A Mantra is a series of phrases or words that are chanted during meditation. It is more than a repeated word or phrase. Saying any word over and over again is not a mantra. It is the energy created in the chanting or singing that makes the saying a mantra. The sound is very important, for it can bring transformation in you while leading you to power and strength. A mantra provides a collective spiritual, mental and physical healing for the practitioner.
Origin
The earliest mantras were composed in Vedic Sanskrit by Hindus in India, and are at least 3000 years old. The teachings of the Vedas consist of various Mantric chants or hymns recognized by different seers or Rishis from the Cosmic Mind.
The word “mantra” comes from two Sanskrit words: “Manas”, which means mind, and “trai”, which means free from. In the actual sense, mantra means to free from the mind. As sacred sounds, mantras were bestowed to sages in meditations after they took on intense spiritual practices. The sounds were later tested to examine the consistency and intensity of their effects, and then recorded in the Vedic scriptures to have an organized system of spiritual tools for transformation.
The benefits
Chanting has more benefits than you might imagine. Several scientific studies have been conducted to observe the meditative effects on the body. According to Thomas Ashley-Farrand – a notable guru who played a major role in bringing the wisdom and gifts of Sanskrit chants to the West – mantras have a very specific effect on our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual states. Indian sages teach that these sound meditations can actually have the power to transform our human conditions, including relationships, health, happiness, career, finances, success, etc.
As sacred sound vibrations, mantras work on all of these levels and therefore can affect change at all levels. Each word or sound in a mantra has a very specific energetic effect.
To name a few:
- Alleviate stress, anger, jealousy and other negative states. The rhythm and sound of the chanting moves energy throughout the body. The movement of energy regulates the chemicals in our brains. It blocks stress hormones and releases endorphins.
- Creates Better Sleep. With fewer stress chemicals in our brains and bodies, we sleep better and thus we wake up feeling refreshed and ready for another day.
- They regulate heart rate.
- Chanting increases immune functions, and lower blood pressure. The sound of the mantra literally drowns out the negative voices in our heads. When the negative thoughts are suppressed, the mind has room for positive thoughts.
- Mantras ease fear. People with phobias often adapt mantras to center on during times of fear.
- Chanting these sound seeds along with a constant deep breathing process improves blood circulation by providing more oxygen to the body thus restoring youthfulness both externally and internally
- Slows the Aging Process. One study by Lavretsky in 2011 showed that when people did chanting they actually had an increase in cellular telomerase activity… which slows our cellular aging process (WOW)
Mantras to chant
There many mantras available, but here are a few that are simple enough to chant while offering powerful results:
- Om: The most basic mantra. In Hinduism is known as the “pranava mantra,” the source of all mantras, the name of God, the vibration of the Supreme. The sound of the Om is said to unblock the throat chakra. Chant as three sounds, A -U-M .
- So Hum: The “I Am That” mantra that connects your consciousness with universal consciousness. Chant, “So” while breathing in and “hum” while breathing out.
- Ahem Prema: Meaning, “I am Divine Love”, chant this to align yourself with divine love and to become the very embodiment and emanation of pure love. Chant, Aah-ham-pree-mah
- Shreem : It is the mantra of Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of abundance and prosperity. The sound of abundance – repeat as much as possible to attract wealth and abundance.
- Om Shanti : The mantra of peace – repeat to experience inner and outer peace and harmony. Chant, A -U-M Shanti Shanti Shanti
- Om Mani Padme Hum: The most beloved and widely practiced mantra in Buddhism. Meaning, “Hail the Jewel in the Lotus”, unites the mind and heart and brings about deep compassion for all. Practicing this mantra is also said to heal and uplift the state of the world.
- Wahe Guru: Known as the mantra of ecstasy and widely practiced in Kundalini yoga – chanting this mantra elevates and uplifts the spirit.
- Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung: Meaning, “Sun, Moon, Earth, Infinity, All that is in infinity, I am Thee”. Chant it to send healing energy to ourselves and others. The eight sounds stimulate the life force energy within the central column of the spine to elicit healing.
Starting a Mantra Practice
A 40 day practice of chanting a mantra 108 times each day (ideally morning and night) is recommended. In many religions and spiritual traditions, it takes 40 days to break an old mode of consciousness and experience a shift. And 108 corresponds to the number of nadis – channels through which spiritual energy flows and connects with the chakras. So, chanting a mantra 108 times for 40 days helps the essence of the sacred sound to become part of your consciousness on all levels.
To help you keep count, you can use a 108 bead mala. Write your intention for your chosen mantra on a piece of paper and refer to it often during your 40 day practice.
Create a special physical space where you can practice privately. To begin, sit in a comfortable position as you normally would. Before chanting, say your intention out loud. Then begin to chant the mantra of your choice aloud.
Final Thoughts
Developing a mantra practice is a wonderful way to connect with your spirit on a daily basis as it lets you take a much needed break from your daily busyness and re-center. I hope you feel inspired to at least consider if a mantra meditation practice is right for you. And if the practice works as the Vedic gurus’ say, you might just enjoy some transformative inner and outer benefits.
