Mantra meditation has a rich history that spans across multiple ancient cultures and spiritual traditions. Mantras hold immense importance in Hinduism, for example, where they are used to meditate, worship, and invoke specific deities. Popular mantras like "Om" and "Gayatri Mantra" are chanted to attain spiritual enlightenment. Within Buddhism, it is believed that reciting mantras can protect against harmful energies and purify negative karma.
The Sanskrit word mantra can be broken into two parts: “man,” which means mind, and "tra," which means tool or instrument. Hence, a mantra is literally an instrument of the mind – a powerful sound, word, or phrase that can be repeated aloud or internally in order to cultivate a sense of emotional balance and tranquility. Although some are quick to dismiss mantras, even invoking them as a surrogate for all things hippie-dippie, recent research has suggested a neurophysiological basis for the profoundly relaxing power of repetitive speech. In a study by Berkovich-Ohana et al., researchers obtained blood oxygenated level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) of 23 subjects – none of whom had practiced meditation before – and compared their brain activity while repeating a single word to their resting state brain activity (Brain and Behavior, 2015). Results revealed a significant reduction in BOLD signaling while repeating the single word across a number of cortical regions, including the anterior cingulate cortex (concerned with reaction to emotional stimuli) as well as the right inferior parietal lobule and insular cortex (both concerned with the processing and interpretation of sensory information). This widespread reduction in brain activity confirms the relaxing power of Mantra recitation at a physiologic level.
Further, an fMRI study by Kalyani et al. suggests that “Om” chanting stimulates the vagus nerve (International Journal of Yoga, 2011). This cranial nerve is responsible for the regulation of internal organ functions such as digestion, heart rate, and respiratory rate. When stimulated, the vagus nerve activates the parasympathetic nervous system – our rest-and-digest response – slowing heart rate, lowering blood pressure, and promoting digestion.
It would then appear that, whether we realize it or not, repetition in and of itself is subconsciously soothing. Perhaps the same mechanisms are at play when we listen to our favorite songs…over and over again. Isn’t it striking how the structure of nearly every song involves repetition of a chorus? And how we don’t even think to question that? I’ll leave you with a Ted Talk on this very subject!
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A riveting, engrossing read.