“A mantra is a powerful word. It vibrates like music does, only not on this plane but on other planes of reality. It creates a powerful force.” – Anonymous
Many people ride off mantras as nothing more than a superstitious belief, but for those doubters in the world, evidence has shown there is a power in sound. It can make the impossible, possible.
Strength and renewed determination can result from repeating words aloud. Vows, promises, and beliefs gain substance when given a voice. It is often said that the sound of the mantra can aid the believer in achieving enlightenment, lifting him or her toward a higher sense of self.
History of the Mantra
Words are revered means of communication, whether you’re discussing politics with a friend or pouring out your heart in prayer. All throughout history various cultures have believed in the sacred power of words or sounds. The English word “spell”, for example, can mean the simple array of letters to form words, as well as mean the power to manipulate nature to do the speaker’s bidding.
“It is believed that if you knew the true names of the gods, then you could call upon them and compel them to do your bidding.”
Although it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact date of its emergence, the mantra originated in ancient India, passed down from Vedic texts that constitute the oldest layer of Sanskrit literature and scripture. Nearly every mantra in Vedas, Upanishad, and various religious traditions such as the sampradayas, begin with the primordial sound Om or Aum – the words for the beginning and the end, and the first sound said to have caused the creation of the cosmos.
”In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”
The Strength of Sound
Just as a loud trumpet can call to action or a soft humming can lull to sleep, different sounds can influence the human psyche. It can sooth jar or soothe nerves. Cause us to weep with pain or with joy. Sounds can affect us both physically and mentally.
Speaking from personal experience, I was had a teacher who assembled a team of the biggest, bulkiest, most-muscular men in the classroom. Each of these guys could easily star on a football or basketball team and all of them were well known for being capable athletes.
Our skinny, nerdy professor then asked them to hold out their arms as an experiment for the class. He then tried his best to push their arms back to their sides, using every ounce of leverage and strength he could possibly muster. He couldn’t, of course.
If they had wanted to, any of these young men could pick the professor up and throw him over their shoulders. He was just that small. The class giggled and laughed as he practically threw his weight against the outstretched arms and failed to make them budge an inch.
Next, as part of the experiment, he played thirty 30 seconds of hardcore, ear-bleeding death metal “music” at its highest possible volume. I’m not sure where he found the album and still can’t figure out if what he did was permitted by school standards, but it lasted for less than a minute. Everyone sat for several seconds, shell-shocked and horrified.
Then, one by one. He pushed down the outstretched arms of his athletic students. No effort. No strain. It was as if the sound had sapped them of their strength. Many of the boys stared at him with wide-eyed wonder. They couldn’t believe that a teacher half their size, who had struggled to make them move so much as an inch only moments before, could push them around so easily.
To prove his point, he then played Bach’s Ode to Joy for 30 seconds and repeated the experiment. The effect was immediate – he couldn’t budge them an inch.
Although many students left the classroom thinking that the professor was simply trying to hype up his lesson on musical theory, a few students came away with the realization that there truly is strength in sound.
Mantra for Medicine
Despite recent advances in medical technology, there is a wide call for alternative forms of medicine, and because sound has such a unique effect on the human body, Mantras are quickly gaining popularity. According to Ashley-Farrand, mantras energize prana (a form of life energy that can be transferred between individuals). By reciting a mantra while visualizing healing, many believe that the otherworldly combination of sound and concentration can act as effective remedy for a wide variety of ailments.
However, a mantra chanted carelessly without conviction, or chosen thoughtlessly will not achieve the desired result. It is only through faith and strong will that Mantras can achieve one’s goals. Although this may just be a unique twist on the power of positive thinking, mantras have helped countless individuals for thousands of individuals searching for answers and strength – and it may even work for you.