What is Vedic Chanting and How Can it Help?
I have always found chanting to be a helpful ally during stressful times. As a regular practice, it has really helped me stay steady, become more aware of my thoughts, and discern the best thing to do in a given situation. Chanting can be an amazing meditation practice , but it also has a strong physiological connection to our nervous system and can assist in keeping it regulated. There are also many studies that show that learning Sanskrit and chanting mantras can be a way of preventing cognitive decline and improving memory.
What is Vedic Chanting?
Vedic is a term meaning “from the Vedas”. Vedic is used to describe a world of traditions that stem from the ancient texts of India, the Vedas. Within these traditions there are various types of things we might chant, some directly from the Vedas, and some written much later. Sutras, shlokas, bhajans, bīja mantras and Veda recitation may all be categorized as chanting, but are very different in origin, cultural context and intention.
I incorporate different forms of chanting in my classes, because as most people who begin a yoga journey here in the West, I was exposed to different lineages along the way and have picked up things that resonate with me from a few different teachers. One important thing that I have learned, now that I’m studying within a living Veda lineage, is how important it is to understand the difference between these practices, and why Veda mantras are different.
The Vedas are ancient Sanskrit texts from which Indic knowledge systems including Yoga, Ayurveda, and Jyotish stem from. They are considered śruti, that which is heard, indicating their status as revealed texts that ancient seers brought back from states of deep meditation.
These ancient seers or Ṛṣis and Ṛṣikas, had direct experience of the nature of reality which they expressed through esoteric poetry that was passed on through oral tradition in the form of the mantras that were later organized and written down in Sanskrit as the four Vedas.
These mantras contain deep wisdom on many things, including how to live in harmony and alignment with nature, each other and ourselves. Veda recitation aligns your vibration with this wisdom and over time it begins to unfold inside of you, inviting new insight and understanding.
When we chant mantras from Veda, it’s important to follow certain rules for chanting, because when we keep the integrity of the mantra we keep the integrity of the wisdom intact. The wisdom is encoded in the sound.
Learning mantras within a lineage is a way to tap into a vibration that has been preserved by a rigorous oral tradition, precisely transmitting the knowledge from teacher to student for thousands of years.
What are the benefits of chanting?
Chanting as a personal practice strengthens the muscles of concentration, invites deep connection and promotes healing for the mind, body and spirit.
As a meditation tool: It gives the mind something to focus on that is different than a seated practice that asks you to quiet the mind. Japa (repetition of a mantra), is a technology to retrain neural pathways to be more present. Both japa and chanting longer texts build muscles of focus and concentration necessary to attain a state of meditation.
As a healing modality: The vibration of Sanskrit mantras relax the nervous system, bringing it into the parasympathetic state. Research has shown innumerable health benefits from chanting including; lowering blood pressure, improving the immune system, as well as triggering the release of endorphins, serotonin, dopamine and melatonin, which are the chemicals that help you feel happier.
As a devotional practice: Mantras serve as a key to opening a connection with a deep part of ourselves, where we can access both our own intuition and the wisdom and support of universal intelligence. Using a mantra regularly in your personal practice can make enormous transformations in both your inner and outer worlds.
In addition chanting can:
expand lung capacity and help repattern the breath in a healthy way
activate the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing you into a more relaxed state
develop concentration and focus
increase memory
create new neural pathways
lower anxiety and stress
Chanting ancient texts is also a profound tool for personal growth and connecting with your idea of the divine, whatever that may be.
If you're curious about learning more, click HERE to check out my online learning platform to read some testimonials from people who have taken my classes and hear their experiences first-hand.
I have three new online courses starting in March:
Vedic Chanting for Beginners - Foundational Mantras
Laghunāsaḥ - Healing and Vitality through the Heart
I’m also available for private lessons. Contact me here or send an email to sridevihealingarts@gmail.com