One of my absolute favorite subtle therapies in Vedic Sciences is Mantra and Japa. Sound therapy with Mantra has transformed my life and saved me at times of crisis. It is also one of the remedies that blends science and spirit medicine with ease.

Sound therapy is one of the subtle therapies in Ayurveda.  Sound (Shabda) includes music, counseling, speech therapy, and mantra.

What is Mantra?

Mantra is a repetition of Sanskrit words in a melodic tone, while using a Mala (string of 108 gems/beads), which offers a profound effect on calming mental chatter, reducing the body’s stress response.

Studying mantra with Dr. Lad was my favorite experiences at the Ayurvedic Institute.

I learned that there are different mantras for every health condition, different mala gems are prescribed according to the mantra, and the mantra should be done for 40 days to have an effect on our biochemistry.

A mantra can be prescribed to an individual according to their Ayurvedic pulse, their specific health condition, their Vedic chart, or to enhance a desire for success, clarity, advice, mental health, and for connection to the Divine.

How we hold and care for the mala beads does matter, according to Vedic wisdom.

Hold the mala in your right hand (this represents your present life, while the left hand is your past life), roll the beads on your middle or ring finger with your thumb, avoid supporting the beads with your index finger or pinky, don’t cross the Guru or center bead, and keep your mala protecting in a sachet as it holds energy. It’s not actually meant to be a fashionable necklace, so if you do wear it protect it beneath your garment.

What’s with the 108 beads?

Dr. Lad explained this in accordance to both the celestial body and human body.

There are 9 planets and 12 months, 9 x 12=108.

The human body is considered to have 108 marma points.  These marma points are the foundation for acupuncture & acupressure.  107 of these points are located on the human body, as resource centers for the body’s energy and vitality.  Through the chakra system, we can access the 108th marma point, connecting to our soul.

What is Japa?

Japa is not the actual repetition of words or phrases, but rather contemplation on the meaning of the mantra.

There is also Bija, which is a single sound/tone which has affinity for and can balance an element, organ, and chakra. A great example of a bija is AUM (OM), frequently used in meditation for opening the crown chakra and the bringing of enlightenment.

The Magical beginnings of Mantra

According to Vedic Science (Ayurveda/Yoga), mantras were first heard by yogis and rishis (Vedic seers) while in deep meditation (samadhi). This means mantras were not created in a normal state of consciousness as with other art and literature, but in a state of higher consciousness.

The ancient yogis and seers (rishis) practiced a way of life that put them in a constant state of awareness, directing their energy toward the highest chakra, in a tranquil state of mind, inspired by divine love. In that state, being completely absorbed in their essence, they heard these sound compositions, and when they returned to normal consciousness, they chanted them from memory. Later these mantras were collected and compiled as Vedas by the four disciples of the sage Vyasa.  – Harish Johari (Tools of Tantra)

The other fascinating addition to understanding the power of mantra is that Sanskrit is not only one of the oldest languages but it’s also a healing language.  

The different tones within Sanskrit create vibrations associated with healing different organs and body systems. These tones are also associated with the 5 elements, alchemized into music that can heal.

Scientific explanation of Mantra

For the science mind these healing tones can be explained with the Vagus nerve (aka Soul Nerve).  Vibrations being stimulated by different tones created by the tongue/mouth/sinus/vocal cords, then traveling to all the organs, as the Vagus nerve intercepts every organ as it migrates throughout the nervous system.

The other scientific explanation is the effect of sound on the microbiome.  (I’m sure you saw this coming, if you have read any of my other articles). 

All microbes, bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. are stimulated by sound waves and frequencies.  This has been proven many times over by researchers in Quantum physics and microbiology.

As we are mostly microbes, and every organ system has its own unique microbiome, different frequencies and tones would have an affinity and influence upon certain microbes. 

Mantra as a healing remedy

According to Samkya our universe and life as we know was created from sound, the big bang, and both our outer and inner ecology is a symphony of sound.

Throughout history music has enhanced healing, liberated us from suffering, and connected all living beings.  There is melody in all the elements, from wind to water.  Plants communicate through frequencies, exuding their own music and responding accordingly to the sounds around them.

Toning our inner music can align our healing frequencies.  When I’m supporting a person in their healing process, my internal mantras are balancing me so I can be fully present for them.  It’s an honor to help others who are open in creating a daily practice with sound therapy.  People from all backgrounds and variables have shared with me the immense benefit from such a simple remedy.  I’m curious to hear from you, do you have stories on healing through sound?