From Ancient Tradition to Modern Practice: The Benefits of Mantras for Mind and Body

From Ancient Tradition to Modern Practice: The Benefits of Mantras for Mind and Body

What is a Mantra?

“Mantra” is basically a Sanskrit word that is made up of two words “Man” and “Tra”. “Man” means “Mind” and “Tra” means “Release.” Thus mantra means the process of releasing the mind from worrisome thoughts.

Mantras are used in meditation. They are mainly phrases that are chanted during the process of meditation. Some people face problems concentrating while meditating. For them, mantra chanting comes in handy. It helps them to focus properly and get the full benefits of meditation.

A mantra can be chanted loudly, whispered, or repeated only in the mind. It can just be a sound or a collection of words. Every religion and every language has its own mantras, like Gayatri Mantra in Hinduism, Hail Mary in Christianity, Om Mani Padme Hum in Buddhism, etc. Be it in any language or any religion, a mantra leads you to the same path of releasing stress and connects you to divine power.

How to Begin Mantra Chanting? 

For mantra chanting you need to do the following things:

• Choose a calm and quiet atmosphere without any sort of distraction
• Wear loose clothing and maintain a comfortable posture
• Select some object to focus on
• Set a timer between three to thirty minutes 
• Start with deep breaths and then begin chanting the mantra with the full intention and focusing on your breathing

Normally believed that a mantra should be chanted at least 108 times. But you can choose it as per your suitability. You can also make use of a tiny mala of beads.

How do Mantras Work?

Everything in this universe is made up of energy and sound is considered to be a powerful medium to influence it. As sound is an important part of mantra chanting, it is believed that mantras help a person get positive energy from the universe. This energy has the potential to bring many positive changes in the body as well as the mind. 

When you chant a mantra, the sound creates vibrations in the body. This makes you feel relaxed, calm, and stress-free. As a mantra is needed to be chanted repeatedly, it takes you to the depth of meditation. You forget about everything else and feel connected to the divine power.

Types of Mantras:

Mantras are of various kinds. Each one has its own sound, vibration, meaning, and spiritual importance. Here are some basic mantras:

• Seed Mantras: 

These are simple kind of mantras that are made up of one-syllable. They are mostly used because they are easy to recite. They purify the mind, body, and the soul. By reciting them concentration is improved and you attain peace of mind. Examples are: Om, Ham, Sham, etc.

• Vedic Mantras:

These mantras basically belong to Hinduism and they are mentioned in the sacred Vedas. They are written in the Sanskrit language. They are quite lengthy and are a bit complex to recite. Practice is required to chant these mantras. They believed to possess divine powers. Examples are: Gayatri Mantra, Mahamrityunjaya Mantra, Shanti Mantra, etc.

• Buddhist Mantras:

As the name says these mantras belong to Buddhism. These are dedicated to specific deities. Examples are: Om Mani Padme Hum mantra, Medicine Buddha mantra, Green Tara mantra, etc.

• Devotional Mantras:

They are related to Bhakti yoga as the devotional means “bhakti.” This yoga is performed to show devotion to the supreme and divine power and surrender yourself to Him completely. These mantras require a lot of devotion and involvement of emotions. Examples are: the Hare Krishna mantra, Om Namah Shivaya mantra, Sita Ram mantra, etc.

• Healing Mantras:

These mantras heal the mind and the body. They promote physical as well as emotional health. Examples are: Gayatri mantra, Maha Mrityunjaya mantra, Om Shanti mantra, etc.

If we talk about the specific names of the mantras that are recited while doing meditation, then they are mentioned below:

• Om Mantra: Takes you to the elevated state of consciousness.
• Shanti Mantra: Invokes peace of mind
• Om Namah Shivaya Mantra: Dedication to Bhagwan Shiva and leads to moksha
• Gayatri Mantra: To achieve success and happiness in life
• Mahamrityunjaya Mantra: To attain long life, keep calamities away, and prevent untimely death
• The Kundalini Mantra: To stimulate and nourish each Chakra of the body
• Lalitha Sahasranama: To lead a life that is free from the ills of poverty, bad health, mental stress, etc.
• Ganesh Mantra: To inspire transformation
• Durga Gayatri Mantra: To attract prosperity and abundance
• Rudrayamala Tantra Mantra: To destroy enemies
• The Serenity Prayer: To remember the principles of recovery
• Prayer for Assistance: To stay closer to God
• Om Mani Padme Hum: To transform the impure body
• Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu: To wish for every being’s happiness
• Tayata Om Bekanze: To eliminate the pain of suffering from problems
• Om Vasudhare Svaha: To get deities blessings
• Ehi Vidhi Hoi Naath Hit Moraa: To achieve success
• Om A Ra Pa Ca Na Dhih: To confer intelligence
• Om Sarveshaam Svastir Bhavatu: To ask for well-being and peace

Benefits of Chanting Mantras for Mind and Body:

Mantra chanting offers several potential benefits for the body as well as the mind and transforms you into a completely new human being who looks at life with a positive outlook. Here are some benefits of practicing mantra chanting:

• You become a person who is self-aware. You understand your thoughts and where they are leading you.
• It reduces stress and anxiety and keeps you away from depressing thoughts.
• It makes the body and mind calm and relaxed.
• It helps to improve focus by controlling wandering thoughts.
• It makes you a more compassionate and empathetic person.
• It brings self-confidence and willpower in you.
• It brings positive changes in the brain.
• It keeps your mood good and makes you a cheerful person.
• It brings emotional stability.
• You feel less tired and more energetic.
• It helps in getting sound sleep.
• It detoxifies your body.
• It controls your blood pressure levels.
• It improves the health of the heart.
• It improves your immunity system.
• It strengthens your vocal cords as you have to make sounds during mantra chanting.
• You see improvements in your memory power as it sharpens the mind.
• It keeps you away from distressing emotions and turns you into a positive human being.
• It helps you to feel closer to the supreme power and that brings a sense of peace.
• It cleanses your aura.
• It helps to enhance creativity and generate new ideas.

Conclusion:

In a nutshell, mantra chanting can have several positive effects on your body and mind and can transform you into a positive and cheerful person. Just fix a schedule for it and follow that religiously. Mantra chanting will convert you into a more balanced and stable personality.