Tingsha Before and After a Singing Bowl Session - Why and How
Ring the tingsha at the two ends of a singing bowl session: two or three soft rings to open, and one clear ring to close. The singing bowls carry everything in between.
Key takeaways
- To open: incense, then a prayer, then tingsha, then the first bowl.
- To close: a quiet rest, then one ring of the tingsha.
- How: edge to edge, softly, and let each ring fade.
- Why: one bright sound marks the start and the end.
Where do tingsha sit in a session?
Tingsha are a marker, not the main instrument. Their high, bright ring sounds nothing like a bowl, so everyone knows a change has come.
How do you open a session?
In the way I was taught, a session begins with incense, then a prayer, then tingsha, and only then the first strike of the bowl.
| Step | What you do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Incense | Light it first and let it settle | Marks the line between ordinary time and practice time |
| 2. Prayer | A short intention, spoken or silent | By tradition, so the energy flows from crown to leg |
| 3. Tingsha | Two or three soft rings, moving in a circle | By tradition, clears the space and signals the start |
| 4. Bowl | The first soft strike | The session begins |
There is a plain reason too. You cannot settle another person while you are unsettled yourself, and these few steps give the player time to arrive.
Ask before you light incense for someone else. Our guide to incense and singing bowl healing explains more.
How do you close a session?
- Stop the bowls and let the last sound fade fully.
- Keep a quiet rest. With a client, I keep about six minutes of quiet before waking them.
- Ring the tingsha once, softly, a little away from the person's head.
- Wait for the ring to fade before you speak.
The course lesson on closing a sound healing session covers the full ending.
Looking for tingsha?
See our Tibetan tingsha, handmade in Nepal. Sunita chooses the sound of your pair after the order arrives.
How do you ring tingsha correctly?
- Hold the cord close to each cymbal, one in each hand.
- Touch edge to edge with a light tap.
- Let them swing apart so the ring is free.
- Wait for silence before the next ring.
Our tingsha information page and the Tibetan tingsha guide explain the instrument itself.
Which tingsha and bowls work together?
| If you want | Look at |
|---|---|
| A plain bronze pair | Bronze Tibetan tingsha |
| A pair with a mantra | Mantra embossed tingsha |
| A full moon pair | Full moon tingsha |
| Bowls for the session | Singing bowl sets |
| One bowl made your way | Custom singing bowl |
| Incense holders and other items | Tibetan accessories |
What are the common mistakes?
- Clapping them flat: face to face, the ring is stopped at once.
- Ringing too loud: tingsha are sharp, so a light tap is enough.
- Ringing near the ear: keep them away from a resting person's head.
- Rushing the end: ringing before the quiet rest is finished.
- Too many rings: the marker loses its meaning.
What should you do next?
- Set up the room: read singing bowl setup for a sound bath.
- Try a short session: follow the 10 minute bowl session.
- Learn the whole method: take the free singing bowl healing course.
Frequently asked questions
When do I ring the tingsha in a session?
At the two ends. Ring them softly two or three times to open, after the incense and the prayer, and once to close, after the quiet rest.
Why ring tingsha before a singing bowl session?
By tradition the tingsha clear the space and signal the start. In plain terms, one bright sound tells everyone, including the person playing, that the session has begun.
Why ring tingsha after a singing bowl session?
The bright ring brings attention back to the room. It is a gentle way to tell a person that the session is over.
How many times should I ring the tingsha?
Two or three soft rings to open and one ring to close. Let each ring fade before the next.
How do you play tingsha correctly?
Hold the cord close to each cymbal and let the two edges touch lightly. Then let them swing apart so the ring can fade on its own.
Do I need tingsha for a singing bowl session?
No. Three quiet strikes on a singing bowl will also open a session. Tingsha give a clear marker that sounds different from the bowls.
Can I use tingsha in the middle of a session?
You can, to bring attention back if the mind wanders. Keep it to a single soft ring so it does not startle a person who is resting.
Learn to open and close a session
Our free singing bowl healing course teaches the full session, from the first ring to the last.
