The science of mantras has fascinated mankind for centuries. It is believed that the resonating sound of mantras in our body and mind stimulates the nervous system to evoke favourable physical and emotional energy…
Mantras
In Sanskrit, mantras are referred to as ‘sound tools’, and these tools are used to induce energy movements in one’s body and his immediate environment. When used repetitively, it is believed that the sound of mantras is capable of penetrating deep into one’s conscious and sub-conscious mind creating the desired physical and emotional changes.
No wonder, since the Vedic era, people have resorted to regular chanting of mantras with the belief that it will resolve one’s state of fear, anger and depression, and also help relieve disorders concerning respiratory, digestive, reproductive, circulatory, speech, intellectual and cognitive systems.
Probably, it has been the most popular sought-after psychosomatic route known to mankind for achieving physical and mental wellness – a panacea for all ills, and it seems to continue for centuries.
Do mantras work?
Though mantras have been accepted as beneficial meditative practice – empowered The Magic of Mantras Spirituality by faith, intention and concentration, there continues to be an iota of doubt amongst a section of society about the science behind it. For some, it is hard to believe that mere chanting of certain ‘words’ or ‘passages’ can have a far-reaching impact on one’s health and environment.
There are some who think mantras have no power per se, and it is purely their faith. Like it’s believed ‘faith can move mountains’, it’s one’s feelings and strong desire that give strength to this resolve which in turn brings about the change, aka ‘positive affirmations’.
Insight
While this discussion/debate can go on endlessly, there are some research institutions who have been dedicatedly working to get unto the depth of the reality.
How do mantras work?
According to Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan, a Haridwar-based research centre for Integration of Science and Spirituality, mantras being energy-based sounds produce physical vibration and thought-energy waves aligning body organisms in-sync with the bodily functions, thereby creating a state of perfect harmony.
No wonder, some professionals practicing spiritual modalities recommend rhythmic chanting of mantras for creation of the desired Neuro Linguistic Effect (NLE).
“You just need to have a good ear, stay true to the punctuation, pauses, pronunciation, notation, length and the force of the chant and repeat it over and over again. The transformation happens step by step, over a period of time,” claims a Vedic Scholar.
In short, whether one understands the meaning or not, the mantras if uttered in a scientific manner will give you the desired results, every time, no matter who does it.
The Science of Mantras
“Knowing the meaning of mantras that one is chanting will only facilitate the process, as one’s mind will be more focused and concentrated. One would experience the added advantage of the Psycho Linguistic Effect (PLE),” iterates Usha Sundar, Director – Vedic Chanting Division, Viniyoga Healing Foundation (VHF). Whether it be Neuro Linguistic Effect (NLE) or Psycho Linguistic Effect (PLE), the process results into production and spread of certain chemicals in the brain, which has a calming and curative effect on the entire body.
While listening to mantras helps regulates blood pressure, the heart rate, adrenalin levels…, it is important that one is aware that like medicine there are specific chants for specific purpose and professional help of an expert should be sought to get the desired results. While there is a universal acceptance to the fact that sound can alter molecular structure of a substance.
For instance: Maseru Emoto studied effect of positive and negative sound on water. He found that water exposed to positive sounds such as mantra revealed intact and beautiful crystals when frozen, whereas water exposed to negative sounds showed the opposite.
So if sound had a profound effect on all liquids, definitely they would have a significant impact on all humans, animals and plants, as each one of them have water as a major constituent of the body. As social beings, we humans have been using speech and language as a means of communication and interaction involving our brain. So it would be reasonable to assume that sound and language can influence our lives significantly; and if this be true, mantras that use high impact ‘sound’ words would definitely have a resonating impact on us.
–Dr Shobha Tawade
ScienceNow Digital
