The earliest mantras took birth in India over 3,000 years ago and were composed in Vedic Sanskrit (a sacred language of ancient India that is no longer spoken) by the rishis (wise ones) as paths to awareness, using the power of sounds to create specific energy responses. Mantras were one of the earliest components of yoga and are quite possibly the first type of meditation that was developed. The practice of chanting a mantra is considered the easiest form of meditation called Mantra Meditation.

Mantra has a sacred power that can bring us into direct contact with the presence. It connects us, heals us, and expands our hearts. A mantra is a word or series of words in the form of divine sound. It chanted aloud or silently to invoke spiritual qualities.

Mantra chanting’s sound takes us to another level where we sense enigmatic transformative power. It is a condensed form of spiritual energy and an ancient key to unlocking the mysteries of the entire universe.

There are five elements, earth, water, air, fire, and space. Mantra comes in space. The other four elements are associated with the senses. All the other elements are encompassed in space. So, a mantra is something that can affect and control all the elements. Mantra can even control and affect your body and mind. That is what is really fascinating about mantras.

A mantra is divided into two words; ‘man’ or mind and ‘tra’ the technique that quietens the mind. Mantras have a special technique to quieten the mind. As we chant, the frequencies of the mantra go into the being and quieten the mind. If we are in a depression, anger, anxiety, disappointment, or frustration and we listen to or chant a mantra, it brings us to consciousness in bliss or called Ananda.

All mantras come from one mantra, and that is Om. When we chant Om we are invoking that universal intelligence and energy to come and be with us.

Every organ in the body has a frequency, a sound. When we chant the mantra there is a neurobiological shift that happens in the physical brain. And the cells rejoice, they get happier.

How to Chant

Mantra chanting is a sacred and beautiful practice. It can be done alone or in groups. The mantra should be performed sitting in a comfortable position, with the eyes closed, the mantra is repeated silently or aloud. Allow the mind to be focused on the mantra, letting the thoughts go, and maintaining a slow and deep breath. Pay careful attention to the speed and rhythm of your chanting. A Mala (a string of beads) can be used to count a series of 108 repetitions of the mantra.

Traditionally, mantras are chanted in cycles of 108 repetitions. According to the Vedic scriptures, our physical and subtle bodies contain 108 major nadis, or energy channels. When we chant a mantra 108 times, that sound vibration can fill all of the energy lines in our bodies and balance them.

Mantra can be easily learned and singing along to a favorite mantra track. It is a good way to learn the correct pronunciation and to familiarise yourself with a particular mantra.

The mantra is very connected to feeling and reverence. There needs to be a feeling to it. Only then does the shakti of the mantra gets released. Otherwise, it doesn’t work. When you say it with feeling then the power in the mantra is unleashed.

 

At Upaya Yoga, we do start our daily Yoga classes with the Matra Meditation. Join us for Teacher Training & Retreat classes and feel the difference.