logo Wed, 25 Dec 2024 15:09:36 GMT

The Singing Bowl


Synopsis


Malcolm Guite's eagerly awaited second poetry collection includes poems that seek beauty and transfiguration in the everyday; sonnets inspired by Francis and other outstanding saints; poems centred on love, parting and mortality. A further group, 'Word and World', searches for the life of the spirit in the midst of modernity and includes an ode to an iPhone, while others wrestle with the problem of evil and the difficulty of prayer. Throughout, the poet seeks to celebrate the world of which he is made, find heaven in the ordinary and echo a little of its music.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Mysterious Bowl

The story opens in the antique shop of Mr. Lee, where Emily, a young woman, discovers an ancient Tibetan singing bowl. Intrigued by its beauty and strange inscriptions, she purchases it. As she brings it home, she notices subtle changes in her surroundings, such as flickering lights and the appearance of strange symbols.

Chapter 2: The Song of the Bowl

Emily is drawn to the bowl, discovering that it emits a captivating melody when struck with a mallet. As she listens to its song, she experiences moments of profound tranquility and connection to something beyond herself. However, she also starts to experience vivid dreams and hallucinations.

Chapter 3: The Guardians of the Bowl

Emily learns from a Tibetan monk that the bowl holds ancient secrets and is guarded by invisible guardians. The monk warns her that using the bowl recklessly could be dangerous. Emily dismisses his warnings, believing she can control its power.

Chapter 4: The Hidden Chamber

Guided by the bowl's vibrations, Emily discovers a hidden chamber beneath her house. Inside, she finds ancient scrolls containing knowledge about the bowl's origins and purpose. She also encounters a disembodied voice that encourages her to explore further.

Chapter 5: The Healing Power

Emily realizes that the bowl possesses healing properties. She uses its song to soothe the pain of her injured friend, John. As she does so, she forms a deep connection with him, discovering his hidden traumas.

Chapter 6: The Darkness Within

Emily's reckless use of the bowl attracts the attention of a malevolent entity. The entity manifests as a shadow creature that threatens to consume her and the bowl's power. Emily must confront the darkness within herself to overcome this threat.

Chapter 7: The Final Battle

In a climactic showdown, Emily uses the bowl's song to fight against the shadow creature. Through her courage, determination, and the support of her allies, she defeats the entity and restores balance to the world.

Chapter 8: The Legacy of the Singing Bowl

Emily realizes the true purpose of the singing bowl: to connect people, heal wounds, and bring harmony to the world. She becomes a guardian of the bowl, using its power wisely and for the greater good.