Tuesday, February 14, 2012

week 6- "C" - Chanting

Sound is power !!



This week for my second "C" I have chosen chanting. I guess it really doesn't suprise me that I am drawn to chanting and it also it goes right along with last weeks posting of Calliope as she was known as the Muse of music & poetry.

I firmly believe that the sound of Mantras can lift the believer towards the higher self. When reciting the Mantras, the sound is very important, for it can bring transformation in you while leading you to power and strength. For me personally I have been able to open & strengthen my lungs more & have not had any problems with my asthma since I have started chanting. I tend to feel very energized & almost "buzzy" when I am done chanting.

Different sounds have different effects on human psyche. If a soft sound of wind rustling through leaves soothes our nerves, the musical note of running stream enchants our heart, thunders may cause awe and fear. Therefor it is said & believed that the sacred utterances or chanting of mantras provide us with the power to attain our goals and lift ourselves from the ordinary to the higher level of consciousness. It is said they give us the power to cure diseases; ward off evils; gain wealth; acquire supernatural powers; worship a deity for exalted communion and for attaining blissful state and attain liberation.

Mantras are Vedic in origin. The teachings of the Vedas consist of various Mantric chants or hymns cognized by different seers or Rishis from the Cosmic Mind. Since the Vedas are impersonal and eternal, the exact historical date of the origin of Mantra chanting is hard to arrive at. For example, every Mantra in the Vedas, Upanishads and various religious traditions (sampradayas) within Hindu religion begin with Om or Aum - the primordial sound, the sound that is said to have its origins at the time of the creation of the cosmos - also referred to as the 'Big Bang'.

The chanting of Om in Transcendental Meditation has now received widespread recognition. Mantras can be used to treat tension and many other difficult diseases that are yet to come. The Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan, research center for integration of science and spirituality in Shantikunj, Haridwar, India, is the one place I've read about which carries out extensive experiments on 'mantra shakti'. The result of these experiments is used to testify that Mantropathy can be used scientifically for healing and environment cleansing.

There are many schools of thought on the methods of chanting. A Mantra chanted correctly or incorrectly, knowingly or unknowingly, carefully or carelessly, is sure to bear the desired result for physical and mental well being. It is also believed by many that the glory of Mantra chanting cannot be established through reasoning and intellect. It can be experienced or realized only through devotion, faith and constant repetition of the Mantra. Being someone who loves music of all kinds I just feel naturally drawn to the chanting with the different instruments & hand clapping. My whole body just comes to life with so much energy weather I'm just practicing the mantras or just listening to a mantra cd.

It is important to have complete faith in the recitation of Mantras. It is primarily through faith - aided by strong will - that one achieves one's goals. A sound body and calm mind are essential for the chanter of Mantras. Once you are free from worries and have achieved stability in mind and body, you will derive maximum benefit through the recitation of Mantras.

There are many people who have recorded CD's of chanting that you can purchase or listen to for examples on how to do this or to learn how. Some of my favorites are... Guru Dev, Deva Premal, Russil Paul, & Robin Renee (who does chanting plus other music as well).

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