My first hand at meditation didn’t go as well as I had hoped. I didn’t quite know during the time whether this frustrated me more because I believed I could do it, or because I had huge expectations from meditation and with all the things happening in my life I felt anything that could help would be useful. I think the most common vision we have of meditation is a person sitting in the lotus position chanting or saying absolutely nothing, which I tried my hand at and obviously failed.

A friend of mine figured that it wasn’t that I couldn’t meditate it was more that I needed something to listen to while I did, hence my introduction to meditation bells. Meditation bells came in more than one form ranging from the bell and dorje, singing bowls or meditation bowls and gongs. It was only after more research that I found out that there were differences in look and feel but it was more a matter of preference than anything else.

I found that meditation bells (specifically the bell and dorje) were perfect for me. I didn’t have the patience to use the singing bowl and I didn’t like the sound as much but was delighted with the bell and dorje. Within every ring of the bell I felt closer and closer to rejuvenation.  Since it was the only thing I could hear, all my attention went into the sound I could hear. The meditation bells were doing their work. As I continued my mind seemed to draw in closer and closer to the sound until it started becoming my ultimate focus. As I continued, I could feel little ripples, little sensations on my arms with the vibration of the bells and an overwhelming sense of piece and tranquility. It was internal and outwardly at the same time and my breathing felt great. My sessions weren’t extremely long ones, since I found it made me a little light headed, however with each session I felt better and better about myself and what it was I had to do with my life.

I’ve been practicing with the bell and dorje for a while now and have also started on other types of meditation bells such as the singing bowls. Before meditation I was lonely and shy. I could stand in a crowd of people and think that every single one was better than me. This showed in my work too and I passed up on many promotions just because I couldn’t think about being in the public eye. After continued meditation I found that slowly I was beginning to feel better. It was like a force had started to take over me and it seemed easier for me to focus on what I could do better than what I was doing right then.

If you’re looking at something that will bring you closer to your gold of a better mind then this is definitely something you have to try. I am not only more confident now, but more at peace with myself and who I am. I find it easier to focus on things and my anxiety attacks are no longer a problem. All in all I’ve got to stay the meditation bells are truly a great find.

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Mention the word gong and your mind will probably conjure up the image of a large metal disc suspended using two poles. Stemming mostly from a movie stereotype or two, or from quiz shows, the gong is probably one of the best known Asian instruments, and probably one of the least known to be a meditation tool.

The history of the gong goes back to further than 2000 B.C, though the specific starting point is unknown.  The length of gong usage can be seen partly from dug up remains, but also from the gongs which are still seen in abundance around Asia. Gongs are believed to bring good fortune to Asian houses since they are said to restore positive energy and this is the reason why meditation gongs exist.

The most commonly seen gong in the western world is often called the tam-tam, though there are plenty of gong shapes to choose from. Most western cultures use gongs as a form of music but meditation gongs are gaining more use and acceptance. Gongs come in more than one form and can either be suspended gongs, bowls or even bossed gongs.

Gongs produce a somewhat bell-like sound ad this is even more so in there bell form. Meditation benefits greatly from the use of gongs because they draw attention to sound, allowing for greater concentration. If you think a noisy clang is the sound of a good meditation gong then you have probably never heard a gong coaxed and then made to play. The sounds of well played gongs are in fact surprisingly relaxing and that is what the meditation use draws on.

Another relatively lesser known quality of meditation gongs in the western world are their healing properties.  When most people think of gongs they visualize it being struck in order to create sound. In order to produce a healing sound though, gongs aren’t struck, rather they are gently tapped. It is also possible to run the mallet within the gong in a circular motion. This creates a sound which is more similar to a vibration rather than just a simple note. The vibrations of meditation gongs can produce a multitude of different types of sounds and these affect brainwaves and hence bring on the feeling of relaxation or even astral travel.

Gongs can also be used well in yoga. Since yoga is a method of breathing and exercise which relies on your energy it is not surprising that a tool of energy can be beneficial to its practice. People who have used gong sounds in yoga classes reportedly feel the immense energy of the gong as waves running through their bodies and along their spines. Healing and balance between the chakras is said to be extremely improved by the gong sounds and vibrations.

It’s very easy to judge books by their covers and this is probably why meditation gongs have been viewed mostly as musical instruments rather than healing instruments. The good thing about that though is that it means you have the opportunity to learn more about its healing and meditation properties. The gong isn’t the easiest meditation tool to play but practice will improve that skill and in the meantime many online resources and health centers will play it for you while you’re getting the hang of it.

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If you want to beat stress and embrace wellness, beginning with meditative activities, there are tools like beautiful and functional Tibetan tingsha bells to help you reach that moment of quiet concentration. These bells, which are actually tiny cymbals (measuring, on the average, about three inches in diameter) capable of resonating a light, short, and sweet tinkling tone, are commonly used to help clear space of negative energies in the space. They also signal to others that a meditation session has begun. In some meditation sessions, bells are rung to bring attention to the present moment, or ingrain something in people’s memory.  Crafted by Tibetan Buddhists for hundreds of years, tingsha may be made of metal alloys and a fairly huge amount of bronze, the better to produce a clear tone thatcan be sustained.

Tingsha is usually made of recycled old bronze, to which  metals like gold or silver plus copper are added. Also adding beauty to a pair of tingsha bells is a design like raised/embossed precious symbols or dragon, plus a special carrying case like a suede pouch or brocade carrying case. A handy and ornamental pair of tingsha is often used in a house cleansing ceremony,where it is carried from one room to another and then embedded so that the energy that it carries can purify the dwelling place.  Or it can be used before doing some reflection or meditation, and may signal that it is time to clear the mind of worries and other worldly concerns. Tingsha can be suitably placed in an altar in one’s abode, or brought to a spa or yoga center even in far-flung locations.

Along with chimes and singing bowls, tingsha can help clear  away disturbing energies in a space. It can also help the mind focus. Its balancing power and therapeutic value makes it a must-buy. Tingsha is offered by many online sites at a very affordable price. As a tool for meditation, it can  help people relax and reaching higher levels of enlightenment. Having at hand tingsha bells give people reassurance and usher a relaxed state, moreso because of the clear, sound that’s produced, helping the mind refocus or set the pace for meditation.

Tingsha brings people’s attention to the here and now. So whether you’re using it for yoga or for personal reflection, or hearing its pure sound while joining a ritual, you can benefit from its healing and balancing effect. Tingsha bells are great collectors’ items, too. The really coveted ones are those beautifully handcrafted by Tibetan artists who adhere to ancient traditions, and opted to fuse seven metals to create an authentic, high quality item. The quality is evident in the sound and resonance that can be produced.

Quality tingsha,if it is to help create mind clarity and tranquility of the soul, does not sound discordant. A clear and clean note with a lingering sound is what you need to have. A quality pair of tingsha bells can clear the air and bring about the desired vibrational atmosphere for people doing meditation or yoga.

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