Om Tingsha Bell

Tibetan tingsha bells are small cymbals used in prayer and rituals by Tibetan Buddhist and Yoga practitioners. Two bells are joined together by a leather strap or chain. The cymbals are struck together producing a clear and high pitched tone. The Tingsha Bells are usually accompanied by other Tibetan singing bowls, gong sounds, or crystal bowls, and other instruments, whether you are hearing it live or on a record. These sounds and instruments are great to listen to during your yoga or meditation practice.

 Dimensions (approx.)

• Diameter 6.5cm

 

Traditionally chanted at the beginning and end of yoga sessions, Om is a slow, vibrational chant that represents the all-encompassing sound made at the moment all creation came into existence.  It is said that before Om there was nothing, simply an empty void.

The Om symbol is written in Sanskrit and is the most sacred syllable and mantra in Hinduism. Each visual element represents different states of consciousness:

• Unconscious State: The top curl of the ‘3’ shape denotes deep sleep, where we subconsciously desire nothing and do not dream
• Waking State: Represented by the large curve at the base of the ‘3’ shape, this state signifies conscious experience through the five senses
• Dreaming State: The middle curve that juts out between the Waking and Unconscious states, where all dreams are experienced
• Maya State: The semi-circle at the top represents illusion, an obstacle to spiritual development and the highest state of consciousness
• Absolute State: Represented by the dot at the top, the highest realm of consciousness looks neither outward nor inward - the ultimate state of spiritual bliss.

As Om is regarded as the original sound of consciousness and creation, by chanting its sound, we are physically tuning in to the universe, and creating a spiritual connection to the existence of all things.

How to Play Tingsha Bells

The bells are not very thin like musical cymbals they are actually quite thick. They are also not used like musical cymbals, by banging the two flatter surfaces together. They are played by hitting the two edges together and then allowing them to move apart from each other so that the tone can resonate throughout the room.