S a c r e d S o un d
M
y first introduction to Singing Bowls was in mid 1980’s, when I was very tanned and much younger. I had been living on the banks of Mother Ganga just upstream of Rishikesh India would enjoy heading into town to explore. I loved to cross the Laxman Jhula bridge and walk among the Ashrams and temples on the other side of town. The aroma of incense still fills my nose. I walked freely among the street Wallahs, shop keepers and through the markets until I came upon a narrow shop and there among the shelves of sacred statues, incense holders and prayer flags, was a large heavy singing bowl. She (the bowl), and I had danced a few times before. I imagined that save for my visits, she was almost forgotten among the other items of the shops wares. She held the soft glow of age and while thoughts of polishing the patina would reveal her bright metal, somehow I knew she was perfect just the way she was. Her song was simple at first and yet as I played her, she revealed more, harmonics, overtones and short bursts of harmonic tones that felt like audible caresses. In our time together she seemed to share a strange deeper knowing. She showed me something familiar about myself . Even the store owner would come over and stand with me. There was something occurring beyond the tones, beyond the harmonics. I can tell you that every cell in my body became vibrant as her sound moved throughout my pathways. She calmed and electrified me in the most pleasant of ways. I still remember the feeling in my forearms and chest, her sound grounding out through my feet. She felt alive. It must have seemed inevitable that one day I would find myself in the shop looking at an empty shelf, she was gone. Someone had appreciated her as much as I, perhaps more. The shop Wallah shrugged his shoulders with a look of “you should have bought it”. He was right, I miss that bowl. So fast forward to today, within my sacred bundle there are over 40 Metal and Crystal singing bowls, gongs and a medley of chimes. My car has logged 100’s of thousands of kilometers carrying me to a 1000’s of Ceremonies. It is now my home that smells like incense and among my sacred objects is a beautiful 2’ bronze statue of Green Tara whose refined grace reminds me of where I am capable of more. The bowls and I have been and active part of Sacred Teachings, swam with dolphins, held ceremonies with horses and been guests at a Sundance and now traveling overseas. They have become extensions of my walking meditation and flow into each Group and Personal Ceremony. Truly, these majestic instruments fill the room with an incredible yet gentle sound and bring each event to life. It is a sensation that fills the very core of each participant and assists or deepens one’s meditation.
This March 6th, 6 to 8pm at Adi Shakti in Orleans, I have the distinct pleasure of sharing Sacred Sound with the very gifted Debbie Danbrook who’s Shakuhachi flute and Angelic Voice always speak for themselves. Debbie and I alternate between Toronto and Ottawa monthly and it is always a special event when we come together. This March 6th event at Adi Shakti in Orleans is just weeks before the Spring Equinox and proves to be every bit as special. While I love my bowls, characters all, I know that bowl from Rishikesh revealed a deeper template by which all my bowls easily share. The memory of that bowl reminds me of what a bowl can do. I must confess that I check every shop that sells bowls, I chime and sing many keeping an ever watchful eye out for her, you never know one day she may join the bundle. www.seraphimsupportedsound.com Ottawa: 613.296.6321 Adi Shakti www.adishaktiyogacentre.com 613-824-9189
2nd Floor, 1445-A Youville Dr, Orléans, Updates & Upcoming Ceremonies, go to Seraphim Supported Sound in Facebook
March 2016
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