Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A F A L L | 2 0 1 4 1 3 Gal ing Bowl to establish calm. "As I'm playing, I'm listening to see how the body is reacting," she notes, adding that she is always amazed at the power of such gentle work: "People are tremendously altered in a short timeframe." So, apparently, are elephants. On a recent trip to Thailand, Chambers visited the Patara Elephant Farm in Chang Mai. "We started talking about bowl work, and Ben, the manager, was adamant that I work with the elephants," says Linda. Though owner Pat Trungpakan was initially opposed to it, Ben's persistence brought Chambers to Patara last April. She introduced a protocol to ease depression, the stress of losing a parent, the trauma of mistreatment in circuses, zoos, or illegal logging camps, or wounds sustained from land mines or poachers. "Vibrational sound healing also eases the discomfort elephants feel when blood samples are taken from their ears, and is great for childbirth and nursing moms," says Chambers. "Tip, for example, wouldn't stand still more than 20 seconds for her baby to suckle. We took her into a quiet place and played crystal singing bowls; she learned to relax and let the baby nurse." Chambers returned to Patara in October to check on five elephants that had received consistent treatment. Results were promising, and Pat is now so enthusiastic he suggests "elephant meditation" be instituted at Chang Mai Elephant Hospital. This fall Chambers will travel to Kenya to set up similar programs at three elephant orphanages. During this safari, a documentary will be made with support from major airlines and corporations. "We want to show what happens when babies are orphaned by poachers," says Linda, who hopes the film will be brought into schools. "Let the kids be the voice to say, 'stop buying ivory.'" Meanwhile, Chambers has set up a Bowls for Elephants fund. On Wednesday nights, Dari Rasa Trunk Show (the name is a fitting coincidence) hosts a donation-based singing bowl concert / medi- tation. A CD, "The Sweet Spot — Healing our Elephants with Singing Bowls" was recently released; all proceeds go to the charity. Chambers strongly feels that "this sweet project which gives people hope" belongs to Bozeman, not just to Dari Rasa. "We're at a very critical place with elephants," she states. "They could be gone in less than a decade. Africa had six million; now it's below one million. Ninety-six perish each day— one every 15 minutes. I'm hopeful that we might be making a difference—extinction is forever." For more about sound healing sessions, the retail store, and Bowls for Elephants, visit www. darirasa.com or phone (406) 582-0166. e bowls harmone dsonance in the body. Listen to 10 hours of bowl music. go to: www.distinctlymontana.com/bowls144 DISTINCTLY MONTANA | DIGITAL

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