23/3/2020 Mantra, Brain, and Words - Yoga Meditation

Home Site Map Mantra Use Japa/Ajapa Soham OM

Home About Basics Meditation Practices Philosophy Tradition

Yoga Connections Interactive Mantra Yoga Sutras Karma Lifestyle
Icons Mind CDs Kundalini Levels Fun/Misc.

Mantra Use Japa / Ajapa-japa Mantra and Brain

Soham Gayatri Mahamrityunjaya
Soham Practice OM Mantra Mahavakyas
Soham Trataka OM Practice Maranatha Yoga Nidra CD
Swami Jnaneshvara

Mantra, the Brain, and Words

by Swami Jnaneshvara Bharati
SwamiJ.com

Effects of Mantra: For thousands of years, yogis have been teaching the value of
mantra in stabilizing and clearing the mind, leading one to deeper spiritual
awakening. Modern neuroscience is also beginning to discover the relationship
between mental functioning and the way words are used. The following graphic is
from the book The Secret Life of the Brain, by Richard Restak, M.D. (©2001,
Richard M. Restak and David Gruben Productions, Inc.).

Ways of using words or Mantra: Notice the explanation of increased blood flow
(indicating increased activity) to the various parts of the brain, depending on
whether one is hearing, seeing, speaking, or thinking of words. Regarding thinking
about words, the text points out that "thinking about words engages the limbic
association area responsible for thought, learning, perception, and emotion."

Cultivating higher functioning: This higher functioning (buddhi) is intentionally

cultivated by yogis through the practices of mantra, meditation, and contemplation.
Not only do the yogis use mantra (i.e., words), but often recommend focusing the
attention on this frontal part of the brain as well, placing attention in the ajna
chakra, the center accessed through the space between the eyebrows.

"Remembering" the Mantra: In Yoga Meditation science, different means of

using mantra are prescribed. The silent, inner remembering way of using mantra
use considered a higher, more effective form than hearing, reading, or speaking the
mantra (See the article Japa and Ajapa-japa). Many benefits come from the proper
use of mantra, including dealing with ways of thinking, ability to learn, ways of
perceiving, and positive use of emotions (the four points mentioned by Dr. Restak
in the text above). Collectively, these benefits set the stage for the deeper
practices of meditation, contemplation, and prayer (See the article Converging Four
Practices).

Mantra is universal: In reflecting on the relationship between mantra and brain

physiology, it is most important to remember that mantra is not a practice solely
used by the Eastern traditions. The use of mantra, word, compact prayer, or
affirmation is recommended by virtually all religions and meditative traditions,
although they might describe or use them in different ways.

Varieties of Mantras: There are many mantras, of which a few are described in
this website. These are Soham, OM, and Maranatha. Each of these are beneficial in
the ways described above.

https://swamij.com/mantra-brain-words.htm 1/3
23/3/2020 Mantra, Brain, and Words - Yoga Meditation
Related links on Use of Mantra: The following links are from the article entitled
How to Use a Mantra, and are specifically related to the nature of the mantra as a
spoken or remembered word (use Back key to return):

Chanting Mantra aloud or internally

Mantra as word, feeling, awareness, or silence

Allowing Mantra to lead to silence

Speaking/reciting or listening/remembering

Related articles: The following articles also deal with mantra:

Japa and Ajapa-japa

How to Use a Mantra

Soham Mantra

OM Mantra

Maranatha Mantra

-------

This site is devoted to presenting the ancient Self-Realization path of the

Tradition of the Himalayan masters in simple, understandable and beneficial
ways, while not compromising quality or depth. The goal of our sadhana or
practices is the highest Joy that comes from the Realization in direct experience
of the center of consciousness, the Self, the Atman or Purusha, which is one and
the same with the Absolute Reality. This Self-Realization comes through Yoga
meditation of the Yoga Sutras, the contemplative insight of Advaita Vedanta, and
the intense devotion of Samaya Sri Vidya Tantra, the three of which complement
one another like fingers on a hand. We employ the classical approaches of Raja,
Jnana, Karma, and Bhakti Yoga, as well as Hatha, Kriya, Kundalini, Laya, Mantra,
Nada, Siddha, and Tantra Yoga. Meditation, contemplation, mantra and prayer
finally converge into a unified force directed towards the final stage, piercing the
pearl of wisdom called bindu, leading to the Absolute.

https://swamij.com/mantra-brain-words.htm 2/3
23/3/2020 Mantra, Brain, and Words - Yoga Meditation

https://swamij.com/mantra-brain-words.htm 3/3