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FEATURE | EASTERN HORIZON 47

Therefore, by liberating ourselves from these habitual in attention and thereby increases the capacity for
ways of thinking, we can experience a true state of mindfulness and decreases negative thought patterns.
expanded awareness leading to feelings of peace
and joy. Chanting opens us to a new perspective of As well as benefits such as overriding habitual thought
ourselves, others and the world around us and as patterns and positively influencing our mind, mantra
George Harrison from the Beatles said, “chanting is a chanting can directly affect our physiology. For example,
direct connection with God.” chanting mantras affects the Parasympathetic Nervous
System by slowing breathing patterns which leads to
Although the ultimate aim of mantra chanting is to feelings of relaxation. Also, slowed breathing is known
expand consciousness, there are also many practical to be beneficial for cardiovascular functioning and
health benefits of this chanting technique. Therefore, for happy hearts! By chanting, we are also directly
we can also use mantra to increase life satisfaction or impacting the Vagus Nerve (the longest nerve of the
to improve our health and well-being. Mantra can be Parasympathetic Nervous System), which is not only
used to overcome obstacles in our life, decrease stress, related to relaxation, but also to immune
decrease depressive symptoms or increase mindfulness function, communication and social connection.
and attention. There are many health benefits of a Even the simple act of humming has been found to
mantra practice that are measurable in the Western improve immune functioning through the Vagus
scientific framework such as: Nerve. Therefore, chanting regulates stress and
• Decreased stress and anxiety immune function by balancing the nervous system and
• Decreased depressive symptoms endocrine system, normalizing hormone production,
• Increased positive mood balancing our emotions and contributing to our
• Increased feelings of relaxation overall health and well-being. Of course, within the
• Increased focused attention yogic tradition, the sounds themselves are also, more
• Neurological effects profoundly, to connect us to our true nature or to tune
• Activates the Parasympathetic Nervous System us with our own unique vibration as in the tradition of
Nada Yoga.
How does mantra chanting work?

Another aspect of mantra chanting, when chanting is
“The degree of freedom from unwanted thoughts and practiced in groups, is the synchronous nature of the
the degree of concentration on a single thought are the chanting. Synchronous behavior has been found to
measures to gauge spiritual process.” _Ramana Maharshi_ increase cooperation and social connection. By feeling
an increased sense of connection to others, not only
Although very simple to practice, mantra chanting does our capacity for compassion increase, but we
is a complex mental task that aims to increase self- are more likely to be happier and healthier. Feeling
awareness and self-regulate the mind and body. Mantra connected to others is what gives meaning and purpose
chanting engages parts of the brain that are involved to our lives and scientific studies have found that people