As you wander through the narrow pathway at Swayambhunath Stupa, the Monkey Temple, you may hear an unfamiliar ringing, almost like a bell. This sound is none other than that of the Tibetan Singing Bowls which are used for the practice of healing bowl therapy. In the United States, alternative medicine is not the most popular form of healing. So, I was intrigued by the use of this centuries-old practice. I was able to sit down with Shyam Shakya, someone who has been practicing this since childhood, to talk about the art of healing bowl therapy.

As an American, I have seen how currently living in the United States is difficult for many minorities, for multiple reasons. But, one group I have seen that is being targeted frequently by the government, certain media, and the public is the LGBTQ+ community—this community is continuously evolving and including new terms and identities.