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Effects of Sound
 Sound
has a tremendous power to condition our consciousness, in
fact most conditioning occurs through the medium of sound,
particularly as words. Whether as words or music no other
sensory potential has such capacity to affect us. Sound
moves the heart and mind influencing us both subconscious
and conscious.
Different sound formations make up the
different formations make up different functions of the
mind. The sound vibration of impressions and information
make up the outer mind ( manas ). The sound vibration of
abstract knowledge, principles and ideals sustains
intelligence. The sound vibration of our deepest feelings
and intuition makes up the inner mind or consciousness
(chitta). The ultimate source of sound is the spiritual
heart or centre of consciousness, our true self (atman) from
which the eternal sound or divine word ever arises.
To reprogram the mind, to remove its
negative conditioning and replace it with one that is
beneficial, which is the essence of psychological healing;
the therapeutic use of sound is the central tool.
The Healing Power of Mantra
There are many ways to use sound in
healing, from counseling itself which is largely verbal to
music. In Ayurvedic healing the most important sound therapy
is mantra. Mantra means “Mananat Trayati iti Mantra” “that
which saves”.
Mantras are specially energized sounds
or words. They may be simple single sounds like OM or
special phrases or prayers intoned or sung in various ways.
Mantras are repeated in a regular manner in order to empower
them and turn them into tools of psychological
transformation. Any key word or phrase that we repeat,
memorize and hold deep inside ourselves is a kind of mantra.
For truly healing the mind Sattvic mantras are required which aim at
dissolving the ego and promoting self awareness. Mantra is not a form of self hypnosis but a way of
reconditioning the mind by breaking up unconscious sound and
thought patterns through those that reflect a higher truth
and energy.
Mantra And
Consciousness
Control of the mind and the unfolding
of the hidden powers of the mind ( siddhis ) arise through
the power of mantra. Mantra is the main method of treating
consciousness (chitta) and is helpful for healing all levels
of the mind. Mantra allows us to change the vibratory
pattern of consciousness. It is a direct method for dealing
with the mind. The mantra changes the energetic structure of
the mind which dissolves the problem and changes the energy
of the mental field, while thinking of the problem can
reinforce it. Our consciousness consists of deep-rooted
habits and tendencies and even scars from past, painful and unpleasant memories.
Our memories are the subtle sound
vibrations that we retain in our consciousness.
What actually is a
mantra ?
Mantra repetition simply means
repeating a sentence or group of words that have a phonetic
significance . just that's it.
Mantra is intrinsically related
to sound. Mantra is sound, and sound is reverberating in
everything in this universe. When water flows, the gurgling
sound it makes, is mantra. When wind blows through the
trees, the rustling sound it produces is mantra.
When we walk on the earth, our footsteps produce sound, and
that too is mantra. Within human beings there is
a self-born, indestructible sound which repeats itself
constantly, along with our breathing and this sound is also
a mantra.
Sound has enormous power, in fact it
has the power to create an entire universe. It is written
that God originally manifested as sound.
(In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with
God, and the Word was God. New Testament,
John1:1-2 )
According to ancient Indian belief
in the beginning there was sound, which reverberated
as Om
and from that sound everything came into existence.
Even modern scientist are beginning to
recognize as our ancient sages did, that there exists
a vibration which reverberates ceaselessly throughout the
cosmos.
When letters and syllables come
together, they form words. Both our spiritual and our
mundane life are possible only because of words; without
language, we can not carry out any of our activities. Each
word we use has its own power and produces it own reaction.
A mantra is no ordinary combination of letters and
syllables, but a living force. The name of God is not
different from God. Mantra has been called the sound-body of
God: It is God in the form of sound.
In Bhagavad Gita Lord
Krishna says,
" Among rituals, I
am the ritual of mantra repetition."
By this he means that while other
techniques are means of attaining Him, mantra is his very
being. That is why it is so easy to experience God by
repeating the mantra. Mantra meditation is the repetition of
a group of words which creates sound vibrations that awake
the love of God in our hearts and mind.
There is millions of mantras but which
one is for you? In the scriptures there is different mantra
especially relevant for different issues. It is important to
choose the correct mantra that deals with your personal
requirement / issue to feel and experience the full healing
benefits from this mantra. You can ask Swami Ji to choose a
Mantra for your personal
issue.
If you want to organize or participate
in Mantra workshop or need a personal Mantra for your self
please contact us for further information at:
ramona@jaisiyaram.com
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All rights reserved. Copying of the contents of this website without Yashendu
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Mantra
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