Guest guest Posted January 22, 2010 Report Share Posted January 22, 2010 Sat nam, How does one compare and contrast the benefits of silent chanting vs. chanting out loud? Is out loud inherently 'better' because of the vibrations through the palate? Any info appreciated. Regards, Jackie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 Sat Nam. This is such a great question, given the discussions swirling around, and also the stuff I've been learning recently! We've all heard the phrase: " You are what you eat " , right? Simple, sound advice, yes? Well, in Buddhist teachings, it's actually taught that: " You are what you think " . They literally believe you are 100% you thoughts, and nothing exists without them(!). And, as such, they go on to deduce if you think more positively, you increase positive karma, and you reduce your negative thoughts, you decrease negative karma. Although that's (perhaps) off topic for now... Following on that, in present day research, scientists are finding out more about our thoughts... Recently they have discovered that our thoughts literally form into words in our brain(!). So, 'Thought-Words' behave just like our 'Spoken-Words', and they are based on the same syllabic phrasing and neural-linguistic connections. So... What am I thinking right now? That there's no such thing as 'better'. You could even say they are the same, and have the same effect - as far as the brain, your three minds, your subconscious, unconscious, superconscious, and the 81 chambers of the mind, is concerned. BUT, well, as far as the body is concerned, there's obviously a difference. Vocalized mantras are Body Mantras - they vibrate your cells, heart, throat, lips, tongue, the air inside you (vayus), the energy around you (aura), and yes, your brain through the palate (just say " Guroooooooo " 5 times powerfully to experience it). A Buddhist may not define a difference, but physically, as a Yogi, you are using your body as a chamber and instrument to physically project and vibrate the sounds externally and internally. Shabd, reading of the prayers, churning the tongue in the " cave/mouth of the guru " (Gurmukhi), and the vibratory effects of music and sound-current (Naam) all play a very important, and essential part of our Kundalini Yoga. I would say... in my guess, and this is more of an opinion, or rationalization (sorry if it sounds " truthy " , and not " true " ) the mantras you vocalize work more on your Physical and Energetic bodies, while the mantras you vibrate mentally work more on your Subtle bodies. Both work on your Mental and Soul bodies. So ultimately, what's 'better' is to have a balance of them all. Fateh Singh Snip: > How does one compare and contrast the benefits of silent chanting vs. chanting out loud? Is out loud inherently 'better' because of the vibrations through the palate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 23, 2010 Report Share Posted January 23, 2010 Mantra meditation vs. Silent meditation (simran) p. 133 in Aquarian Teacher's manual: Silent meditation allows the subconscious to dump, and makes you aware of the mind’s many experiences. Watching the breath and the mind gradually provokes awareness. However, it does not remove the deep samskaras – the deepest imprints of the unconscious. To change the deepest subconscious, a seed is needed. That seed or bij, has 3 main functions: it acts as a focus for the mind; it acts as a fulcrum over which thoughts can be leveraged up to the Infinite; it acts as a template of theInfinite to form a new imprint or model in the mind. The ideal seed is a mantra; mantras pre-exist as the DNA of God; they are in the cell of each creation. When you vibrate mantras in rhythm, you vibrate a seed, a template of Infinity, that resides in every cell and atom of you like spiritual DNA. When you vibrate as one in an ecstasyof consciousness, you become the mantra and the entire universe meditates on you. a. Silence awakens you to what is subconscious. b. Mantra transforms the content of the subconscious. c. Merger through rhythm and naad takes you into Anahat (seeing the Infinite in each finite), which changes the structure of the consciousness itself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 SatnamPossibly someone a little more technically oriented can comment on the different effects of chanting Kundalini yoga mantras out loud as opposed to silently. Either, if done with deep focus and consistent concentration, will alter/uplift the entire presence of the person chanting. Yogi Bhajan stated, at the last mens course he taught in New Mexico some years ago, "All one has to do in meditation - is hear your own sounds." And from my experience - keep hearing your own sounds! My mind used to be very "busy" in meditation (translating the Aquarian sadhana mantras in my mind - while chanting outloud) until I heard him say that!Blessings to All - especially in Haiti! Jot Singh http://www.thekhalsaraj.com http://www.khalsakirpans.comWatch the Artisan-made kirpan video-click below!http://www.khalsakirpans.com/artisankirpan1/videohttp://www.lifeknives.comVisit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/jot.s.khalsaIt's not the life that matters-It's the courage you bring to it.The Three Laws of ProsperityBe kind to everyoneNever speak ill of anyoneNever speak ill of yourselfYogi Bhajan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 24, 2010 Report Share Posted January 24, 2010 Sat Nam, I heard Yogi Bhajan say that chanting silently is best for distance healing. But in practice, I find that resonating the sound out loud engages my whole being to simultaneously beam the mantra's silent blessings wherever and in any way Guru deems best. It is an imagination, an intention on my part. The rest is the work of the Divine. Loving Blessings, SS Guru Prem Kaur Khalsa www.yogagems.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 25, 2010 Report Share Posted January 25, 2010 This question comes up often in class and in teacher trainings. Yogi Bhajan told Harijiwan personally that there is no difference between chanting silently, in a whisper, or out loud. his instructions were clear: just saturate your mind with the mantra. When a specific meditation calls for a specific way of chanting however, you should always do what the meditation calls for. Otherwise you are not doing the meditation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2010 Report Share Posted January 27, 2010 Sat Nam, This is a wonderful question and there have been many wonderful responses so far. I believe that the topic of the various ways of chanting could easily fill a book. Each type of connection with a mantra - listening, silently repeating, whispering, chanting aloud, etc. has a specific benefit and effect. There is so much to explore and describe on this topic, for now I will offer two examples: 1. Gatka - silently chanting a mantra - gets you to relate to yourself at a certain frequency, so that the entire world will relate to you at this frequency. And you can do this anywhere at any time! 2. Jap-Jap - saying a mantra alound and then listening. Chant Sat Nam, listen to Sat Nam, chant Sat Nam, listen Sat Nam, etc. The whole universe begins to chant to you, everything will sing to you. Blessings, Adarsh Kaur Kundalini-Yoga , " youcanuketoo " <youcanuketoo wrote: > > Sat nam, > > How does one compare and contrast the benefits of silent chanting vs. chanting out loud? Is out loud inherently 'better' because of the vibrations through the palate? > > Any info appreciated. > > Regards, > > Jackie > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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