To use a singing bowl, rest it on a flat palm or a cushion, strike the outer side once with the mallet and listen until the sound fades. To make it "sing", tap it gently, then run the mallet around the outside of the rim at a slow, steady pace with even pressure until a continuous tone builds. In meditation, a single strike is traditionally used to mark the beginning and the end of a session.

What you need

A singing bowl
A mallet (also called a striker), wood or suede-wrapped
A bowl cushion or ring (optional)
A candle for ambiance (optional)
A quiet place to sit

Step by step

Settle in. Sit comfortably on a cushion or chair. If you like, light a candle on a stable, heat-resistant surface nearby, well away from the cushion and any fabric.
Hold the bowl. Rest a small or medium bowl on the flat palm of your hand with your fingers extended, so nothing touches the sides. Larger bowls sit on a cushion or ring on the floor or a table. Touching the walls stops the sound.
Strike it once. Hold the mallet like a pencil, near its middle. Tap the outer wall just below the rim with a gentle, relaxed stroke, then listen until the tone fades completely. A softer strike gives a softer, rounder sound.
Start the rim. To rim the bowl, tap it lightly first to start the vibration. Then press the mallet against the outside of the rim, keeping it fairly upright, and begin moving it around the bowl.
Keep a steady pace. Circle the rim slowly and evenly, using your whole arm rather than your wrist, with steady pressure. The tone usually builds after a few rotations. If the bowl rattles or chatters, slow down or ease the pressure slightly.
Let it fade and sit. Lift the mallet away and let the sound fade on its own. Many people use that fading tone as the cue to begin a few minutes of quiet sitting, then strike once more to close the session. Extinguish any candle when you finish.

Striking vs rimming

Striking gives a single tone that rings and slowly fades. Rimming, sometimes called singing, gives a continuous tone that lasts as long as you keep circling. Beginners usually start with striking, then practise rimming once the hold feels natural.

Wood or suede mallet?

A bare wooden mallet tends to give a brighter, clearer tone and is often easier for rimming. A suede- or leather-wrapped mallet gives a softer, warmer sound when striking. Many mallets have both: wood at one end or side and a wrapped section at the other.

A simple routine to try

Strike the bowl once and listen until it fades. Sit quietly for five minutes, letting your attention rest on your breath or the candle flame. Strike once more to close. That is the whole practice; you can lengthen the quiet time whenever you like.

Common beginner questions

Why won't it sing? Usually the pace is too fast or the pressure uneven. Slow down and keep the mallet in contact with the rim the whole way around. Why does it buzz? The mallet may be bouncing against the rim as the vibration grows; ease off and slow down.

AltarWell singing bowls are coming soon

We are preparing a small line of meditation tools, including singing bowls and tingsha. They are not on sale yet. See what is planned in Meditation Tools (coming soon), or join the list to hear when they arrive.

Moon phase dates

Some people like to pair a sound practice with the lunar cycle. Exact new and full moon times in Central Time are listed by month. Moon phases by month · Moon phase guide

Related candles

Calm candle (White Sage & Lavender): for slow evenings and stillness.
Clarity candle (Eucalyptus Lavender Herb): for journaling and planning.

Candle safety basics

Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before every lighting.
Never leave a burning candle unattended, and extinguish it before you go to bed or leave the room.
Burn for no more than 4 hours at a time, then let the candle cool fully before relighting.
Place the jar on a stable, heat-resistant surface away from children, pets, drafts and anything that can catch fire.

More detail: Candle care & safety · FAQ