Vedic Chanting + Sanskrit
Chanting is a very powerful practice that is used in different ways across many different cultural traditions in India and beyond. I get a lot of questions when I say Vedic chanting so I’ve put together this little FAQ.
What is Vedic Chanting?
Vedic chanting is the practice of reciting mantras from the ancient texts of India. Vedic chanting can refer to any form of chanting that comes from Vedic traditions, including daily prayers, spiritual and yogic texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita and Patanjali’s sutras, as well as the Veda-s themselves.
The Veda-s are ancient Sanskrit texts from which Indic knowledge systems including Yoga, Ayurveda, and Jyotish stem from.
The Vedas 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 Ṛṣi-s and Ṛṣika-s, had direct experience of the nature of reality which they expressed through beautiful 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 Veda-s.
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.
In my Veda chanting programs, you will have the opportunity to learn these mantras as they were originally presented in the Veda-s and passed down through oral tradition for thousands of years. This is important because when we keep the integrity of the the mantra we keep the integrity of the wisdom intact. The wisdom is encoded in the sound.
What are the benefits of chanting as opposed to other meditation practices?
Chanting as a personal practice strengthens the muscles of concentration, invites deep connections and promotes healing for the mind, body and spirit.
As a meditation tool: It gives the mind something to focus on that is not just "quieting 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
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.
For the past decade, chanting has been my primary spiritual practice. During the most difficult periods of my life, I would say it’s saved me, and I’m not alone. I’m so grateful to my teacher Shantala Śriramaiah of Veda Studies for creating a path to be an authorized teacher within this lineage. I’m honored to be able to share with authenticity, this tradition of chanting.
I’m now offering private and small group study as well as many online and in-person workshops.
Private Study Opportunities:
Beginner:
Introduction to the Sanskrit Alphabet (Devanagari)
Introduction to Vedic Chanting
Invocational Mantras
Everyday Sacred ~ Sanskrit Mantras for daily life
Gayatri Upansana
Mantras for Healing
Mantras for Peace
Intermediate:
Śraddha Suktam ~ exploring faith and devoted commitment
Agni Suktam ~ cultivating the power of will
Durga Suktam ~ battling demons, support for difficult times
Medha Suktam ~ connecting to inner wisdom and discernment
Ganapati Artharvaśīrshā ~ a profound collection of mantras honoring Lord Ganesha, offering protection, connecting with strength, fortitude, clearing obstacles, and the ability to move forward in our lives with grace.
Devi Suktam ~ embodying the full power of the divine feminine
If you’re interested in studying privately or would like to organize a small study group please contact me directly for rates and scheduling.
In Person & Online Group Classes + Online Free Community Practices
Online Introduction to Vedic Chanting
Free Online Weekly Community Chanting Circle
In-Person Mantra Sãdhana ~ A Sacred Sound Immersion to Deepen Your Personal Practice
Invoking the Goddess ~ Fall Online 40-Day Meditation Practice w/Sanskrit Mantra
Stay tuned and if you’re interested, sign up for my newsletter where I’ll be sharing info on many new workshops and chanting circles both in-person and online in the coming season.
By shifting our own vibration we can shift the vibration of the world.
Om shanti