Effects of Mantra on Mind

The effects of mantra on mind can be experienced by all practitioners of Mantra Yoga or Japa Yoga. Mantra yoga is the practice of repeated chanting of a particular mantra for material and spiritual progress.

What is a mantra?

A mantra is a sacred word, sound or phrase, mostly in Sanskrit, which has a spiritual and psychological power and significance. Mantras are also referred to as “tool of thought” in Sanskrit. More often than not, a mantra is used in meditation as a tool to control and focus the mind. Mantra is a powerful tool to change the vibration of the person and the place. Effects of mantra on mind are positive! Chanting a mantra regularly evokes a higher level of consciousness in one.

“Mananat trayate iti mantrah”– Mantra is the method of freeing the mind from its own obsessive-compulsive thinking. Man in the word Mantra means to think and Tra means to protect or to free or to liberate from the bondage of Samsara or the phenomenal world. The combination of root words Man and Tra becomes Mantra which helps one to attain the fourfold fruit or Chaturvarga namely, Artha, Kama, Dharma and Moksha.

During meditation a mantra is repetitively chanted to allow the mind to enter into a meditative state. So that the meditator can connect to the divine within and achieve that state where mind is able to get all the positive effects of mantra.

Types of Mantra and their effects

Mantra meditation is an ancient practice that helps one to achieve spiritualism.  Every individual has their own philosophy or outlook regarding life, creation and the Supreme reality. The mantra that one chooses should be in harmony with one’s idea or philosophy of life.

Based on their meanings, mantras are further divided into Saguna Mantras and Nirguna Mantras. Saguna Mantras signify a specific God or Goddess, whereas Nirguna Mantras are formless and conceptual representation of the whole universe. 

Also, monosyllabic mantras are those in which only one syllable is used and they are called Bija Mantras. Om, Hreem, Shreem, Kleem, Aim, etc. are examples of mono-syllabic mantras. They don’t have any particular meaning, yet they represent a powerful vibrational aspect of the Supreme reality. Chanting these mantras transforms our inner core with vibrations of that mantra.

Other mantras with more than one syllable usually (not always) represent a deity or god/goddess. Each deity has their own set of mantras. A deity can have multiple mantras associated with that form of divinity. Chanting a mantra for a particular deity will transform our inner core with vibrations of that deity.

One has to choose a mantra that vibrates with one’s own liking, philosophy and purpose in life.

How does a Mantra Work?

A Mantra is a divine power or Daivi Shakti that manifests in a sound body and the Mantra itself is Devata. The aspirant tries his/her level best to unite with the Mantra of the Divinity, and the more one tries the more Mantra-power or the Mantra-Shakti supplements his worship power or Sadhana-Shakti. Just like winds strengthen a flame, similarly aspirant’s individual Shakti is strengthened by Mantra-Shakti. 

When one chants a Mantra it accelerates and generates creative force. One who is on the path of spirituality, needs harmony in all parts of his life! One should be in perfect ease and in tune with the Divine to attain the spiritual Truth. Regular chanting of mantra produces harmony. A Mantra has the power to release the cosmic and the super cosmic consciousness. A Mantra when chanted regularly awakens the consciousness or Chaitanya in one. 

Sound exists in four rudimentary states, namely., (1) Vaikhari or dense, audible sound, sound in its maximum differentiation; (2) Madhyama or an inner, subtle, more ethereal state at which it is inaudible to physical ear; (3) Pasyanti, a still higher, inner, more ethereal state; (4) Para which represents Isvara-Sakti and is the potential (causal) state of the sound which is Avyakta or undifferentiated. 

Effects of Mantra on Mind

1. Regular chanting of a Mantra helps the practitioner to realize his highest goal, even if he doesn’t know the meaning of the Mantra. However, repetition of the Mantra with concentration on its meaning can help one to attain God-consciousness quickly.
2. Chanting mantra is an effective way to release negative emotions or fight impurities of mind, such as Kama (lust), Krodha (rage), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion), Irshya (jealousy), and Ahankara (conceit), etc.
3. Just like a soap cleanses the impurities or dirt of a cloth, similarly mantra is a spiritual soap that cleanses the dirt of mind. 
4. Regular chanting of a Mantra on its meaning with Sraddha, Bhava, complete focus, and concentration not only destroys all your sins, but also brings infinite bliss, everlasting peace, prosperity and help one achieve spirituality. 
5. By chanting a mantra regularly one can even attain supernatural powers.
6. Usually, when we sit for meditation, our mind jumps from one thought to another, making it difficult to focus our attention. But, chanting mantra distracts the mind from those thoughts and helps to anchor the mind in concentration.

Benefits of chanting a mantra

1. Chanting a Mantra keeps one energetic, positive, happy, blissful, and aware. Also, it keeps one close to God and help aspirants become neutral.
2. A feeling of completeness surrounds when one chants a Mantra regularly.
3. The more one chants the mantra the more closeness he/she feels with God.
4. Repetition of a mantra helps one to be more mindful and aware of everything in and around.
5. Chanting a mantra helps one to move gradually to the path of spirituality which is the ultimate aim of this birth.
6. Mantra chanting helps one inculcate habits which are beneficial to reach the ultimate goal of life.
7. Chanting a mantra makes one more empathetic towards others and their pains
8. One’s faith increases exceedingly stronger upon chanting a mantra regularly.
9. Chanting a mantra helps one take a quantum leap from fear to surrender, that feeling of surrender surrounds when one chants mantra daily.