Does Chanting Mantras Really Work?

Could words be more powerful than we think? For centuries, people have speculated about the power of words, conducting research and drawing conclusions. In their quest to understand the world, they saw words as pieces of a puzzle.

But how did languages even emerge? How did thousands of distinct tongues form in different corners of the world? And how did communities, separated by oceans and thousands of kilometers, end up creating words with surprisingly similar phonetic tones?

Some argued that this mystery comes from a sacred consciousness within humans, beyond the grasp of the mind. Others insisted on uncovering it, even through cruel experiments.

Today, my focus is more specific: What is a mantra? What does it do, and does it really work?

The Secrets of Mantra

A mantra is an ancient practice used to calm the mind and focus attention. Think of it as a short word, syllable, or phrase repeated again and again. The word itself comes from Sanskrit: “man” (mind) and “tra” (to free, to protect). In short, it means “a tool to free the mind.”

Today, mantras are used by meditators, yogis, and even people who just want a moment of peace in their daily lives. Because chanting, or even silently repeating, a mantra works not only as a spiritual ritual but also as a pause that clears the mind and balances emotions.

I let my curiosity lead me down this path. I researched deeply, maybe a little obsessively. One of the most fascinating resources I found was Professor Jai Dudeja’s 2017 paper at Amity University, which analyzed mantras from a scientific perspective.

The Power of Sound

Studies suggest that repeating certain mantras can synchronize the brain’s hemispheres. This repetition also increases oxygenation, lowers heart rate and blood pressure, and promotes calmer brain wave activity.

Think about it: prayers, meditations, chants, across cultures, they’re often spoken aloud. That must be for a reason. And yes, sound amplifies the force of our prayers.

Every sound we make is a combination: a base frequency plus its harmonics, geometric multiples of that frequency. These harmonics create the sound’s “tone.” And that tone can foster new neural connections, improve auditory perception, and even heighten consciousness.

The Cosmic Echo of “Om”

Dudeja especially highlights the syllable “Om.” When chanted, it resonates at 136.1 Hz, the same frequency that pervades all of nature.

Here’s the mind-blowing part: astrophysicists, while studying the echo of the Big Bang, recorded a hum remarkably similar to “Om.” That same frequency also aligns with the 32nd octave of the Earth’s year.

Sri Yantra

One of the most astonishing findings I came across was in cymatics experiments: when the sound “Om” is projected at a drop of liquid, the droplet arranges itself into the Sri Yantra—a perfectly symmetrical, sacred geometric diagram from Tantric Hinduism, symbolizing both feminine energy (Shakti) and masculine wisdom (Shiva).

I once heard someone say, “Everything in the universe is Sri Yantra.” At first, it struck me as overly mystical but later I found it also has a mathematical dimension. In 1990, French computer scientist Gérard Huet even managed to construct its exact geometry through computer-aided drawings. Yet debate still lingers: is this figure perfectly defined or incomplete?

The Bodily Impact of Mantras

Another common sound in mantras is the humming “MMMM.” This hum stimulates the production of nitric oxide (NO) in the body, a vital molecule for cellular communication.

• It dilates blood vessels and boosts circulation.

• It regulates the nervous, immune, and cardiovascular systems.

• Its production declines with age.

Interestingly, even morphine works in part by increasing nitric oxide release. Which means: a simple sound in mantras can ripple through our biochemistry with profound effects.

Echoes in Faith

What struck me most during this journey was discovering parallel beliefs across different sacred texts.

• Vedas: “In the beginning there was only Brahma, and there was sound (vibration). And the vibration was Brahm.”

• Qur’an (Nahl 40): “When We decree something, We only say to it, ‘Be!’ and it is.”

• Bible (John 1:1-3): “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.”

I’ll leave these verses for you to ponder. Find the connection, uncover the mystery.

Final Thoughts

The power of words has always been a profound enigma. Even in Ibn Arabi’s concept of “Intuitive Knowledge,” one finds surprising parallels.

This research expanded my horizon more than I expected. I hope it does the same for you. See you next week with another intriguing topic.

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• Dudeja, J. (2017). Scientific Analysis of Mantra-Based Meditation and its Beneficial Effects: An Overview. International Journal of Advanced Scientific Technologies in Engineering and Management Sciences, June 2017. Amity University.

• Huet, G. (1990, March). Sri Yantra.

• Joseph, M. (n.d.). Sri Yantra Resources. Retrieved from http://alumni.cse.ucsc.edu/~mikel/sriyantra/joseph.html