Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning

[maadhav]

 

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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."

by Brynne Sissom

 

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