A BRIEF HISTORY OF SOUNDBOARDS

The sounding bowl is a metal bowl made of special alloys, and in Sanskrit and Nepali its name is Dhwani Patra, which means resonating bowl.

To sound the bowls, a wooden mallet (the end of which is covered with leather or velvet) is used, thanks to which the speaker of the bowl gets a long-lasting, gentle, yet intense sound.

The greatness of the sound bowl lies in the fact that you don't need to be an expert to make it sound, anyone can produce this long-lasting, captivating unique sound.

It is its simplicity and the pleasant atmosphere created by the unique sound that made this device popular.

How is a sound bowl made?

The size, shape, shape, weight, decoration and quality of the sound bowl depend on the production process: the bowls can be produced using different technologies.

Traditional bowls are made by hand forging, precision or loss-of-wax casting, but in recent decades machine production has gained more and more ground.

The production process determines the most important features of the bowl:

• the tone,
• the pitch,
• the harmony
• and all-encompassing quality.

The quality is in the sound

The sound quality of the bowl is primarily determined by the length of the sound and the quality of the sound vibration.

The longer the sound of the bowl rings, the better the quality of the bowl and the better the therapeutic effect achieved by the sound.

Each bowl has a unique sound, which is fine-tuned in the last phase of the casting process.

In such cases, it is still possible to choose which type of sound should be dominant.

Sound therapy usually uses clear tones between the third and fifth octaves - in some cases, bowls with different tones are used, but this is not common.

Master level users of sound therapy and professional musicians sometimes customize the properties of a sound bowl by choosing a special alloy and production process during the order.

What can a sound bowl be used for?

The sound bowl can be used in a variety of ways in music and during therapeutic procedures.

During sound therapy, depending on the purpose of the application and the type of therapy, a single bowl can be used, but professional sound therapists usually use two or more bowls, which are often supplemented with other devices.

Musicians also usually supplement the sound bowl with other instruments during concerts.

The sound bowl can be positioned in several ways during playback.

If it is used for therapeutic purposes, it can be held in the open palm, placed - depending on the therapy - on different points of the body or on the pillow specially made for this purpose.

Sound bowl or Tibetan sound bowl?

Although sound bowls are often referred to as Tibetan sound bowls, the truth is that they are traditionally made in Nepal, Bhutan, China, India, Burma, Korea and Japan, and only a small part of them originates from Tibet.

According to an interview with an old lama, there were only three sound bowls in Tibet before the Chinese occupation.

They believed that their origins date back to the time of the Buddha and were held in high esteem.

According to the legend, if someone made the bowls sound, it was possible to decide whether their karma was positive or negative: people with the latter could not make them sound, or if they did, the sound made by the bowl was very soft and distorted.

On the other hand, if a person with positive karma played the bowls, they produced a beautiful, clear, ringing sound.

These bowls, considered relics, were very famous and had great religious significance, which is probably the reason why the singing bowls are still considered to be of Tibetan origin.

The legendary and colorful Tibetan sound bowls

It is easy to see the significance of these three bowls, as the monks believe that anyone who has heard these bowls chanted, even one of the three bowls, will never go to hell or any lower form of existence.

The old lamas believe that these original singing bowls had several functions.

On the one hand, they served as a kind of bell, which was used to call the lamas together, because during the ringing of the bowl, such energies were released that even the relatively quiet sound could be heard from great distances between the mountains.

On the other hand, they also served teaching purposes, the sound emitted served as a lesson for all beings.

Buddha's message in the singing bowls

It is believed that Buddha did not always teach with words, but with the help of bowls.

By making the sound of the singing bowls, the Buddha's own energy helped generate the sound and this energy carried the teaching.

As one of the last Tibetan lamas, Lama Lobsang Leshe, put it in an interview, sometimes the Buddha does not act with the physical body, but with the help of created energy.

According to legend, the sound of these three bowls is very special, because one of the metals used to make them comes from a meteorite, which has a completely different quality than any other metal in the world.

How many types of sound bowls can you find?

The size, material, and pattern of modern sounding bowls depend on the place where they are made, each region makes different types of bowls, the most well-known bowls made for therapeutic purposes usually come from Nepal.

Nowadays, you can also meet crystal, glass and ceramic sound bowls: these traditionally did not serve therapeutic purposes, but nowadays they are sometimes included in the therapy repertoire as alternative tools.

The wide selection of sound bowls, the ease of playing them and their therapeutic effect have made this instrument deeply embedded in Asian culture known worldwide.

The origin of the name singing bowl used in the Western world is lost in the mists of time, but according to the members of the Kasa family, which deals with traditional metal casting from the city of Patan, the name originates from the 1960s.

It was then that Western tourists began to visit Nepal in greater numbers, who were intrigued by the culture of the country closed off from the rest of the world, and more and more people wanted to get to know its spiritual life as well.

This led to a growing interest in various religious instruments – bowls, bells, cymbals and other spiritual instruments.

More than anything else, the interest of tourists was aroused by the world of Buddhism

The reason for this is that the lamas who were forced to flee from Tibet due to the Chinese occupation settled in the valleys around Kathmandu at this time and brought their religious rituals and tools with them to Nepal.

The sound bowl took a particularly prominent place among attention-grabbing devices due to its ease of use, its therapeutic function and its captivating sound.

As the local artisans faced the ever-increasing demand, it became obvious that they had to find a name that would be easy for tourists to remember and refer to the bowl's function.

The English name "Singing Bowl", which is widely used today, developed naturally in the markets of Kathmandu, where more and more western tourists visited the stalls where the bowls were sold.

The birth of the western name of the sound bowl symbolizes the meeting of tradition and modern times, as well as the intertwining of local and global culture.

Is there a difference between hand-made and machine-made sound bowls?

After the early days, the demand for singing bowls continued to grow, giving a new impetus to the Nepali artisans and industry.

The range of both hand-made and machine-pressed sound bowls has increased over time, and their production is now considered a serious source of income.

Machine-made sound bowls are cheaper due to their production technology, and the method of production does not detract from their beauty and value.

These bowls are perfect for religious purposes, decoration and gift.

On the other hand, handmade bowls are increasingly rare, thanks to the rare alloys used in their production and the traditional technology, which requires significantly more time than the production of machine-made sound bowls.

Thanks to the traditional technology, the quality of these bowls is completely different from machine bowls.

The fine-tuning performed in the last phase of casting enables the creation of clear, high-quality sounds used in sound therapy.

Also, the techniques used during fine-tuning also allow the sound to vibrate much longer than in the case of a mechanical cymbal.

Accordingly, the price of these bowls is higher than that of machine bowls.

In our online store, you can find both machine-made and hand-made sound bowls: take your pick!

https://www.nepaliproducts. com/collections/tibeti- soundboards

Therapy with a sound bowl

Regarding the sound bowls, it should be noted that the name bowl is misleading, as it starts from the form and not the function. In a sacred sense, the sounding bowl can be considered a special kind of so-called standing bell. The classification of bells has an acoustic basis, since these bowls behave in the same way as bells during the sound release, i.e. the maximum vibration and vibrato can be observed near the edge.

These bells are usually really bowl-shaped. Depending on the purpose of use, their size can range from a diameter of a few centimeters to a diameter approaching one meter. Traditional sounding bowls were not used as musical instruments in Nepal before. For thousands of years, they were part of traditional kitchen equipment used to serve food, measure grain, prepare traditional medicines and concoctions, offer food to the gods, and so on. In Himalayan communities, metal bowls were widely used for serving food because it was believed that the minerals and iron contained in the metal would be absorbed into the food and thereby provide the required amount of key minerals. This was especially true for expectant mothers, because according to their belief, food eaten from metal bowls helps to keep both the mother and the unborn child healthy and strengthen their immune system. Traditionally, after giving birth, the mother was served a meal made of rice, milk and sugar cane in a metal bowl, the purpose of which was to replace the iron loss suffered during pregnancy and childbirth. Travelers to some regions of Nepal can still find areas where food is served in metal bowls.

In the rural regions of Nepal, metal bowls and utensils symbolized family and community wealth. The number and quality of metal bowls and dishes presented to the bride during the wedding ceremony was considered a status symbol in both the Buddhist and Hindu communities of Nepal.

In these regions, Buddhist monks visited the surrounding families with a metal bowl, asking for alms and eating it together at the end of the collecting tour. On these bowls different forms of representation of Buddha appeared and with this the bowl found its place outside the kitchen. Its social, cultural and spiritual significance has changed and grown. During the use for a purpose other than the kitchen, it turned out that some of the bowls had a magical sound, which laid the foundation for the beginning of a new era.

Although according to their original function, the bowls served meditation and personal spiritual purposes in addition to their domestic use, a few decades ago it was discovered that the sounds emitted by the bowls are also suitable for therapeutic use. With this scientifically established fact, the international career of sound bowls began.

The therapeutic effect of sound bowls is due to the sound they emit and the vibration they create. The deep and strong sound vibration frequency emitted by the bowls quickly reaches the cellular level of the human body. The vibration creates various waves that create calmness and peace. On a physical level, these vibrations are known to stimulate blood vessels, lymph nodes, nerves, veins and muscles, allowing blockages to open and tense body parts to relax, without the bowl actually coming into contact with their surface. Long-lasting harmonic sound eliminates external distractions, allows the mind to focus and helps the body generate a flow of positive energy and thoughts within itself. The combination of sound and vibration relaxes the body, relieves pain and provides an experience of peace for the body and mind. This is one of the reasons why sound bowls are also used for meditation purposes. Sometimes the sound of the sound bowl is accompanied by other sounds and chanting to make the effect even better.

Legend has it that in ancient times Tibetan healing masters developed a technique that was able to purify the water and make it suitable for healing and treating the sick. Others say that ancient spiritual masters were able to use the reverberation of the bowl to transport their meditative being into another dimension.

Based on tantric philosophy, the masters of the singing bowl relate the sounds of the singing bowl to the seven planets, which correspond to the seven chakras. The purpose of this is that the person who receives the sound and vibration of the bowl can receive them in a space between a normal self and a cosmic self, which helps him to loosen rigid physical and psychological limitations, thereby enabling the maximum use of the benefits from sound therapy.

Sound bowls have countless beneficial effects, from supporting the maintenance of good health, helping to develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle, providing support towards a more positive outlook on life, relieving anxiety, and all the way to helping to reduce acute and chronic pain. More and more people worldwide are discovering this positive effect. The effects of the bowls are constantly being tested and examined by researchers, musicians and those dealing with spiritual teachings. Their beneficial effect has already been proven several times in healthcare institutions - hospitals, cancer treatment centers and hospices.

The significance of the sound bowl depends on its user. For the seeker of spirituality, the sound bowl is a tool for creating a cosmic connection, for the practitioner of sound therapy, it is a tool for slow but progressive healing, for the musician, it is a tool with which he can create beautiful overtones, while for a doctor or researcher, it is an alternative healing tool that helps can be used in the treatment of diseases for which we do not yet know the cure.

The possibilities for the therapeutic use of sound bowls are endless. In doing so, whoever performs the therapy must know the bowl they are using, its reaction and the sounds and vibrations it emits. It is also very important to make the appropriate preparations, assess the available space, prepare the necessary tools and think through the technique used during the therapy in order for the healing energy to have the best possible effect during the procedure.

During the preparations, the therapist must reach the level where he can emit positive energy and vibrations. It is important to maintain natural energy, a fresh mind and a healthy body. This is especially important because a large amount of physical and mental energy is used up each time during the therapy. Since during therapy a very strong relationship is created between the therapist and the patient, it is therefore very important to follow the basic rules.

To illustrate how a simple sound therapy works, here is an outline of a basic sound therapy procedure for aura cleansing and protection against negative energies:

1./ We can achieve the best results if we apply this procedure in the morning

2./ The patient should sit on the floor with his legs crossed and try to find a comfortable position

3./ The therapist should start repeating the selected mantra

4./ The therapist should take a deep breath and relax all the muscles and joints. Raise the bowl to chest height and begin the therapy.

5./ The therapist can use a bat to create the sound or make the sound bowl sound with his clenched hands.

6./ When the sound has reached the desired volume and vibration, the bowl should be slowly raised in front of the third eye chakra, held there for 1-2 seconds, then moved to one side of the head, held there for 1-2 seconds, then brought back to its original position and hold there for 1-2 seconds. After that, the same thing must be repeated in the other direction. After that, the bowl should be moved slowly in the direction of the sacral chakra, where the accumulated negative energies leave the body. Here, you have to hold the bowl a little longer so that you have time to absorb the outgoing negative energies. This process must be repeated until the sound of the bowl resonates.

7./ When the sound dies down, the therapist brings the bowl back to chest height, sounds it again and repeats the procedure.

8./ For complete success, this procedure must be repeated a total of three times.

For the patient, this procedure means complete refreshment and he will be able to go through even the most difficult day with a positive attitude and positive energy.

In our online store, you can find both machine-made and hand-made sound bowls: take your pick!

https://www.nepaliproducts. com/collections/tibeti- soundboards

As a kind of standing bell, Tibetan singing bowls help meditation, religious practices, and relaxation all over the world, and are even suitable for healing.

The tympanum vibrates the rim to generate sound at a fundamental frequency, usually accompanied by two harmonic overtones – these combine to form a remarkable, unique, powerful, long-lasting harmonic melody that is both invigorating and soothing.

During healing, we use the resonance of the harmonic vibrations of the bowls to restore the balance of the human body, during which we try to activate or balance the body's chakras and energy center - in this case, the sound bowl is called a chakra bowl.

How is the Tibetan sound bowl made?

Most of the sound bowls are made by hand, during which several processes are carried out
in order to achieve a perfect end result.
As a first step, the required amount of metal is melted in the furnace, which is then made into a round
they make metal molds in the right size and thickness.

After the sheet has been accurately measured, it is manually hammered to the appropriate size and shape, during which 4-5 round metal sheets are stacked on top of each other and then heated to red in an oven.

The hot metal, which becomes soft and flexible, is continuously hammered by the craftsmen until it starts to cool down - then they heat it again until it turns red again, and then continue hammering.

This is necessary because the colder metal is no longer flexible enough and may break as a result of hammering, which will seriously impair the sound of the cymbal.

This way every sound bowl will be unique

When, thanks to constant heating and hammering, the bowl acquires its final shape, the unique work begins: the cleaning and manual grinding or polishing of the sound bowls.

The methods used in making Tibetan sound bowls create bowls with beautiful tones.

The external appearance of the bowls can be very different, some are decorated with various decorations such as Buddha images or other spiritual symbols, while other bowls have a simple appearance with no external decoration.

But of course, the most important aspect of a sound bowl is its sound: the better the quality of the sound bowl, the higher and clearer the resonance it produces.

What does the sound of the soundboard depend on?

In order to produce the most perfect resonance and thus the most perfect sound during the making of Tibetan sound bowls, seven different metals are used, which symbolize the seven planets known at the time the tradition was formed.

Traditionally, the sound bowl is made using the following seven metals:

• Gold - Sun
• Silver - Moon
• Copper - Venus
• Iron - Mars
• Tin - Jupiter
• Mercury - Mercury
• Lead - Saturn

With these, on the one hand, the astrological power of the seven planets appears and is attracted during the use of the bowl.

Depending on the different alloys of the metals, the shape, size, and weight of the bowl, the Tibetan singing bowls sound in different tones, which is also constantly changing: as time passes, we can observe that it becomes fuller and more complex.

Using the Tibetan singing bowl

If you've never used a bowl before, remember that you won't be able to produce a clear sound immediately: it definitely takes a bit of practice, but it's well worth investing some time in practice.

It is important to know that the sound bowl's response may change based on the user's mental state, mood, or even energy level, and the response may not always be the same.

If you're lucky enough to use a sound bowl, you may feel that different sounds strike different emotional chords in you.

It is a useful daily practice to try to see if you can perceive differences in the sound of the bowl.

The more you play the sound bowl, the more it will grow with you, you will begin to resonate with the sound, and this will become more and more true the longer time goes by.

As can be seen from the above, regular use of the sound bowl creates a real connection between the sound bowl and its user.

Focus with your sound box

You don't need a "reason" to use the sound bowl, since according to theories about ancient sound bowls, they were used not only for meditation and healing, but also for entertainment.

However, if the goal is for the sound of the sound bowl to lead you into a quiet state of consciousness, then the best way is usually to try to induce quieter sounding impulses by concentrating on the bowl.

This is an excellent way to focus the mind.

When we no longer perceive sound, we have reached the point where we have become independent of our environment.

Playing with a rim provides a wonderful and often concentrated sound, but not only the sound, but also the activity performed during the game, grasping the rim, finding the position of the bowl, deepens the experience.

This is how a Tibetan sound bowl sounds

In order to experience singing from the vocal cords, it is helpful to understand how sound is created.

When you touch the singing bowl, the metal is in motion - usually hundreds or thousands of vibrations per second, moving a column of air, and the continuous sound you hear is the result of that motion.

Over time, this movement slows down and the sound dies out, the friction ceases.

While the entire bowl is in motion from the impact, the sound radiates from the rim.

In some larger Tibetan sound bowls, the movement of the rim can be seen with the naked eye.

By holding down the rim, you can stop the sound, while pressing the part below the rim dampens it, but does not stop it.

Touching the area further from the rim has less effect on the movement of the rim and thus the sound of the bowl.

How do you play on your turntable?

It is important to know that it is easier to play on the bowl with wood than with leather or felt, so it is definitely recommended for beginners.

The best way to hold the stick is much the same way you hold a pen, with your thumb on one side and the next two strongest fingers supporting the stick on the other side - this gives you the best grip.

Placing the stick perpendicular to the plane of the bowl, straight up and down, is a good way to start, but tilting the stick towards the inside of the bowl can be helpful.

It must always be kept in mind that the applied force is directed towards the center of the bowl, because in this way the contact between the stick and the bowl remains constant and the sound is uniform.

If focus is lost for some reason, the stick will lose contact with the rim, and when it regains focus, it may squeak or rattle.

Pay attention to how you hold the Tibetan sound bowl!

If you play while holding the sound bowl in your hand, you should hold smaller bowls with the tips of your fingers, and hold larger sound bowls in the palm of your hand.

It is worth focusing on holding the bowls with as little contact as possible.

If you hold the bowl in your hand, you can feel its vibration, which makes the experience more intense.

The other option is to place the sound bowl on a suitable surface: a thin, densely woven carpet can be suitable for this, which, in addition to holding the bowl in place, minimizes the attenuation of the sound, or even a well-chosen pillow can be suitable for this (however, almost it is unavoidable that he touches the side of the bowl and thereby dampens his voice).

When moving the sound bowls, it is important to always try to move them with two hands, without touching the rim or the inside.

Sound bowls can be used for a variety of purposes:

• they help you feel better
• they help in meditation, yoga or spiritual practices
• relieve stress
• harmonize behavior
• are suitable for healing
• they can be used during ceremonies
• can be used as musical instruments
• to calm troubled children
• are suitable for feng shui purposes

Chakra healing with a singing bowl

Chakras are energy vortices from the ancient Indian healing system.

Most literature discusses seven main chakras, but there are literally hundreds of energy vortices in the body.

The chakra is the connection between our being and the physical spiritual aspect.

In the Indian healing system, when a physical disorder exists, one or more chakras are considered blocked, dysfunctional, or imbalanced.

Imbalanced chakras result in a whole range of mental, emotional and physiological dysfunctions.

Historically, chakra balancing has been done in a variety of ways, but most effectively it was done by someone who could sense and/or see the chakras or their imbalances: they used energy healing techniques to rebalance.

What happens during treatment?

Tibetan sound bowls correct the chakras in a natural way: the sound waves in the form of sine waves improve the frequency of unbalanced chakras, during which they return to normal functioning.

When using Tibetan singing bowls, the overall balancing effect of collecting theta brain waves combines the corrective effect of sine waves and supports the achievement of optimal energy levels in each chakra.

The process results in balanced chakras that enhance cellular and systemic healing throughout the body, aided by theta rhythms.

By repeatedly listening to the special sounds generated by the sound bowl, this can help the body/soul to eliminate toxicity and diseased states, while simultaneously manipulating the chakras and the physical body to keep them in a state of balance, and over time the body will return to its state of balance.

Although chakras are far from today's modern, scientific facts, ancient literature suggests that chakra balancing is part of the healing process when healing any level of dysfunction.

Balancing the body, a technique used by ancient cultures, is perhaps the missing link in today's healthcare.

Using sound bowls for feng shui purposes

Both the shape and appearance of the speakers, as well as their sound, give our home a huge energy.

Centering, healing and cleansing - these are just some of the mysterious powers of bowls.

The feng shui use of singing bowls is very similar to the use of bells, as a singing bowl is a type of standing bell.

The openness of the bowl results in a kind of extra energy quality during the application of feng shui, and their use, due to their openness, has a stronger energy than that of bells.

Their most important feature is that the sound bowl can correct low or stagnant energy levels in the home, as well as keep the energy in the apartment constantly fresh and clean.

Teaching the voice bowls for everyday life

• Relax your grip: the bowl should be held lightly, if you hold it too tightly it will not sing. This teaches us to examine whether there is an area in our lives – career, personal life, relationships, goals – that we hold too tightly, thus preventing us from achieving results.
• Be consistent: the best results are achieved by moving the rod around the rim with even speed and pressure. Changes in speed and pressure will worsen the result. This teaches us that we need to examine the circumstances in which we are contradictory and how we can deal with it consistently.
• Be patient: the bowl will not sing at the first touch. If the technique is correct, it still takes time to hear the first note, which can be quite a long time for a beginner. This teaches us not to be immediately frustrated by the lack of results and not to give up on our plans after a short attempt, to give time for the first results to come.
• Enjoy the journey, not just the results: if we tensely focus only on making the bowl sing, then we do not enjoy what we are doing and the sound does not lead to the expected meditation. You have to enjoy every aspect of using the sound bowl, its feel, its vibration, the sound is just a sign that we are doing it right. This teaches us not to always focus only on the results, but also to enjoy the journey leading there.
• There are several routes, let's find the one that is most suitable for us: the sound bowl can be sounded in several ways, and each sound is joyful and leads to meditation, which teaches us that we can reach our goals in life in several ways, we can boldly choose alternative paths to to live a more productive, freer and more efficient life.

So the lesson is to calm down, relax and let the sound bowl heal.

After all, it has been doing this for thousands of years.

In our online store, you can find both machine-made and hand-made sound bowls: take your pick!

https://www.nepaliproducts. com/collections/tibeti- soundboards

Gift shopping in Nepal – pashminas, beads and Buddhist shops

Every visitor to Nepal is captivated by the country's culture, so it's no wonder that everyone wants to take a piece of it with them. Despite the fact that the country's intellectual and spiritual radiance inevitably accompanies everyone for a longer or shorter time, tourists also buy many of the diverse handicraft products produced by the locals.

As in all big cities - since Kathmandu, with its nearly 1.5 million inhabitants, is undoubtedly the metropolis of the Himalayan region - there are many shopping opportunities. This is also the case in Kathmandu, where from traditional markets to modern plazas, there are many different places where the tourist can get the coveted souvenirs.

Although the country is primarily known in the Western world for its Buddhist traditions and mountain climbing expeditions to Mount Everest, the markets and shops of this country with a rich craft culture offer much more.

Clothing products play a leading role among souvenirs, which is no wonder, since the local, high-quality yak and lamb wool is world famous. Pashminas made of high-quality cashmere are perhaps the most popular of the clothing items. Their main feature is the variety beyond all imagination, which makes it almost impossible to choose. Nepalese artisans offer a wide range of colors and patterns using the most varied types of cashmere. But don't let the bright colors dazzle the customer, it's worth looking around in several stores and finding out about the prices.

Pearl, bone and stone jewelry also have a long tradition. Some of them serve merely as clothing accessories, but a significant proportion of them are important accessories for the practice of Hindu and Buddhist religion.

If someone is looking for jewelry made of pearls, they must visit the so-called Pote bazaar, where on 750 square meters, only and exclusively glass pearl jewelry is sold by local artisans, most of whom are already fifth or sixth generation artisans. The name of the market is derived from 'Pote', a jewelery worn by Hindu women. This jewelry consists of at least 20 strands of colored glass beads, which Hindu women receive as a gift from the groom on their wedding day and always wear during their married life, as it symbolizes marriage. Wearing the necklace symbolizes the bride's wish that her husband live a long and healthy life. When the husband dies, it becomes taboo for the widow to continue wearing the necklace. The strange thing about the market is that although the pearls are traditionally bought by followers of the Hindu religion - of course in addition to tourists - the pearl makers are mostly Muslims. According to legend, the current market was once located on the banks of a river where Hindus used to hold funeral ceremonies. Over time, the course of the river changed, but the superstitious Hindus refused to use an area that had previously been used for burning funeral pyres. The king consulted the priests, who said that the area would be suitable for people who write backwards. So the king invited some Kashmiri Arab artisans to take possession of the area. They settled down and since then, the craft of bead making and stringing has been passed down from generation to generation.

The situation is different with stones and jewelry made of semi-precious stones or other minerals. These usually serve purely fashion purposes in the Western world, but in Nepal each stone has a different meaning. These stones and the jewelry/objects made from them very often serve religious purposes. One of the most characteristic pieces of jewelry is the so-called mala bracelet or necklace. Almost everyone with some connection to the Buddhist religion has mala beads. Its meaning - although universal - varies from person to person. For some, the mala is simply a physical reminder of positive intention, while for others it is a meditation aid used during religious practices. There is no clear definition of what a mala is, everyone has to decide for themselves what it means to them. There are many places in Kathmandu where you can find shops where you can choose your own malan, but the most authentic is usually to look around a large stupa and you will be sure of success.

However, Buddhist souvenirs are not limited to buying malas. Many other religious souvenirs can be found in Kathmandu's shops and markets. Mandalas are very popular, thanks to their symbolic meaning and magical colors. The symbolism of the mandala is a combination of philosophical, mathematical and artistic beauty, which not only appeals to practitioners of the Buddhist religion, but also enchants almost everyone. Which is no wonder, since the dimensionless center of the mandala traditionally involves external energies and generates the unfolding of its own energies, thus representing the external and internal spaces. The traditional mandala representation is usually a circle within a square, where the circle represents dynamic knowledge and the square represents the physical world. The power of such a "picture" lies not only in its colors and form, but also in the fact that the painter of the picture is not a craftsman in the traditional sense. Since mandala painting is also a form of worship based on scriptural texts, anyone who wants to gain permission to practice this activity has a long way to go, learning that concept precedes form, that colors and shapes serve the whole. . It is no wonder that mandalas are widely popular among locals and tourists alike.

Singing bowls also play an important role among Buddhist souvenirs. Traditionally, sound bowls fulfill several functions. According to the intention of the user, the sound bowl can help meditation and religious practice, but it is also suitable for healing. As can be deduced from its name, the bowls owe their name to their unique, powerful and harmonious melody. Their production goes back to long traditions, some of the bowls are still made by traditional hand casting, using seven metals. The seven metals symbolize the seven planets that were known in the Middle Ages and their role to involve the astrological power of the planets. The appearance and shape of the bowls can be very different, on some of the bowls you can find depictions of Buddha, while on others non-figurative patterns, but there are bowls without any pattern at all. The quality of the sound bowl is determined by its sound, the better the quality of the sound bowl, the higher and clearer the resonance produced by the sound bowl. Anyone who wants to buy a sound bowl in Nepal should be careful, because there is a huge range in terms of size and quality, which results in very different prices. The advice is to avoid the areas most popular with tourists when shopping, because the prices are naturally higher here. It is also a good idea to buy the singing bowl and other ritual objects in a place that is near a stupa less popular with tourists, or in an area inhabited by artisans, such as Patan.

The various sculptures are also very popular among tourists. Various statues play a big role in Buddhist traditions. These can be Buddha statues, which are made in the greatest variety, the color, size and material of the statues are all important, not to mention the pose taken by the Buddha. Different Buddhas have different meanings, which is worth researching before buying. But in shops selling religious objects, you can also find statues of Maitreya, Tara, Csenrézi and many others. One of the most famous shops is the Statue Maker's Shop in Kathmandu, which is located next to the famous Buddhist stupa, Boudhanath Stupa. This shop was founded and maintained by Buddhist sculpture families from the city of Patan. According to their creed, they work not only with their hands, but also with their hearts. This can be felt in the sculptures they carved, as celebrities such as Richard Gere and Cher bought from the sculptures they carved in addition to ordinary customers.

In our online store, you can find both machine-made and hand-made sound bowls: take your pick!

https://www.nepaliproducts. com/collections/tibeti- soundboards

One of the well-known facts about Nepal is that it is one of the most popular areas among climbers. This is because many of the highest mountain peaks in the world are located in the Himalayas. Most of the mountain range lies in the territory of Nepal, so it is no wonder that Nepal is not only an important country from the point of view of Buddhism, but is also among the primary destinations for mountain climbers.

Climbing these huge peaks is one of the most exciting and at the same time dangerous challenges for mountaineers. It's no wonder that the mountain guides - Sherpas - have earned a prestigious rank among climbers.

In order to clearly see how important a good mountain guide is, the following table provides a clue. Here we can see how many deaths occurred in the six most dangerous peaks above 8,000 meters in Nepal in the proportion of successful summits until 2013.

Seeing the number and ratio of deaths compared to successful experiments, it is clear that a leader who knows the field well is key not only to success, but also to survival.

To a Westerner, a Sherpa is equivalent to a Himalayan mountain guide/porter. However, this is a mistake. Members of a local ethnic group are called Sherpas. The ethnic group lives in the eastern region of Nepal, in the highest inhabited areas of the country. It is probably due to this that a 2010 UCLA research concluded that the Sherpas have what researchers call the "super-athlete gene". This allows their bodies to utilize oxygen better than the average person. Most of the mountain guides come from this ethnic group, thanks to the place of residence at an altitude of 3,000-4,300 meters and the organization that is well adapted to the high altitude.

The Sherpas traditionally make a living from growing crops and raising livestock. Their local knowledge and their organization, which is well adapted to high-altitude conditions, made them key figures in the mountaineering tourism that developed from the beginning of the 20th century. To this day, most expeditions start with Sherpa mountain guides.

In the beginning, due to the lack of modern equipment, they carried the equipment of the expeditions on their backs, which claimed many lives. They still play an important role in carrying loads today, but it is important to point out that the sherpa is not only the burden bearer of the expedition. Thanks to their local knowledge and endurance, they lead most of the expeditions, and more than once they decide whether the inexperienced climber is allowed to continue. As experienced mountain guides, they know the signs well, and if they consider the attempt to conquer the summit dangerous, they will stop or turn back the expedition.

They are the key players in the ever-increasing popularity of Himalayan climbing tourism, even if an expedition or climber sets out to conquer the summit without them. This is due to the fact that they are the ones who check and maintain the climbing ladders and ropeways before the season.

A Sherpa was already part of the first conquest of Mount Everest. A large expedition started in 1953 to conquer the peak. Of the ten climbers, Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay successfully reached the goal. It is no wonder that the two of them successfully reached the summit, as this was the English beekeeper's fourth expedition to the Himalayas within two years. The composition of the climbing pair was no accident, Hunt, who led the expedition, originally intended to try to reach the summit with two people and to include the Sherpas in these pairs, thus proving that their performance is invaluable for the climbers.

Tenzing Norgay was already known for his summit conquests, the previous year he achieved a height record with a Swiss mountaineer that no one had ever done before. Among the members of the English expedition, he held the height record with this climb, which meant that he reached a point 1,200 meters higher than any other member of the expedition. The climbing was greatly helped by the fact that Hillary and Norgay developed a good relationship during the expedition, which allowed them to work together effectively.

They finally reached the summit at 11:30 on May 29, 1953, where they spent 15 minutes. Back in Kathmandu, they were under a lot of pressure to say who reached the summit first, but they decided not to share that information with the general public. As Hillary put it, it doesn't really matter to a climber who was first. Many times, the person who puts in the most effort to climb will step back when they reach the top and let their fellow climber reach the top first.

After this legendary climb, more and more people set out - and continue to set out to this day - to reach the peaks of the Himalayas. Mountain guides are playing an increasingly important role in the preparation, management and organization of these trips. As Rita Kami, one of today's sought-after Sherpa mountain guides, says, one of the most important parts of their job is to recognize whether the climber will be able to safely reach the set goal. This is especially important in higher altitude areas. As he says, after the 3rd camp, the trail is steep and dangerous, there is always the risk of an avalanche. If you have doubts about success, then you decide to turn back the expedition, because Everest will always be there for those who survive the expedition.

This is especially true in light of the fact that the number of not really experienced mountaineers is increasing, who set out to conquer the peak with more than necessary optimism. Some of the companies organizing the expedition tend to make it seem like climbing Everest is easy. As experienced mountaineer Alan Arnette says, climbing Everest is extremely risky for those arriving with minimal experience. Especially for them, hiring an experienced local mountain guide who knows the area, the weather and knows how to allocate oxygen can be a lifesaver.

Rita Kami, who has been working as a mountain guide since 1992 and holds the world record for the number of Everest climbs, set a new record twice this May. He reached the summit with 15 Chinese climbers on May 15 and 11 Indian climbers on May 21.

He says that the secret of his success is that he approaches the climb with the same respect and sincerity each time as if it were his first trip. For him, as for other Sherpa mountain guides, Everest is a deity. This is also reflected in the name given by the locals, Csomolungma, which means mother of the Earth god, which is treated with deep respect.

MESSAGES OF DIFFERENT BUDDHAS

Healing Buddha

A healing Buddha is an enlightened being who helps all living beings with unbiased compassion.

It protects them from physical and mental diseases and other dangers and obstacles and helps them eliminate the three poisons:

• excessive attachment
• the hatred
• and ignorance,

which are the source of all diseases and dangers.

He is usually seen in a sitting position, holding an aruna branch in his right hand, which is one of the most effective medicinal herbs and a wide-ranging antidote to diseases.

In her left hand held in her lap is a bowl full of healing nectar.

Zambala

In Tibetan Buddhism, Zambala is the god of wealth, the protector of material and spiritual economy and financial stability, who brings good luck, moral purity, long life, and increased intelligence.

It has five appearances that represent the essence and benefits of generosity, and their aspiration is to help the poor and the downtrodden.

Zambala is usually a pot-bellied male figure holding a mongoose in his left hand, which symbolizes strength, and a money bag under his hand.

Green Tara

The Green Tara occupies a special place among the statues, since, unlike the other statues, it is a female figure, the mother of all Buddhas.

Tara is the goddess of grace and compassion, who is freely available to everyone and takes under her patronage all those who suffer.

The Green Tara appears as a beautiful young woman wearing a crown decorated with five Buddha heads, seated on a lotus throne in a half-lotus posture, ready to jump whenever help is needed.

The lotus symbolizes the universe, the symbol of the soul, the birth of life, the unfolding of the chi hidden in the dark depths, thus representing freedom from suffering.

Czenrezi

Every person whose heart is moved by love and compassion, who acts deeply and sincerely for the good of others, without putting their own reputation or social status first, expresses the essence of Csenrézi.

Chenrezi is the most beloved of all Buddhist deities, except for the Buddha himself: he is considered the patron saint of Tibet, and his meditation is practiced in all branches of Tibetan Buddhism.

Whenever we feel passionate love for a person, an animal, or a part of nature, we experience our natural connection to Csenrézi.

Csenrézi's statues are usually four-armed, which symbolizes that his love and compassion can be found everywhere, which is why he is often seen in other depictions with a thousand arms and 11 heads.

Shakyamuni

When a Buddhist talks about Buddha, he is talking about Shakyamuni Buddha, also known as Siddhartha Gautama.

He was born as a prince 2,650 years ago, but leaving his wealth and palace behind, he meditated for years, during which he found the true meaning of life and finally achieved complete enlightenment, which is why he is the embodiment of enlightenment and teaching, and his teachings serve as the basis of today's Buddhism.

His sculptures depict Shakyamuni Buddha in different ways, with different hand gestures, sitting, standing, lying on his side or walking, representing different stages of his life and teachings.

Maitreya

According to Buddhist tradition, Maitreya is the future Buddha who will appear as a great spiritual leader and help find the path of virtue.

His main teaching will be loving-kindness, which will result in people giving up their deluded attitudes and harmful behavior.

Her most common depiction is that she is seated on a throne, awaiting the time when she will return, her hands held in front of her heart in a gesture of teaching, while she holds a lotus flower stalk between her thumb and forefinger, signifying her radiant power and purity.

Above Maitreya is a beautiful parasol, signifying that she offers shelter and protection to all beings.

Blessed Buddha

A typically seated figure, his right palm faces upwards and outwards, which has two different meanings:

• on the one hand, the raised right hand symbolically represents a shield,
• on the other hand, it shows the overcoming of fear, since whoever is protected by the shield is less afraid.

This statue represents courage and provides protection against fear, delusion and anger.

White Tara

Like Green Tara, she is a female figure, a symbol of longevity, but she is also known as the goddess of fertility and motherhood.

A forest goddess, she is usually associated with plant life, flowers, acacia trees and the wind.

Thanks to her connection with nature and plants, White Tara is a healing goddess who counteracts diseases, thereby helping to promote longevity and fertility.

She embodies compassion, and her relationship with the wind also means she is quick to respond to a call for help.

Most often, we can see his two arms resting on a lotus, eyes on his two feet and palms, and a third eye on his forehead, so he sees everything with his seven eyes.

Mahakala

Mahakala is not a Buddha, but a wrathful deity who repels monsters and defeats external and internal demons.

Mahakala is not bound by rules, he has the power to liberate space and time, to destroy living beings and the universe without mercy, because he is the personified form of time, so he is not bound to anything or anyone.

One of the strongest defenders, he comes into action when the other deities are no longer strong enough to repel attacks.

In the various forms of representation, a two-, four-, or six-armed deity has three eyes, his crown is decorated with eight skulls, and his figure is surrounded by flames.

How to place Buddha statues?

Buddha statues and images are not religious idols and do not represent any deity, their purpose is only to remind people of Buddha's teachings.

Buddha statues create a positive environment, but for this to happen, you need to choose the place of the statue carefully and pay attention to some basic things when placing the statue.

If we do this, the Buddha statue will increase the flow of energy in our home.

The unhindered flow of chi "life force" is what brings peace and tranquility to our environment.

When placing the statue, the following factors must be taken into account:

• if the statue is placed inside the apartment, it must be at least 75-80 cm high;
• the statue should face the front door, as it attracts positive energy and protects our home from negative energy;
• do not place the Buddha statue on the floor, in the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom;
• if we place the Buddha statue in the study room, make sure that it is placed in good light and is easily visible. It stimulates the flow of positive energy and enhances intellectual activity;
• full-figured Buddha statues always have more power than those depicting the head;
• the Buddha statue should be acquired in a positive spirit and with confidence;
• if we want to use the Buddha statue for meditation purposes, it is advisable to place it at eye level.

Offer something to your Buddha statue!

It is a nice gesture to treat the Buddha statue with respect and offer it something from time to time.

This means that we offer the best of ourselves to the best of our knowledge so that one day we ourselves can reach the higher level that the Buddha statue represents.

The act of gift-giving is an act of generosity, thus an emotional and physical expression of our respect.

We can offer many things, such as flowers, which are beautiful and when they fade, remind us of transience.

We can also offer a candle, with which we offer the radiation of our own mind and heart.

Remember: Buddhism is the path of wisdom, so we don't want to approach it with a vague, problem-filled soul, instead we offer the wisdom and brightness of our own mind to Buddha with the candle.

We can offer incense: incense has a calming effect on the mind, so when we offer incense, we offer our own peace to the Buddha.

Finally, by offering water in a small bowl, we offer purity of mind.

Water symbolizes goodness and virtue: we offer water because we do not want the purity of our minds to be tarnished by our actions, our thoughts and the words that leave our mouths.

We don't want our mind to be angry, it's like boiling water, we don't want our mind to be like dark, dirty water, that's why we always place clean, fresh water in front of the statue, which symbolizes that, that we strive for a clean and calm state.

Those who are lucky enough to visit Nepal as a tourist can have a lot of experiences. The country is extremely rich in attractions, be it the Himalayas beyond all imagination, local culture, religion, architectural and artistic heritage or handicrafts. It is natural that visitors here want to take a little piece of Nepal with them and remember the time spent here for a long time. The best way to do this is to visit the local shops and markets, which it would be a big mistake not to do, as these places further shade the image of the country.

Many different shops and markets can be found in Kathmandu and Pokhara, but there are also many shops in other cities of the country with the products of the well-known local artisans. Almost all markets are open from morning until late at night. If you are looking for high-quality and high-quality Buddhist souvenirs, you will notice after a while that many products have the same place of origin, with the city of Patan listed as the source.

The city of Patan, more recently called Lalitpur, is also known as the city of arts and is known for its rich artistic heritage and craft traditions. The vast majority of its population of 160,000 is engaged in the production of traditional handicrafts, most of which are used for Buddhist religious practice. One of the most important goals of local artisans is to help practice the dharma. According to their creed, the most valuable reward they can achieve is the happiness of dharma practitioners and their progress during religious practice. For centuries, the city has been known as the artistic center of Nepal, home to the country's most famous artisans and artists.

It is said that the city was designed and built based on the Buddhist Dharma Chakra (Wheel of Truth). There are four large stupas at the four corners of the city. They are said to have been built by the Indian emperor Ashoka when he arrived in the Kathmandu Valley on his pilgrimage 2,250 years ago. The four stupas still standing today are truly surrounded by the spirit of ancient times. It is interesting to note that there are 1,200 Buddhist monuments of various shapes and sizes in and around this city alone.

The most important point of the city is the Patan Durbar square in the center, the importance of which is shown by the fact that it is part of the UNESCO world heritage. The history of the square is lost in the mists of time, but the locals believe that its formation is due to the fact that two important ancient trade routes crossed here. What can be known for sure is that a flourishing city has spread here since ancient times. More accurate data can be found since the 1600s, when the Malla kings made major changes. Most of the current buildings date from his time. Patan's importance is not only due to its extremely rich arts and crafts industry, but also to the fact that it is the oldest Buddhist city.

However, nowadays it is not only the Buddhist religion that considers it one of the most important historical centers, but it is also an important center for the Hindu religion. Its importance is shown by the fact that there are 55 important churches and 136 courtyards in and around the main square. Most of the smaller courtyards are common areas surrounded by houses, which are used as both secular and religious spaces. Most of these courtyards have stupas, three-dimensional mandalas, and Buddha shrines. The larger courtyards are home to the monasteries. These are completely religious spaces and unlike the smaller courtyards, they are not open to the public. The great earthquake of 2015 caused serious damage, but they are constantly working on the reconstruction and the square can now be visited again.

In addition to the square, it is worth exploring the local craft workshops and shops. The workshops of artists and craftsmen can be found all over the city, just like the shops selling products made here. Patan is proud to have world-renowned thangka painters working in the city, whose works are exported to many countries. Metalworking is also very important. A significant part of the singing bowls and other metal objects worked here go to the country's most important Buddhist monasteries. But beyond that, many woodcarvers and potters also work in the city. These artisans are proud to preserve ancient traditions and create objects just as beautiful, sophisticated and intricate as their medieval predecessors. But not only the craftsmen, the master builders are also famous far and wide. One of the best examples of this is that Araniko, the famous architect who built the famous white stupa in Beijing, was born here in the 12th century. This building has a key role in Chinese culture because it introduced pagoda-style architecture to the country, according to locals.

Anyone who visits the city next to Kathmandu will find that it is much more rural than the capital. Its streets are narrower and there is much less vehicle traffic. Thanks to this, those who come from Kathmandu feel as if they are taking part in time travel. The brick-covered roads are lined with craft shops. There is a stupa or temple on almost every street corner. The city is a perfect place for art and history lovers. But you don't need to be an artist for the tourist to appreciate the beauty of Nepalese art and history, because in this city every road seems like a painting and every temple like a living sculpture. Art is the reason for the city's prosperity and the motivation for the locals every morning to start a new day.

Seventh Chakra: Crown Chakra or Sahasra Chakra

By working with the crown chakra, we can be reborn. We can experience a higher awareness, infinity, self-realization, fulfillment, inner connection with everything. We can participate in the rapture, the expansion of consciousness.

Questions to ask yourself: (If you touch any point, you should work on your crown chakra!)

-Are you at peace with yourself?

-Do you believe that your possibilities are endless, or do you cling to the illusion of control?

- Are you dissatisfied, dissatisfied?

-Do you approach unexpected events with an open and accepting attitude?

-Do you radiate calmness or do you live an arrogant self-centered life?

-Do you have a relationship with the Divine, or does your spiritual well-being depend on your material success?

-Are you often exhausted, confused, indecisive or depressed?

-Are you sensitive to infections?

Its location: it is located on the top of our head, at the middle selection points, looking upwards.

Body part: cerebrum

Color: violet, white, but can also be golden

Minerals: rock crystal, diamond, amethyst

Mental illnesses of the crown chakra:

- I lack the joy of life and energy, I often feel mentally exhausted

- I have a depressive mood, it is difficult for me to make decisions

-I would like to connect more with the Universe and open myself to spirituality

-I often have headaches, I suffer from chronic diseases, cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, I have epileptic seizures, my resistance is weak

- I think that everything ends with death

- I find it difficult to calm down and meditate

Physical diseases of the crown chakra:

Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, epilepsy, schizophrenia, suicide attempt

Sound therapy

The form of music: the music of the crown chakra is silence. In silence, our being remains alert and able to perceive the divine voice that can be heard throughout creation, and the power of love and harmony that is present in all manifestations of creation. But any other music that induces a state of silence can also have a positive effect on the crown chakra.

Vowel: the crown chakra is opened by the loud "m" sound. In India, this sound is classified as a vowel. It should be sung on the "H" note on the scale. It's like an endless summary of being without boundaries and systems. It represents the undivided unity, the pure, formless and boundless consciousness, in which all existing forms are dormant.

Mantra: OM

Seventh Chakra: Crown Chakra or Sahasra Chakra

By working with the crown chakra, we can be reborn. We can experience a higher awareness, infinity, self-realization, fulfillment, inner connection with everything. We can participate in the rapture, the expansion of consciousness.

Questions to ask yourself: (If you touch any point, you should work on your crown chakra!)

-Are you at peace with yourself?

-Do you believe that your possibilities are endless, or do you cling to the illusion of control?

- Are you dissatisfied, dissatisfied?

-Do you approach unexpected events with an open and accepting attitude?

-Do you radiate calmness or do you live an arrogant self-centered life?

-Do you have a relationship with the Divine, or does your spiritual well-being depend on your material success?

-Are you often exhausted, confused, indecisive or depressed?

-Are you sensitive to infections?

Its location: it is located on the top of our head, at the middle selection points, looking upwards.

Body part: cerebrum

Color: violet, white, but can also be golden

Minerals: rock crystal, diamond, amethyst

Mental illnesses of the crown chakra:

- I lack the joy of life and energy, I often feel mentally exhausted

- I have a depressive mood, it is difficult for me to make decisions

-I would like to connect more with the Universe and open myself to spirituality

-I often have headaches, I suffer from chronic diseases, cancer, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, I have epileptic seizures, my resistance is weak

- I think that everything ends with death

- I find it difficult to calm down and meditate

Physical diseases of the crown chakra:

Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, depression, epilepsy, schizophrenia, suicide attempt

Sound therapy

The form of music: the music of the crown chakra is silence. In silence, our being remains alert and able to perceive the divine voice that can be heard throughout creation, and the power of love and harmony that is present in all manifestations of creation. But any other music that induces a state of silence can also have a positive effect on the crown chakra.

Vowel: the crown chakra is opened by the loud "m" sound. In India, this sound is classified as a vowel. It should be sung on the "H" note on the scale. It's like an endless summary of being without boundaries and systems. It represents the undivided unity, the pure, formless and boundless consciousness, in which all existing forms are dormant.

Mantra: OM

TASK: CONTACT THE UNIVERSE

The sixth chakra: Third eye, Forehead chakra or Eye chakra

The forehead chakra is responsible for emotional intelligence, intuitive vision, intuition and wisdom. With the help of the sixth chakra, existence is consciously perceived. The forehead chakra is the seat of higher spiritual powers, intellect, clairvoyance, memory, and will, and at the level of the body, it is the control center of the central nervous system.

Questions to ask yourself: (If any point touches you, it is worth dealing with your forehead chakra. )

-Are we able to open ourselves to the transcendent world?

-Are we in touch with higher levels of consciousness?

-Do we use our intuition or do we think too logically and dogmatically?

-Does our reason win over our intuitions?

-Are we afraid to change our usual world?

-Can we find the answers to our questions in ourselves?

-Do we hear the voice of our inner voice, or do we not trust our inner wisdom?

- Do we have headaches, eye problems or nervous system disorders?

Attributes: This chakra is associated with idealism and imagination. If we can dream and see things, we can create.

Location: one finger above the root of the nose, in the middle of the forehead, opens forward.

Body parts: optic disc, pituitary gland, face, eyes, ears, nose, sinuses, cerebellum, central nervous system

Color: indigo blue or violet blue

Minerals: lapis lazuli, quartz, azurite, calcite

Mental diseases of the forehead chakra:

- I have difficulty getting in touch with my intuition

- I find it difficult to define my goals, I lack direction in my life

- I often find everything pointless, fear and depression take over me

- I have a problem with my concentration, I am unable to focus my thoughts on my work

- I would like to find the way to my fantasy

-Several headaches. I have problems with my vision or hearing

Harmonic functioning: clairvoyance, intellect, memory, intuition, imagination, spiritual healing, holistic view. Charismatic personality, not attached to material things. High artistic and aesthetic sense.

Hyperactivity: very logical, dogmatic thinking, authoritarian, arrogant, excessive rationalism.

Underfunctioning: undisciplined, afraid of success, tends to set the bar low. Dissociation, forgetfulness, stupidity, learning difficulties, hallucination.

Physical disorders of the forehead chakra:

Headache: It often indicates that we do not want to listen to our intuition

Vision problems: Eye problems indicate that we do not want to see or see something

Foresight: we need to focus more on the things that are close to us. The visionary wants to escape from the present to the future.

Short-sightedness: it means that it is important to keep our goals in mind and create internal images

Conjunctivitis: one would prefer to close one's eyes to something

Green macular: often develops in those who have hardened due to their inner suffering and their compassion barely works

Gray macular: develops in people who are afraid of the future and therefore see everything darkly. The affected person cannot open to the light.

Migraine: relatively common, the patient wants to please but only hears the sounds coming from the outside, instead of paying attention to the inside

sinus problems: in this case the head needs to be cleared, this also includes expressing our feelings by crying

Sound therapy: the form of music: any sound that calms and opens our soul, as well as evokes images or sensations of the cosmic space in us, is suitable for harmonizing and invigorating the forehead chakra. We mostly recommend New Age music, but some Eastern and Western classical music, especially the works of Bach, also have the same effect.

Mantra: KSHAM

The fifth chakra: Throat Chakra or Visuddha Chakra

When working with the throat chakra, work with communication, self-expression and creativity. Inner hearing, the power of choice, self-awareness, harmony, maximalism, dishonesty, and the inability to express emotions also belong here. Suppressed feelings, thoughts, unspoken words, wearing a mask, shallow chatter, open and honest communication are related to the throat chakra. If there are problems with the neck, nape of the neck, ears, bronchi, upper lungs, arms or thyroid gland, the throat chakra is responsible.

Questions to ask yourself: (If any point touches you, you should work on your throat chakra!)

-Are your thoughts in harmony with your feelings?

-Are you really expressing what's inside of you?

-Do you hear your inner voice?

-Are you in touch with your inner self or your inner leader?

-Are you able to show your weakness?

-Are you impressionable?

- Do you suppress your feelings and thoughts?

-Do you manipulate others?

-Do you want to meet other people's expectations?

Properties: Related to communication and expression. It can block you due to fear and anxiety. Ability to judge, critical sense.

Its location: It is located under the larynx, in the vicinity of the thyroid gland, starting from the cervical vertebra. It opens forward.

Body parts: trachea, neck, nape, jaw area, ears, nose, vocal organs.

Color: light blue or silver blue

Mineral: throat chakra healing stones: turquoise, opal, aquamarine, sapphire, lapis lazuli, chalcedony, iolite

Mental diseases of the throat chakra:

- I am shy, I often feel insecure

- I find it difficult to put my thoughts into words, to express my feelings, to express my opinion honestly

-Despite the fact that I have artistic tendencies, I often experience creative crises

-I often choose the wrong words and only later realize that I have hurt the other person

- I have a tendency to manipulate the other person or talk into their stomach

Diseases (physical disorders) of the throat chakra:

- Diseases of the throat chakra: sore throat, upper respiratory tract diseases, mouth sores, tonsil, larynx and thyroid gland complaints, vocal chorditis, muteness, deafness. Diseases that show weaknesses in the fifth chakra are various speech or locomotor problems

- Physical disorders: sore throat, upper respiratory diseases, mouth sores, tonsil, larynx and thyroid gland complaints, vocal chorditis, muteness, deafness

- Mental functions: creative self-expression, teaching, promise, decision-making, criticism,

- Hyperactivity: talkative, talkative,

- Dysfunction: poor speaking skills, shyness, silence

- Some diseases: asthma, bronchitis, neck pain, ear problems, thyroid problems, ringing in the ears, tinnitus, lung problems, cough, breathing problems, tonsillitis, colds, tongue problems, hoarseness

Sound therapy

The form of the music: music and singing rich in semitones, as well as sacred and meditative dances have an extremely invigorating effect on the neck chakra. Soothing New Age music enriched with echo effects is best suited for harmonizing and relaxing the fifth chakra. It brings relief and opens our inner hearing.

Vowel: the throat chakra is activated by the sound "é". It should be sung in the place of the "g" sound on the scale. If we move slowly from the sound "á" to the sound "i", after a while we will reach the sound "é". Just as the throat forms a connecting channel between the head and the body, so the "é" sound of the throat chakra connects the "á" and "i" sounds with each other, and leads the forces of these two sounds to the outside world. When singing the sound "é", we can observe how much force is required for this. The sound "é" activates the power of "expression" in our fifth chakra.

Mantra: HAM

TASK: LEARNING TO EXPRESS OUR FEELINGS

Fourth Chakra-Heart Chakra or Analhata Chakra

The heart chakra is responsible for compassion, unconditional love, joy, forgiveness, acceptance. Any problem related to the heart, spine, neck, chest, lungs, blood and skin can be assigned here.

Questions to ask yourself : (If you touch any point, it is worth dealing with your heart chakra.)

-Are you able to accept yourself and others unconditionally?

- Do you have anger, emotional dependence, disappointment, sorrow, guilt?

-Are you able to forgive and empathize?

-Do you have a fear of loss or rejection?

-Do you ever wallow in self-pity?

-Do you live in emotional dependence, do you want to replace love from the outside?

- Do you have a possessiveness, emotional insecurity, jealousy?

-Are you able to experience God's love?

- Do you radiate warmth, kindness and happiness with your being?

- Do you have indifference, lack of interest, internal imbalance?

Attribute: Associated with compassion, sympathy, love and harmony. The more open that chakra is, the more unconditional love it can give.

Location: middle of the chest at the height of the heart, opens forward

Body parts : heart, lungs, chest, thymus gland, blood and circulatory system, affects the immune system and the functioning of the endocrine glands, the part of the spine between the waist and the neck

Color: mainly green, emerald green, but pink and yellow are also included

Its mineral: amber is its healing stone. Other stones: tourmaline (not black), green jade, emerald, rose quartz

Diseases of the heart chakra : Diseases of the heart chakra are diseases related to the immune system and blood circulation, antibody formation, white blood cell formation, breast cancer, and finally the heart itself as an organ.

Physical disorders : diseases of the cardiovascular system, lung and breast cancer, asthma, pneumonia, upper back and shoulder problems, skin diseases

Mental functions: love, harmony, trust, hope, self-sacrifice.

Hyperactivity: possessive, jealous, dependent on others

Dysfunction: lonely, bitter, shy, critical

Some diseases: allergies, immunodeficiency, AIDS, cancer, infections, heart problems, blood circulation problems

Spiritual problems : they are primarily related to how well we are able to give and receive love. It shows itself in the forms with which we defend ourselves against love: bitterness, egoism, and hardness, which we can develop both against others and ourselves.

Mental diseases of the heart chakra:

-I feel lonely. I find it difficult to connect with others.

-Maybe there is one or two people whom I love with all my heart.

- I have relationship problems. I'm just after a breakup.

- I conform because I am afraid of rejection and loneliness.

- I would like to give myself and others more love.

- I feel exhausted after meeting my friends.

- I have heart problems. I suffer from circulatory disorders.

- I have breathing problems and asthma attacks. I often get respiratory colds.

Sound therapy : all kinds of classical, meditation and sacred music based on Eastern or Western traditions have an uplifting effect. It helps our hearts dance with the creatures of life, revives the power of love in us, and has an invigorating and harmonizing effect on us. Sacred or meditative dances have the same effect, in which the movements give real form to the joy and harmony of creation.

TASK: LEARN TO GIVE AND RECEIVE LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY.

The third chakra: Solar Plexus, Navel Chakra or Manipura Chakra

The navel chakra is responsible for self-confidence, or the lack of it, self-esteem, self-reliance, independence or lack of independence, self-acceptance and the strength of our personality. Fear of loneliness, insecurity, addictions, attachments, lack of mental strength, dependence on the recognition of others, violence and dominance, hypersensitivity and not seeing the meaning of life can also be linked to this chakra. Any digestive system problem, stomach, liver, spleen, gall bladder, nervous system, pancreas, diabetes, exhaustion, and excess weight in the abdomen can all be assigned to this chakra.

Questions for ourselves : (if any point touches you, it is worth dealing with your navel chakra)

-What is our task in this world?

- Why were we born?

-What is our relationship with ourselves?

-What spiritual, emotional or physical addictions do we have?

-What or who do we cling to?

-What are our relationships with others like?

-Are we able to represent ourselves?

-We are broken, are we moody?

-Are we satisfied with our lives?

- Do we have energy for everything?

- Do we want to meet others or society's expectations?

Property:

The chakra of the abdominal nerve center is related to the intensity of our feelings and our personal power. The self-image, the chakra of self-esteem. The balance of personal feelings ensures that we think clearly and are confident. When out of balance, anger becomes a place of temper.

Its location: two fingers above the navel, opens forward.

Body parts: waist, abdominal cavity, digestive system, stomach, liver, gall bladder, spleen, autonomic nervous system

Minerals: tiger's eye, topaz, amber, citrine

Color : yellow to golden yellow

Mental illnesses of the navel chakra:

-I often lose control over my emotions

- I find it difficult to convey my will, I have a hard time taking criticism

- I am prone to fear, I struggle with nightmares and sleep disorders

- my stomach is often hard and crampy

- all the strain and stress goes to my stomach

- I regularly struggle with digestive problems and stomachaches

-I have balance disorders and eating problems

Physical diseases of the navel chakra: abdominal pain, intestinal tumor, diabetes, inflammation of the pancreas, indigestion, anorexia, hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, arthritis, diseases of the colon.

Sound therapy : the form of music: the third chakra is activated by fiery rhythms. The harmonious interplay of orchestral music is very suitable for balancing the solar plexus. In case of excessive functioning, it is recommended to listen to any relaxing and soothing music.

TASK: LEARNING TO RULE OUR EMOTIONS AND SELF-ESTEEM, FURTHER TO CONTROL LUST AND WILL, HANDLING AGGRESSION, EXERCISING POWER, LEARNING SUBMISSION.