Kathmandu, Aug. 14 -- "Close your eyes and keep your muscles loose," said Santa Ratna Shakya, a singing bowl sound healer based in Boudha. Nicholas Edwardo Blanch, his student from Chile, following his words, sits comfortably cross-legged. His eyes are closed as Shakya begins the cleansing aura therapy with a singing bowl.
Shakya strikes the big metallic bowl with his fist, and a peaceful sound reverberates through the room as he slowly moves the pot that is placed in his palm to Blanch's right ear and then gently to his left and then towards his forehead from where he moves the bowl down to his navel and up again near his heart. The process, Shakya claims, cleanses body aura and creates a shield to protect the body from worldly negative e...