Inner Practice Timer™ – How It Began

The Silent Timer™ arose from my need for a meditation timer to use in my personal practice of qigong, prayer, and meditation. Wanting a timer that met my practice requirements, I designed the Silent Timer™ to be flexible and versatile, as well as simple and easy to use. The Silent Timer™ offers a wide choice of precisely timed periods of silence that end with the soulful sound of the Tibetan singing bowl.

In the time since the Silent Timer™ was developed, I have found it to be useful in many more ways than I had originally intended. I truly hope it serves you as well as it serves me.

~ Ben

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The Tibetan Singing Bowl

Tibetan singing bowls have a long history of ceremonial and ritual use in Tibet and Nepal. Bowls are played using a wooden mallet. One end of the mallet is often wrapped in wool, while the other end is bare wood. A bowl can be played two different ways:

1. The exposed wooden end of the mallet is rubbed around the outer rim of the bowl in a continuous, circular motion causing the bowl to vibrate which produces over-tones or “singing”.

2. The bowl is tapped or struck on its side with the wrapped end of the mallet producing beautiful gong-like tones. These tones are often described as soothing, calming, relaxing, comforting, and peaceful. This is the method that was used for the Silent Timer™ recording.

The bowl used for the Silent Timer™ is an antique that dates to the 18th century. Like all high quality Tibetan singing bowls, it produces its own complex blend of harmonic overtones. I felt that these tones, neither too low nor too high, would be most appropriate for gently rousing one from a period of silence.

The bowl was recorded in a manner to reflect a real-use setting and ambiance. It is my hope that this recording conveys a sense of the bowl “being there” with you each time you use it.

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The Tingshaws

Tingshaws might be described as small cymbals. Two tingshaws, attached to each other by a cord, are struck together. Tingshaws are often used to help cleanse and clear a space of negative energy, as well as to prepare for meditation.

My friend KC tells a wonderful story about the tingshaws used for the Silent Timer™ recording:

 

In 1989 I traveled to Nepal. I was wandering around the outskirts of Kathmandu and came upon a small square where there were some vendors with temple articles and jewelry for sale.

I was looking for bracelets, I think, and then became attracted to a singing bowl and then to the tingshaws. I picked up several tingshaws and tried them for the sound. I was trying to decide what I wanted when a monk strolled up to me and smiled. He took the tingshaws which I was holding, played them and shook his head, no. First he proceeded to test out another pair and then picked up the ones I now have. He played them for me, holding them so that I could hear and feel the tone for a long time. He smiled and nodded and chuckled as he handed them to me . . . definitely signaling that these were the ones I was looking for.

I was surprised as I did not expect a monk to approach me, and felt blessed that he had aided me in such a playful way. So I bought the tingshaws for a small amount and voila!!

. . . I can still picture him and the twinkle in his eye!!

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Thank you to KC in the Old Pueblo, Lisa in the Emerald City, and MiLo in the Barrio.

Dedication
This website is dedicated to my parents who have always been such wonderful examples of Unconditional Love.