Yoga during June
Week beginning 2nd June
Namaste all,
Yoga at Greasby Centre Mondays - 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th June 11.15a.m.
We will be delving into listening to - and perhaps using - Mantra in yoga sessions this month.
The definition of Mantra comes from:
“man” which is the root of “manas” meaning mind
“tra” from the root “trana” meaning to protect
So a definition of mantra can be “That which protects the mind”
Another definition:
“man” meaning to think
“tra” meaning to liberate
This definition being “that which liberates thinking”
Origins of Mantra
Mantra was an oral tradition passed down through generations. The first records of Mantra can be found c.3000BCE within the Vedas and were refined into Sanskrit using the script of Devangari, the Language of Angels. The language of Sanskrit in ancient times was said to have been revealed to Rishis in deep contemplation and are said to have mapped the universe at an energetic level with every sound of the Sanskrit alphabet emulating a vibratory force of the universe.
3 factors able to alter the energetic effect of Mantra:
1. The nature of the sound –energetic factors
2. The way in which the sound is made – its energy and impact
3. The intention behind the sound – each sound can be energised via thought, meaning and emotion.
HOW DOES MANTRA WORK?
Two significant areas:
1. Sound affect us as vibration
2. Sound alters consciousness
Sound affects us as vibration
Scientists have proven that solid objects are constructed from particles or atoms and in turn they are comprised of even smaller elements known as electrons, protons, neutrons, quarks and so on. The particles are in perpetual motion at the Hadron Collider in Cern Switzerland. Particle physics studies the tiniest objects of Nature. Looking into the very small and fundamental, it also looks very far back into time, just a few moments after the Big Bang.. revealing that all of Life is vibrating energy.
Everything is affected by changes in vibration including us as we are inevitably also ‘vibratory beings’ – our physical, mental and spiritual aspects are all energy in motion. Sound is energy produced by vibration and whilst we can hear some sound waves we will be affected by many frequencies that cannot be heard.
Through using sound consciously we are consciously altering our vibration.
Music and sound affects our physical state either as a secondary effect to our emotional or mental responses or directly for healing. We are 70%+ water sound travels effectively in water.
Music and sound directly affects our mental and emotional states. Film music, soundtracks, anthems or devotional songs, hymns and other spiritual music. Loud and aggressive music can lead us to feeling aggressive or lifted depending on our mental and emotional state. Music played at 60bpm is proven to be calming such as the slow movements of the music of Mozart.
Spiritually music or sound affects our level of vibration. It can induce a trance state and alter our level of consciousness
Sound alters consciousness
Words form a large part of our individual universe of thoughts and ideas. In using sound directly we are altering states of mind.
Mantra can maintain the strength of mind, purifying it and making the mind less susceptible to external conditioning
Controlling speech through the practice of mantra enables us in controlling other sense.
Controlling our internal dialogue helps us to gain mastery over the mind
Mantra is like asana for the mind! Mantra places the mind in a calm and relaxed state for meditation.
Benefits of chanting
Releases tension, especially anxiety, fear and anger
It can help release held emotions
Prana flows. Energy flows and helps to create feelings of exhilaration.
Healing vibrations reach different parts of the body – different sounds and even vowels alter the body
Mind can become immersed in concentration and meditation – change moods
Group chanting unifies
We can overcome self-consciousness when we feel connected and one another and with creation
Chanting can affect our karma – planting good seeds
Therefore, whether you just enjoy listening to mantra or meditating and chanting with mantra there will be benefits energetically, physically and spiritually (should you have a spiritual belief) - that will assist us all in making deeper connections both to the Self and to all others.
Shanti Om
Sue 🙏 x
Om Namo Nayrayanaya click link for the Mantra for this week - Om Namo Narayanaya (reverence to Lord Vishnu) - The mantra appeals to those who wish to bring harmony into the world.