Ayurveda and Mantra

Ayurveda and Mantra
by Gary Gran | Jan/Feb Columnists 2014

A mantra is a sound, syllable, or a series of sounds and syllables used for
meditation. The word “mantra” derives from the Sanskrit root “man,” meaning
“to meditate.” This same root appears in Greek as “menos” (mind) and in Latin
as “mens” (mind). In English we have the related words “men,” “mind,” and
“mental.”
We can also break the word “mantra” down into its two syllables. “Man” refers
to mind. “Tra” means instrument. So mantra is an instrument of the mind. This
instrument is sometimes described as a place for the mind to stand or to be
supported.
In ayurveda, there is an expression, “meditation is the medication” for what is
ailing you. In this series of articles we will examine the use of mantra
meditation for healing and stabilizing the mind.
Most of the mantras we will discuss are derived from the Sanskrit language.
Sanskrit is an ancient language of the Indo-European language family and is
thereby related to modern English. In Sanskrit there are three pure vowel
sounds. They are “a,” “i,” and “u,” pronounced like the vowels in “mom,”
“team,” and “loom,” respectively. The “a” sound is formed in the throat, the “i”
sound is formed near the center of the mouth, and the “u” sound is formed
near the opening of the mouth. The sound of “a” naturally vibrates in the
chest and throat; “i” vibrates in the head; “u” vibrates in the whole body.
According to the sciences of yoga and ayurveda, this vibration can create a
healing effect.
Practice: Take a few moments to sit up straight, relax the body, and slow
down the breath. When ready, with an exhalation, create a prolonged “a”
sound and feel the vibration in the chest and throat. Then relax as you inhale.
Then repeat a few times before switching to the “i” sound. Feel the “i” sound
vibrating in the head. Then try the “u” sound. You may feel this vibration in
the whole body. Towards the end of the “u” sound, feel the vibration centering
on the navel area. When finished, sit still and simply be aware of the effects of
the practice.
These sounds can be fully vocalized like singing or they can be sounded “on
the breath” like a prolonged whisper. Later on, they can be sounded in the
mind only and directed to different locations within the body-mind field.
Ayurveda teaches that kapha (phlegm) accumulates in the head and upper
torso, pitta (heat and bile) in the middle torso, and vata (wind) in the lower
torso. The “i” sound can help clear the head and sinuses. The “a” sound can
help open the heart and release excess heat, and the “u” sound can be used
to ground and center excess wind in the low abdomen.
Practice: Pronounce the three vowels, one after the other, with a long
exhalation. Start with “i” pronounced “eeee” and feel the vibration in the
head. Then switch to the “a” and feel the vibration in the chest. Finish the
exhalation with “u” felt in the low abdomen. Then relax and be aware of the
effect.
After the pure vowels come the diphthongs, or combinations of two vowels.
“A” and “i” together make the diphthong “ai” or “e,” pronounced like “I” in “I
am.” Try pronouncing “i” and hearing both the “a” and “i” sounds. “A” and “u”
combined make the diphthong “au” or “o” as in the famous mantra “aum” or
“om.” This sound can be pronounced like the “o” in “home,” or both the “a”
and “u” sounds can be heard sequentially.
Vowel sounds are followed by the consonant “m” to create powerful one-
syllable mantras known as seed mantras. The “m” sound is used to
concentrate and prolong the vibratory effect and helps lead the mind to
silence. For example, let’s consider the mantra “aum.” The “a” sound is
formed in the throat, the “u” sound in the mouth, and the “m” sound with the
lips closed. According to the Mandukya Upanishad, these three sounds are
followed by a silence. The four parts of the mantra are said to represent our
waking state (a), dream state (u), sleep state (m), and beyond (silence). The
mantra is a vehicle, or support, to help carry us through the various states of
consciousness to the silent source of our being. Ayurveda considers this
source to be the source of true healing.
Practice: Sit up straight, relax the body, and slow down the breath. Then,
with an exhalation, create the sound “aum.” The first half of the exhalation is
filled with the two vowel sounds. The last half of the exhalation is filled with
the “m” sound trailing into silence as the breath ends. After inhaling, repeat
“aum” with the next exhalation, only this time sound it “on the breath” like a
whisper. On the third exhalation, hear the sound in the mind only. To conclude
the practice, simply rest in the silence. The goal is to let the sound lead the
mind to silence.
The vowel sounds provide the shakti, or energy, of the mantras. Consonants
give the mantras specific structures or forms. Adding an “s” sound before a
vowel is called a sibilant. Adding an “h” sound before a vowel is called an
aspirant. For example, in English, these basic sounds are found in the words
“she” and “he.” For the next practice, use the sound “so” on the inhalation
and the sound “ham” on the exhalation. These sounds are considered to be
the natural sound of the breath.
Practice: Sit up straight, relax the body, and become aware of the flow of the
breath. Now, as you inhale, coordinate the sound “so” with the breath. The
sound is heard in the mind only. Upon exhalation, the sound changes to “ham”
with the “m” sound drawn out in the mind to match the exhalation. Then
change back to “so” as the breath transitions smoothly back to the inhalation
without a pause or gap in the breath or in the sound.
This continuous flowing sound is very soothing and healing to the mind and
energy fields. Ayurveda teaches that “so-ham” helps balance all the pairs of
opposite qualities such as female-male, moon-sun, cold-hot, damp-dry, heavy-
light, and slow-fast in a subtle way. This practice can also be coordinated
with leading the breath and the mantra up and down the spine. This type of
practice is known as a kriya, or action, that helps purify, unblock, and
channel prana, the life force.
The Vedas teach that the primal sound “aum” created the entire universe.
Mantras are considered to be a manifestation and creative expression of chit-
shakti, the unity of consciousness (chit) and power (shakti). A mantra thus
has the power to awaken consciousness, or better, is the power of
consciousness itself. A mantra has the power to support and protect the
mind, regulate the flow of prana, and heal the body-mind-spirit complex.

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Ayurveda and Mantra

by Gary Gran | Jan/Feb Columnists 2014

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