The Legacy of Santa Ratna Shakya: A Singing Bowl Maestro

Learn about Santa Ratna Shakya, a third-generation Singing Bowl Maestro, dedicated to global sound healing with his innovative Full Moon Singing Bowls.

Introduction

Santa Ratna Shakya is a third-generation Singing Bowl Maestro, carrying the rich heritage of the Kassa minority from the traditional metals artisans of Nag Bahal in the ancient Newari city of Patan, within the Kathmandu Valley. Known for his dedication to the craft and his role as a healer, Santa Ratna Shakya has traveled extensively, sharing the sacred art of singing bowl healing therapy with thousands of students worldwide. This article looks into his background, his contributions, and the lasting legacy he upholds.

Family Heritage and Cultural Roots

Santa Ratna Shakya hails from a family deeply rooted in traditional healing and music. His grandfather was a spiritual healer with extensive knowledge of medicinal plants, minerals, and metals. He was also a master of the traditional "Khin" drum, making his instruments and teaching this skill to the younger generation. Santa's father continued this legacy as a traditional musician and teacher of musical instruments. This culturally vibrant family heritage deeply influenced Santa, leading him to embrace sound healing with the singing bowl from a very young age.

Santa belongs to the Kassa minority, a group of traditional metal artisans from Nag Bahal in the ancient Newari city of Patan, located in the Kathmandu Valley. The title "Kassa" was bestowed upon these artisans for their highly specialized skill in working with a seven-metal alloy and Bronze Alloy. This rich cultural heritage laid the foundation for Santa's journey into sound healing with singing bowls from a very young age. Santa Ratna Shakya is a key bearer of this important cultural heritage. The seven metals used in Kassa are copper, tin, zinc, lead, iron, silver, and gold. This tradition has been carefully handed down through generations, ensuring the purity and quality of each creation.

Global Influence and Teachings

Santa Ratna Shakya has traveled to over half the countries across the globe, teaching sacred singing bowl healing therapy to thousands of students worldwide. He continues to dedicate his energy to imparting peace, love, and education through this practice.

The knowledge and practices he teaches are linked to the principle of achieving physical and spiritual peace through the meditative and healing aspects of sound. His approach focuses on releasing pressure from various focal centers of spiritual energy (chakras) in the human body to heal mental burdens.

The Invention of Full Moon Singing Bowl

In the vibrant tapestry of Nepali culture, the Full Moon Singing Bowl holds a unique and respected position. These bowls are a result of Santa Ratna Shakya's unparalleled craftsmanship and the special rituals involved in their creation. The Full Moon Singing Bowl is named for its close connection to the moon during its creation process, which imbues each bowl with profound spiritual significance.

The creation of a Full Moon Singing Bowl begins with the purification of both body and mind. Artisans perform a ceremonial "Puja," venerating the genesis of these extraordinary bowls. The metal blend, crucial to their creation, is delicately heated in a furnace under the luminous glow of the Full Moon. This essential step occurs exclusively under natural moonlight and clear skies, aligning with nature’s patterns and cosmic cycles. If clouds block the full moon, the work is postponed until the next month. This meticulous process harnesses the mystical energy of the moon, creating bowls that are rich in spiritual significance and exceptional craftsmanship.

These bowls are composed of seven metals: Lead, Tin, Iron, Copper, Zinc, Silver, and Gold. These bowls are made from metals that are completely pure(not recycled) to maintain the pristineness. The composition has a high concentration of Tin that contributes to the high quality of the Full Moon singing bowls allowing it to produce sounds of highest quality. This composition mirrors the alignment with our seven energy centers, or Chakras. Over the ages, Full Moon Singing Bowls have been used as instruments for healing and meditation. Their harmonious sounds resonate deeply, fostering equilibrium within the body, mind, and soul, and reinstating a sense of serenity and balance. The Full moon singing bowls are enriched with Kassa engravings in Newari. 

Collaborations and Contributions

Santa Ratna Shakya has worked with many artists and musicians from Nepal, including the famous Aani Choying Dolma. His expertise and innovative approach have resulted in eight best-selling meditational albums: Clear Light, Open Mind, The Path, Bhougolic Awaz, Dreams of Sound, Vision of Third Eye, Dhyana, and Dhyana Aman. These albums have played a significant role in popularizing the healing and meditative aspects of singing bowls.

Santa's deep knowledge and skills have been recognized and documented in various publications. He is the subject of the book "Singing Bowl: Tuning the Mind, Healing the Body," and many other works, including college thesis papers, have been written about him globally. His contributions to the field of sound healing have not only preserved this ancient tradition but also expanded its reach and impact.

The Healing Power of Singing Bowls

Santa's approach to singing bowl therapy involves cleansing the body's aura and creating a shield against negative energy. This process helps reduce anxiety, depression, mental fatigue, and insomnia. The therapeutic use of singing bowls focuses on releasing pressure from various focal centers of spiritual energy (chakras) in the human body, helping in the separation of the physical self from the cosmic self.

While the scientific and medical communities continue to research and understand the therapeutic effects of singing bowls, many practitioners and patients confirm their benefits. Sound healing, an old practice, is increasingly recognized for its potential to support emotional and psychological well-being. It may not cure diseases, but it has shown to greatly improve a person's overall sense of peace and relaxation.

The Future of Singing Bowl Healing

Santa Ratna Shakya continues to inspire and teach new generations of practitioners, ensuring the preservation and growth of this art. His foundry remains dedicated to producing high-quality Full Moon singing bowls, maintaining the tradition of purity in materials and sound. Mr. Santa Ratna Shakya innovates by creating special types of bowls dedicated to particular healing practices. One such innovation is the new "Stupa Bowl," designed for high chakra healing in individual sessions. Additionally, there are the "New Moon Bowl" and the "Nirvana Bowl," each crafted to enhance specific aspects of your healing journey.

As more people around the world seek comfort and healing through sound therapy, the legacy of Santa Ratna Shakya and the Kassa tradition will undoubtedly continue to grow and flourish.

Conclusion

Santa Ratna Shakya's journey as a Singing Bowl Maestro is a living proof to the enduring power of cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and healing. Through his global teachings, collaborations, and innovative creations, he has not only preserved the ancient art of Kassa but also expanded its reach, bringing peace and healing to countless individuals worldwide. Santa Ratna Shakya's legacy is a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity, resonating deeply with those who seek the transformative power of sound.