Fw: Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning

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Dear All :

 

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V.Sadagopan

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" Shaasa A. Ruzicka " <amritasyaputra

 

Sunday, September 04, 2005 8:15 PM

Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning

 

 

>

> Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning

>

> The MUM Review, 6.Feb. 2002, by Brynne Sissom

>

> The physiological effects of reading Sanskrit are similar to those

> experienced during the Transcendental Meditation® technique, according to

> research recently completed by Dr. Fred Travis, director of the

> ERG/psychophysiology lab of Maharishi University of Management in

> Fairfield, Iowa, USA.

>

> Dr. Travis asked his test subjects to read passages from the Bhagavad-Gita

> in Sanskrit and in modern foreign languages (Spanish, French, or German).

> In each case they could pronounce the sounds but did not know the meaning.

> He measured brain wave patterns (ERG), heart and breath rate, and galvanic

> skin resistance during two reading sessions and during a 15-minute session

> of the Transcendental Meditation technique.

>

> He found that while they read Sanskrit their physiology was similar to

> those measured during the Transcendental Meditation technique, but

> significantly different from reading a modern language.

>

> Their skin resistance steadily increased during reading Sanskrit and

> during practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique (showing

> greater stability in their physiology) but remained the same during the

> reading of a modern language.

>

> Their ERG alpha power and coherence during reading Sanskrit were also

> similar to that during the practice of the Transcendental Meditation

> technique, and both of these were higher than when the subjects read a

> modern language.

>

> Dr. Travis said that these findings support Maharishi's predictions on the

> effects of reading Sanskrit. Maharishi, in Vedic Knowledge for Everyone,

> predicted that reading the Vedic Literature as it flows and progresses in

> perfect sequential order has the effect of regulating and balancing the

> functioning of the brain physiology and training consciousness, the mind,

> to always flow in perfect accordance with the evolutionary direction of

> Natural Law.

>

> Dr. Travis found the similarity of physiology during reading Sanskrit and

> the Transcendental Meditation technique is especially noteworthy because

> one reads with his or her eyes open and engages in active perceptual and

> cognitive processes, while the Transcendental Meditation technique is done

> with one's eyes closed and entails a reduction of mental activity. This

> suggests that the state gained during the practice of the Transcendental

> Meditation technique may be integrated with active mental processes by

> reading Sanskrit.

>

> Dr. Travis said, " The Transcendental Meditation technique takes the

> awareness to pure consciousness at the source of thought. Seeing similar

> patterns of physiology during reading Sanskrit as during the

> Transcendental Meditation technique suggests that reading Sanskrit

> enlivens pure consciousness at the source of thought and integrates that

> state with reading and speaking. In short, while practice of the

> Transcendental Meditation technique locates pure consciousness, leading to

> the state of Transcendental Consciousness, reading Sanskrit integrates

> inner silence with outer activity, helping to cultivate enlightenment. "

>

>

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