Understanding Mindfulness Bell Volume 1

The timing of the bell-strikes are an essential part of what makes Mindfulness Bell Volume 1 such an effective meditation aid. Each time the bell is struck, it rings for about 40 seconds. During the first 5 minutes the sound never completely fades away; the bell is struck again before it fades to silence. Gradually the gap between each bell-strike is increased, allowing the listener to experience longer and longer moments of complete silence. By the 15 minute mark, silent spaces of around 15 seconds have opened up between each bell strike, and the overall volume has become a little quieter. By the 30 minute mark, these silent spaces have increased to 25 seconds and the volume is reduced just a little more. Beyond the 30 minute mark, each 40 second bell sound is separated by 40 seconds of silence.

In this way, Mindfulness Bell Volume 1 gradually trains the mind to become more and more attuned to a state of silence. It provides a measured amount of stimulation that gradually recedes, allowing the listener to enter into deeper and deeper states of meditation.

User Tips for Mindfulness Bell Volume 1

Simply absorb your attention in the sound of the mindfulness bell. No mantra is required, no special breathing techniques are needed, just let your awareness be consumed by the sound of the bell. Your mind will become clearer and more calm with every bell strike, and as the bells fade into silence, your mind is given the opportunity to experience a very natural state of stillness. This bell actually encourages your mind to become still and silent, yet alert.

Recommended Uses – Royalty Free

Mindfulness Bell Volume 1 was released on a royalty free basis so that professional teachers & therapists may play it publicly (for example, while teaching a class on meditation). But of course, it may also be used in any other way that our standard license terms permit.

Further commentary from Christopher

Each and every bell has its own unique sound. Some are quite unmusical, whereas others have harmonics that mingle beautifully. Some oscillate too quickly or in awkward patterns that are distracting, whereas others oscillate gently and with a tempo that is deeply relaxing. Some bells are shrill and really clang when they are struck, some others are too boomy.

To me, bell sounds are something that can be appreciated in the same way that some people appreciate fine wine. The texture of a bell sound, its harmonic structure, its tonal balance and the way it sustains are just some of the sonic components that comprise an aural experience that can range from dissonant and disturbing, to pure, sublime and transcendent.

I spent a ridiculous amount of time sampling bells and bowls before I found the sound I was looking for, and I’m glad I was as patient as I was fussy. I still love the sound of this meditation bell and find it incredibly soothing.

The Tibetan singing bowl I selected for Mindfulness Bell Volume 1 has all the qualities of a perfect meditation bell. It’s never shrill, clangy or boomy, and when stuck it sings effortlessly. Its two most prominent harmonics oscillate with a low delta frequency of 0.5 Hertz, and at a delta frequency of 4 Hertz. (You can hear these oscillations pulsing away in the audio sample). Much like the effect of binaural beats, these oscillations are deeply relaxing and can actually help to guide the listeners brainwave activity into a state of deep meditation.