsmen, which accentuates the beauty of the brass itself.
In a world that is filled with motion, noise, and distraction, this gentle pause invites you to reconnect with yourself. It has also been proven to have a profound effect on your mood, and even your well-being. In a study on the effects of singing bowls in meditation, participants reported significantly less tension, anger, fatigue, and depressed mood following the sound meditation, as compared with pre-meditation.* It’s no wonder that bells have been incorporated into meditation practices for centuries in many parts of the world.
We asked our Global Well-Being Mentor, Toryo Ito, how bells are used in his daily life, at his temple in Kyoto: “The healing ring of a bell is used to signal the beginning of activity or a shift between tasks. At our temple, for example, a bell is rung to wake the monks, or when we start reading the sutra. We also like to ring the bell before making a wish.” Informed by his own experience, Toryo Ito crafted a unique meditation practice that you can recreate with The Meditation Bell.
To mentally prepare yourself for using the bell in your practice, Toryo Ito recommends ringing the bell during relaxing activities, like when you’re having tea or watching your favorite show. This will help your mind associate its sound with relaxation.
For Meditation
Step 1: Find a comfortable position.
Step 2: Ring the bell to enjoy the reverberation until it fades.
Step 3: Meditate for the desired amount of time. Mentally engage with all of your senses.
Step 4: Ring it again and enjoy the reverberation until it fades.
Step 5: Slowly and naturally go back to daily life.
*Goldsby, Tamara L et al. “Effects of Singing Bowl Sound Meditation on Mood, Tension, and Well-being: An Observational Study.” Journal of evidence-based complementary & alternative medicine vol. 22,3 (2017): 401-406. doi:10.1177/2156587216668109
Victoria Tsai
Chief Treasure Hunter