One student recently said to me “chanting sure beats therapy”. She said “chanting is pure joy. I don’t have to talk about my problems and yet transformation occurs.” She has become more positive and assertive. She puts that down to chanting. Her voice was not strong when she began classes with me, and although she didn’t really relish the idea of chanting, she thought she’d give it a go. She is now confident to speak up in class, chant individually and is ready to teach others. The practice of chanting in sanskrit has had a positive influence on her everyday life. This same student has two young sons who have listened to her practice over the years. They repeat simple chants themselves and ask for her to chant when they are upset. She has taken Vedic Chanting into her son’s school where the children responded very positively, asking lots of questions.
Chanting the mantras of the Vedas creates specific vibrations that flow through our bodies, resonating within, bringing change physically, energetically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Over the past two weeks I have explained the physical and energetic benefits and now this week I will share with you the benefits of chanting for our mind and emotions.
How does chanting help to balance our mind and emotions?
On a mental level, chanting promotes neuro-plasticity, creating new neural pathways, allowing us to do what was previously not possible. It helps us break through old habits or patterns. When we focus on one thing, everything else melts away and the mind becomes quiet.
The impact that chanting has on our emotions is reflected in the sanskrit word, adhyayanam, which means to go within. Our attention is directed inwards, and this connects us with our heart, increasing feelings of empathy and kindness. It is encouraging that research to investigate such findings is being conducted in academic circles and recent results of a study ‘mantra as medicine’ conducted by Dr. Gemma Perry confirmed chanting’s positive impact. These studies are being continued by Honours and Masters students at Bond University.
My journey as a Vedic Chant Teacher has certainly confirmed to me the major benefits of this powerful practice. Chanting was the catalyst for me to literally find my voice and gain inner strength. It has created change that has brought benefits into my everyday life. As a younger person, I was too shy to speak, preferring to hide rather than speak up. As an indication of the progress I have experienced, I did not hesitate to accept an invitation to speak at the 5th Australasian Sanskrit Conference at the Australian National University in Canberra last weekend. There is no way, that even a few years ago, I would have put myself in that position. The change I have noticed in myself is a growing increase in confidence which has improved my ability to speak in larger groups, enabling me to give speeches at major professional and family events. Not only did I make my presentation at the recent conference, but I also enjoyed it and know it was chanting that gave me the voice to speak.
What I have experienced is being reflected back to me by my students who inspire me every day when they share the positive impacts Vedic chanting has had on their lives. Some students have found their levels of anxiety and depression have eased. They have been able to stop negative self talk and have been able to reduce prescribed anti-depressants. After commencing Vedic Chant classes with me, their confidence has gradually increased, and they, like me, have felt a deep sense of contentment as a result of a daily chanting practice.
I wish you all happy holidays and a joyful festive season. I look forward to writing more about the joy of Vedic Chanting in 2024 and will look at the impact of Vedic Chanting on our spiritual being as the New Year commences. Namastenyone could join in and chant or just listen. It enabled people from all over the world to see the faces of others, and we found that being in the same place and the same time for a common purpose brought many people comfort during a time of devastating isolation. We have continued to meet a few times a year even since Covid restrictions ended.
Next Meeting 21st January, 2024