Understanding Mantras: A Comprehensive Guide to the Ancient Practice of Mantra Meditation
01 Mar 2023
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If you've ever asked yourself any of these questions, this article is for you. We'll walk through what a amantra is (and isn't), where it comes from, and how to use one effectively.
So much more than a melody or part of your yogic craft, the mantra is a sound, word or even string of words woven together to anchor our body and mind in the moment and help us deepen our awareness. It can be seen as the key to a higher power. Understanding the ancient art of mantra can help you to grow your awareness around the practice and call on it to pave the way to wisdom, intention, and connection.
Mantra: Meaning and Origins
The word mantra is a Sanskrit word. In our modern day language we associate it with meaning intention but really if we break up those two words, man which means mind and tra which means something similar to transport, sounds or chanting are used to 'transport the mind'.
However, scholars have also traced back from sanskirt “man” meaning think, so they all have this idea that thought is planted like seed then grows into flower.
It's been found that people were using mantras before 1000 BC according findings made through research investigations into Eastern traditions, moreover there are records indicating earliest known usage(s) come from Vedic scriptures within Hinduism along side other religions such as Buddhism Jain Sikhism New Age religions too.
Advantages of Using an Incantation when Meditating
There is no “correct” way to meditate because it is a personal spiritual experience, however, there are many benefits associated with this practice as well as other types. In fact, self-awareness can be increased and stress reduced through focusing better and breathing deeper, all at once! This article takes a look at some reasons why people should try mantra meditation for themselves.
Concentration
In our modern world filled with distractions finding focus can seem impossible, nevertheless, repeating mantras helps anchor your consciousness within the present moment. For those who constantly find their minds wandering during meditation this could prove extremely helpful.
If sitting silently becomes too difficult because thoughts keep interrupting then using words or sounds as points of concentration might help bring about stillness faster.
Think about attention span like muscles, they get stronger when exercised regularly but not just temporarily, forever changes how signal processing occurs throughout different parts of the brain so that you become less likely to lose track during any activity requiring sustained attention.
Breathing Technique
The repetition also establishes breath control while meditating by synchronizing inhalation and exhalation patterns with chosen phrases' rhythms. As we know, breathing has its own rhythm which can induce relaxation in us, thus making our breathing more rhythmic would naturally make us feel more relaxed too.
Moreover, breath connects body and soul together here-and-now where healing happens best after imbalance regains balance once again-restoring harmony anew forevermore.
Ease
Chanting increases mental clarity by reducing stress levels brought about through overthinking things, hence allowing one's mind to let go scattered thoughts and concentrate only on what is happening presently around them thereby inducing calmness.
The Science of Mantras
Mantras are art, science, and spirituality. There is definitely a high spiritual element but there is also concrete science behind how mantras work. Simply put, the mantra gives the mind something to focus on, words and sounds, something concrete.
A Swedish study actually used brain imaging to see what happens in our heads when we chant a mantra. They found that it was all to do with something called the default mode network or DMN for short.
The default mode network is active when your mind's wandering, like when you're ruminating over the past or worrying about the future. In other words, studies showed that when someone's mind was in an overwhelmed default mode, it was distracted which makes sense right?
Its kind of like if I have 10 things going on at once I won't be able to concentrate on any one thing properly. After introducing chanting into their lives and other spiritual practices it was shown that peoples DMN's were reduced and they got into a calmer state of mind as a result.
Basically, different brain flow patterns are created by using a manta or chanting which then help to deactivate the part of the mind most concerned with judgement and reflection which as we know can be very self critical so sometimes its nice just let go you know? When we call on mantras, it occupies our brain and trains it to be stiller, quieter and more controlled.
Saguna Mantras
It is said that Saguna Mantras are used to summon individual divinities. The word Saguna comes from the Sanskrit for “with attributes” or “with qualities,” and these mantras are believed to help make apparent either the god's power or the god itself in its actual form. These can be monosyllabic, single words or phrases aimed at calming and steadying the mind.
Nirguna Mantras
These types of mantras are considered to be the oldest and most cryptic. Sometimes called Nirguna Mantras, these mantras mean “without form” and are not intended for any particular attribute, deity, or chakra invocation.
Instead they are often used in deeper meditation practices like transcendental meditation which require a higher level of concentration or are suitable for people who have more experience with meditation.
Summary
Mantra meditation can be an incredible addition to your life! With such an easy entry point and so many beautiful benefits waiting on the other side, it's worth giving this unique practice a try for your body, mind & spirit.
However deep and spiritual their roots might go back through time, let's keep things simple in our modern world, pick a phrase, sound or word & repeat it for just five minutes every day, and wear Moaura bracelet, you can watch how dramatically stress levels drop as mental lightness increases along with improved overall wellbeing, not to mention stronger relationships fostered by inner peace.
So much more than a melody or part of your yogic craft, the mantra is a sound, word or even string of words woven together to anchor our body and mind in the moment and help us deepen our awareness. It can be seen as the key to a higher power. Understanding the ancient art of mantra can help you to grow your awareness around the practice and call on it to pave the way to wisdom, intention, and connection.
Mantra: Meaning and Origins
The word mantra is a Sanskrit word. In our modern day language we associate it with meaning intention but really if we break up those two words, man which means mind and tra which means something similar to transport, sounds or chanting are used to 'transport the mind'.
However, scholars have also traced back from sanskirt “man” meaning think, so they all have this idea that thought is planted like seed then grows into flower.
It's been found that people were using mantras before 1000 BC according findings made through research investigations into Eastern traditions, moreover there are records indicating earliest known usage(s) come from Vedic scriptures within Hinduism along side other religions such as Buddhism Jain Sikhism New Age religions too.
Advantages of Using an Incantation when Meditating
There is no “correct” way to meditate because it is a personal spiritual experience, however, there are many benefits associated with this practice as well as other types. In fact, self-awareness can be increased and stress reduced through focusing better and breathing deeper, all at once! This article takes a look at some reasons why people should try mantra meditation for themselves.
Concentration
In our modern world filled with distractions finding focus can seem impossible, nevertheless, repeating mantras helps anchor your consciousness within the present moment. For those who constantly find their minds wandering during meditation this could prove extremely helpful.
If sitting silently becomes too difficult because thoughts keep interrupting then using words or sounds as points of concentration might help bring about stillness faster.
Think about attention span like muscles, they get stronger when exercised regularly but not just temporarily, forever changes how signal processing occurs throughout different parts of the brain so that you become less likely to lose track during any activity requiring sustained attention.
Breathing Technique
The repetition also establishes breath control while meditating by synchronizing inhalation and exhalation patterns with chosen phrases' rhythms. As we know, breathing has its own rhythm which can induce relaxation in us, thus making our breathing more rhythmic would naturally make us feel more relaxed too.
Moreover, breath connects body and soul together here-and-now where healing happens best after imbalance regains balance once again-restoring harmony anew forevermore.
Ease
Chanting increases mental clarity by reducing stress levels brought about through overthinking things, hence allowing one's mind to let go scattered thoughts and concentrate only on what is happening presently around them thereby inducing calmness.
The Science of Mantras
Mantras are art, science, and spirituality. There is definitely a high spiritual element but there is also concrete science behind how mantras work. Simply put, the mantra gives the mind something to focus on, words and sounds, something concrete.
A Swedish study actually used brain imaging to see what happens in our heads when we chant a mantra. They found that it was all to do with something called the default mode network or DMN for short.
The default mode network is active when your mind's wandering, like when you're ruminating over the past or worrying about the future. In other words, studies showed that when someone's mind was in an overwhelmed default mode, it was distracted which makes sense right?
Its kind of like if I have 10 things going on at once I won't be able to concentrate on any one thing properly. After introducing chanting into their lives and other spiritual practices it was shown that peoples DMN's were reduced and they got into a calmer state of mind as a result.
Basically, different brain flow patterns are created by using a manta or chanting which then help to deactivate the part of the mind most concerned with judgement and reflection which as we know can be very self critical so sometimes its nice just let go you know? When we call on mantras, it occupies our brain and trains it to be stiller, quieter and more controlled.
Saguna Mantras
It is said that Saguna Mantras are used to summon individual divinities. The word Saguna comes from the Sanskrit for “with attributes” or “with qualities,” and these mantras are believed to help make apparent either the god's power or the god itself in its actual form. These can be monosyllabic, single words or phrases aimed at calming and steadying the mind.
Nirguna Mantras
These types of mantras are considered to be the oldest and most cryptic. Sometimes called Nirguna Mantras, these mantras mean “without form” and are not intended for any particular attribute, deity, or chakra invocation.
Instead they are often used in deeper meditation practices like transcendental meditation which require a higher level of concentration or are suitable for people who have more experience with meditation.
Summary
Mantra meditation can be an incredible addition to your life! With such an easy entry point and so many beautiful benefits waiting on the other side, it's worth giving this unique practice a try for your body, mind & spirit.
However deep and spiritual their roots might go back through time, let's keep things simple in our modern world, pick a phrase, sound or word & repeat it for just five minutes every day, and wear Moaura bracelet, you can watch how dramatically stress levels drop as mental lightness increases along with improved overall wellbeing, not to mention stronger relationships fostered by inner peace.
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