The Meditation Bell Meaning and Use?

The use of the bell in meditation is not just to add pleasant sounds to your practice. They can help clear your room and give you a heightened experience during your meditation. This article is going to clearly show you how you can use them for practical and spiritual reasons.

What is the meaning of the meditation bell? The sound of the meditation bell marks the start and the end of your meditation session; it clears your space of negative energy, is used as an object of focus for concentration and brings ritual and ceremony in to your meditation practice.

Ringing and choosing the right meditation bell can seem like a simple process. But it’s important to understand why they are used, the symbolism behind the rituals and what is the best bell for you as a beginner.

What is the Meditation Bell Meaning and Use

The Meditation bell has been used for hundreds of years for different purposes. Their use is both practical and spiritual. They are still used today in certain cultures that practice meditation.

Practical Use

In the most basic forms bells are used to communicate information. Large bells can be heard from a great distance and summoned monks to prayer and temple ceremonies. Small bells are used in meditation practice to signify the beginning and end of the meditation.

The sound of the bell is an important part of meditation, as it gives the mind and body a Pavlovian type response to be ready, alert and relaxed. This habit helps your mind to change states quickly, from busy outside life, to the calm of your meditation space.

The bell is also used to bring people into the present moment. One of the traits of human nature is to be caught in the past or the future. The bell is the calling forth of the mind into the here and now so you can experience the power of the present moment.

The sound of the bell can be used as a focus object during your meditation practice. The bell’s sound is used as a place for the mind to rest and focus. As your mind starts to wander off into random thoughts, the bell gently brings your mind back.

The sound of the meditation bell brings a calming and tranquil atmosphere into the meditation space. This positive energy can affect you on a visceral level, giving your body a signal to let go, relax and become absorbed within the sound.

Spiritual Symbolism

Meditation bells are deeply ingrained in the spiritual practice of Buddhist meditation. The bell’s sound symbolizes the Buddha’s voice calling to heavenly deities for protection.

The bell also represents the Bodhisattva, who is the ideal of a person who has reached enlightenment. But through compassion, decided not to ascend to Nirvana, but stays to help all living beings.

Bodhisattva which translated from Sanskrit means “Enlightenment Being.”

The bell is Bodhisattva calling mediators back into the awareness of the present moment.

The bell adds a powerful ritualized component to meditation. Rituals are important as they evoke a deep sense of connection and oneness with the divine. They also help the mind and body to become ready and receptive for meditation practice.

Like getting ready for bed, you just wouldn’t feel comfortable jumping into bed with your work clothes and shoes. You brush your teeth, put on your PJ’s and turn off the lights. This ritual creates a psychological and physical readiness for sleep. The bell adds this ritual process to your daily meditation practice.

The bell also signifies of uniting harmony of the feminine and masculine, which combined lead the meditator to a path of enlightenment and pure wisdom.

This enlightenment springs from the harmony of both sides of the mind uniting.

The left hemisphere being the logical, analytical, masculine side, and the right hemisphere the emotional, creative, feminine side. When these sides are truly aligned the meditator will have true wisdom to make decisions.

Bells can be found at the entrance of many ancient Buddhist temples, these bells must be rung before entering toward off any negative energy. This is the same process where bells are rung throughout a meditation space, to create this sense of clearing in cleansing the negative vibrations, so the meditation space is clear and filled with positive spiritual energy.

How Meditation Bells Vibrate Sound and Positive Energy

Meditation bells not only bring a lovely sound into your meditation but they also clear the space. When a bell is struck it starts to vibrate, this vibration is caused by the bell flexing inwards and outwards in a rapid motion. This movement causes sound waves specific to that bell, which bring attuned energy into your meditation space.

As the meditation bell flexes inward and outward it is pulling and pushing the surrounding air around it creating a wave travelling up to 767 mph (1,235 km). These wave flood through your ear’s tympanic membrane (eardrum), vibrate their beautiful tones through your mind and gently float their energy around your body.

They also emanate and ripple through your meditation space, like you throwing a pebble into a still lake. This vibrational energy resonates out into the surrounding space, clearing any negative vibration by replacing them with positive bell resonance.

Think sound waves are not affecting your mind and body?

Ever felt the heavy base sound wave at your favorite music festival?

Even if you are skeptical about how the bell vibration’s work, there’s no denying they have a lovely sound, which creates a calm tranquil and serene environment to meditate.

How to Use the Meditation Bell for Mindfulness

Meditation bells can be used for mindfulness, they are a powerful way to increase concentration, find clarity in your mind and calm your emotions.

As you begin your meditation, allow the gentle sound of meditation bell to gently resonate, feel the deep tone of the bell as it resonates around you and through you. Allow yourself to listen to the bell is sound, don’t judge it, or start to analyze what you’re hearing, justly your attention and mind rest gently upon it.

Allow your attention to step inside the sound and listen to each individual vibration, tone and resonating quality. Don’t judge yourself,  just allow yourself to listen to the sounds as it washes over you.

During the meditation your mind may start to wander, this is normal.  Just bring your mind back to the gentle sound of the bell. When you finish the meditation there is no rush to open your eyes or stand up. Just allow yourself to come out of the meditation as you feel ready.

Below is a five-minute Bell Meditation, try for yourself.

Listen to the video and follow the five easy How to Steps.

How to Meditate using a Meditation Bell

1. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position.
2. Close your eyes or leave them open with a soft gaze.
3. Allow your attention to focus and rest on the sound of the bell.
4. As you notice your mind wandering.
5. Gently bring your mind back to the sound of the bell.

 

Types of Meditation Bells

1. Tingsha Bells

The Tingsha bells, also known as Tibetan prayer bells, are mainly used to awaken awareness and stimulate the healing process. The Tingsha bells originate from Tibet and have been used for centuries in the Himalayan region for various religious ceremonies.

The Tingsha Bell’s Artwork Symbolism

The eight favorable symbols on the Tingsha bells represent an enlightened mind and good fortune.

1. Golden fishes – these represent breathing during the meditation practice and freedom
2. Parasol – this symbol represents the protection from harm and sickness
3. Treasure Vase – this represents empowerment, health, longevity, and prosperity
4. Lotus – this represents the purity of the body, mind, and speech
5. Conch Shell – this represents taking care of yourself and ongoing education
6. Endless Knot – this represents your future and how your present decisions will impact your future outcome
7. Victory Banner – this represents attaining happiness and overcoming defeat
8. Dharma Wheel – this represents the ongoing journey to self-improvement

The Tingsha bells are made with a blended thick metal cymbols tied together with a piece of leather rope. They are usually about 3 to 4 inches in diameter. The beautiful sounds Tingsha bells make usually take about 15 to 30seconds to gradual fade and the pitch of the sound differentiates according to the size of the Tingsha bells. Tingsha bells that are smaller in size produce a more thin, pure sound whereas the larger Tingsha bells produce a lower tone which lasts longer.

2. Modern Meditation Bells

Modern bells were inspired by the ancient bells; however, they have less imperfections. Most modern meditation bells are plain with a wooden handle; however, some modern meditation bells have symbols on it. These symbols include dots, leaves, rings, stars. Modern bells vary in construction, size and weight of the bell. It is important to test each one and to see which one is more pleasant to your ears.

Although the other bells are usually used the most is religious rituals, the modern meditation bells usually have a more pure, pleasant and harmonic sound compared to the others bells due to their perfect shape and balance. Modern bells are usually manufactured free from imperfections resulting in a longer lasting and more consistent sound. However, modern bells differ in the pitch each bell produces, the construction quality, and the overall weight of the bell.

3. Standing Bells (Inverted Bells)

Standing bells are used for meditation and chanting, relaxation and spirituality. Standing bells originated in China and were once called nao bells. Standing bells often have inscriptions of goodwill, and symbols such as dots, leaves, rings, stars. In Chinese tradition, the standing bell was made either from bronze or cast-iron. However, more recently have been made from an alloy of copper and tin. The sounds from the standing bell is produced by either striking or by rubbing the wooden mallet against the rim.

4. Tibetan Prayer Bells

The Tibetan bell, also known as the Buddhist bell, is used to represent wisdom and skillfulness and for clearing the space. The Tibetan prayer bells originated in Tibet. The artwork on the Tibetan bell is very symbolic. The Tibetan bell is made from an alloy of metals and is used with a metal Vajra. These bells vary in quality, size and material. The Tibetan bell produces a bright bell sounds, however, because these bells are hand made and have imperfections, some bells can let off a harsh sound.

Meditation Techniques that use Bells

1. Tibetan Buddhist

Tibetan Buddhism uses meditation bells to show affection to Buddha. This is known as a ritual of accumulating positive karma.

2. Vipassana

Vipassana uses meditation bells to dissolve issues and clear the mind. Vipassana uses a meditation bell at the start and the end of the meditation practice.

3. Japanese

The Japanese culture use the divine to ward off negative energy and to call on protection.

4. Zen

When practicing Zen meditation, the meditation bell is used to mark the start and the ending of the meditation practice.

5. Hindu

Hindu culture has meditation bells are hung outside of temple doors. Ringing the bell before entering the temple disengages your mind from any ongoing thoughts and to clear your headspace.

What are the Best Meditation Bells for Beginners?

The modern meditation bell would be best suited style for a beginner. The modern bell has more sophisticated construction and crafting process. This extra quality gives the bell a richer more sustained tone when rung. This bell is rung from the top by the handle. The simpler and easier the bell is to use, the more attention a beginner can give to their meditation practice.

The most important part of the meditation bell is used, to enhance the meditation process. More fancy decorated bells or ancient type bells may look the part, but they are not essential when you first start to meditate. As your meditation practice improves let yourself start to experiment with different bells.

What’s the Difference between a Meditation Bell and Singing Bowl?

Meditation bell has a dome like shape that are held in the hand or hung so they can be struck by an object to cause the bell to sound. The bell played by a physically movement and continually rung or swung back forth to keep a continuous ringing sound.

Singing bowls are inverted type bells that sit flat on a surface with no movement. Rather than the bell hanging inverted on a handle, the singing bowl looks similar to a medium kitchen bowl, only made from bronze alloy. The singing bowl is played when the rim is gently rubbed with a mallet in circular motion. Think of moving your finger around the rim of a wine glass, this is a similar process to how sound is created with singing bowls.

The main difference between a meditation bell and a singing bowl is the length of the tone. A bell must be struck or rung several times to sustain a long tone. The singing bowl can create continuous endless tone as long as the rim is being firmly rubbed.

Related Questions

What Is A Gong Meditation?

The gong meditation uses the vibration and sounds of a large gong to enhance your meditation experience. The gongs waves radiate out into the room bathing you in healing and rejuvenating sounds.

What Is Candle Meditation?

Candle meditation, also known as Trataka, has been around since 3000 years BC. Fire is known to be hypnotic and enter you into a trance state. During candle meditation the candle gives your mind place to focus and rest.