Sacred Sounds Mantras & Chants - Types, Benefits, Methods

Types of Sacred Sounds | Examples of Sacred Sounds | Benefits of Sacred Sounds |Methods of Sacred Sounds

Sacred sounds are spoken words, hymns, music, or any form of sound that transcends you and helps you connect with the Divine. Such sounds have been practiced in many traditions and religions for ages as they help to define and improve spiritual states and connections. The idea of sacred sounds exists in many religious traditions, Tantric and Yogic philosophies, classical music, and other theologies and faiths. Several religions are intricately woven with the concept of sacred sounds and many significant religious rituals rely on the use of them.

Some of the common sacred sounds are found in the form of seed words, chants, duas, devotional songs, prayers and mantras. Read on to know more about them.

Types of sacred sounds

Chants – These are rhythmical repetitions of prayers, songs, sounds, or words. They can be uttered either aloud or silently. They exist in most religions and have been used since the ancient times in various spiritual practices. The use of chants is very common in yoga; it is believed that such sacred sounds have healing powers. These sacred sounds can be chanted in many different forms. For example, Gregorian chants include psalms and prayers. It is also believed that through chanting one can stay in communion with God. Repeating some chants can open up your heart and ease your mind, not to mention stimulate your chakras and energize your senses.
Mantras – While “man” means the mind, “tra” means vehicle of transportation. So, “mantra” means an instrument that can transport your mind into a deeper state of concentration while you meditate. A mantra replaces 10,000 different ideas with just one, a thought that offers awareness and peace. It enables you to focus your scattered attention and unify it, thus empowering it in the process. Mantras come in the form of vibrations or sounds. Pandit Vamadeva Shastri (Dr. David Frawley) believes that if you use mantras the right way, they can even help you alter any unwanted habits, impulses, and afflictions⁽¹⁾. You can heal your life force, or Prana, by easily incorporating mantras into your daily life. According to a research paper⁽²⁾, mantras can oxygenate the brain, reduce blood pressure and heart rate, calm brainwave activity, and help resist external mental disturbances.
There are many popular mantras that are used in yoga or religious practices. While many Hindu mantras are written in Sanskrit, mantras are found in almost every language, including Hindi, Latin, Hebrew, English, and more. In Christianity, the name Jesus or Jesus Christ is the simplest sacred sound that can be repeated. The Jews recite Barukh atah Adonai, while Sikhs chant Waheguru.
Sacred syllables – Om is believed to be a sacred syllable that is the source of the entire universe. It is also known as the Brahmnaad, and the sound was recorded by the Sheffield University, UK as the sound that our Sun emits. Many forms of the primordial sound are recited in different religions: as Hum by the Tibetans, Ameen by Muslims, and Amen by the Christians. The National Centre for Biotechnology Information recognizes OM as the elemental chant that offers physiological rest and mental alertness⁽³⁾. Research by the Universities of Hong Kong has shown that chanting this has a positive effect on the brain, subsiding emotions such as stress and fear⁽⁴⁾.
Duas & Prayers – Dua is an Arabic word that translates to invocation or appeal, and it is an act of worshiping through request. With duas, you can express your submission to the Almighty. Some examples of dua include Allahu Akbar and Bismillah Ar-Rahmaan Ar-Raheem. Duas or prayers allow the practitioner to be one with God, and we can find their use in every religion. For example, the Om Jai Jagadish Hare is a very popular Hindu prayer. Similarly ‘Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me’ is another very popular prayer for repentance and mercy.
Devotional songs – Devotional songs are hymns that are used in religious practices and rituals. Every major religion has its own forms of devotional songs. Some major examples include Bhajan, Qawwali, Dapha music, Sufi music, Gospel music, and Kirtan.

Examples of sacred sounds

Sacred sounds come in many different forms depending on the religious source. Below are some of the most powerful examples from different faiths.

Hinduism

Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare (Popularly known as the Maha Mantra)
Om Namah Shivaya (I bow to Lord Shiva)
Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu (May all beings in existence be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all)
Om Gum Ganapataye Namah (I bow to Ganesh, who is capable of removing all obstacles)

Islam

Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim (In the name of the Gracious and the Merciful Allah)
Subhaan Allah (Glory to Allah)
Alhamdo lillah (All praise to Allah)
Allaho akbar (Allah is the Greatest)
Astaghfirullah (I seek mercy from Allah)

Buddhism

Om mani padme hum (Homage to the jewel in the lotus)
Om ah hum (A chant to help clarify the body, speech, and mind)
Om a ra pa ca na dhih (A chant to improve your skills and wisdom)
Om vajrapani hum (A chant to free you from delusions and hate)
Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa (Honor to the Blessed, the Glorious, the completely Enlightened One)

Christianity

Kyrie Eleison, Christe Eleison (Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy)
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus (Holy hymn)
Agnus Dei (Holy hymn)
Jesus prayer (Mercy prayer)
Amen

Sikhism

Aad Guray Nameh (for protection)
En Onkar (to connect to the beautiful soul inside)
Ang Sang Wahe Guru (to remove loneliness)

Judaism

Modeh Ani (Thanking prayer)
Barukh atah Adonai (Blessing prayer)

Scientific benefits of sacred sounds

Mantras and chants are proven to help you enhance your mental strength and release stress. Even if you are not a religious person, you can benefit greatly from sacred sounds. Their transformative powers are backed by science. When you repeat a mantra, it impacts your lungs, blood circulation, and the abdomen, which you use while creating the mantra notes, as noted in L R Chowdhry’s book “Rejuvenate with Kundalini Mantra Yoga⁽⁵⁾. Research on sacred sounds at Brahmvarchas Shodh Sansthan has revealed that when you are voicing an energy-based sound or word, it creates vibrations on the physical level. This creates thought-energy waves, and your body vibrates in rhythm with that energy.

The neuro-linguistic effects of rhythmic mantras have also been recognized in the realm of science. Interestingly, to enjoy the benefits of chants, you do not need to know their meaning. A chant has its own punctuations, pronunciation, pauses, length, notation, and force. You have to follow them and repeat them conscientiously. With time, this practice will help you transcend the physical and be in touch with the spiritual. However, it is always preferable that you learn the meaning of the sacred sounds you are using. It can make the mantras more effective and help you reach your spiritual and mental goal sooner. This is known as the Psycholinguistic effect (PLE).

According to a research article ⁽⁶⁾, repeating mantras is a simple, quick, and private practice that can complement treatments for PTSD. Moreover, the Corsini Encyclopedia of Psychology and Behavioral Science states that the physiological benefits of mantra repetition include lowered levels of tension, decreased blood pressure, and increased alpha wave production.

When you regularly listen to sacred sounds, they help regulate your blood pressure, brain waves, heart rate, and the level of adrenaline in your body. However, you cannot listen to just any mantra or chant, as each has a specific purpose. So, be mindful when selecting one.

Incorporate these sacred sounds into your daily schedule. They synchronize your body, breath, mind, and voice, which enhances the effectiveness of the process and boosts spiritual awakening. With the proper use of sacred sounds, you can ensure your all-round well-being and cultivate inner contentment.

Methods of chanting sacred sounds

Sacred sounds can be used with different practices like meditation, visualization, or devotion. If you want to take a more secular route, meditating with sacred sounds repetition can help you achieve your spiritual goal. But whichever route you wish to take, you must follow these guidelines to get the most out of your session:

Posture: While meditating with sacred sounds, it is always better to opt for a sitting position with your eyes closed. This helps interiorize your mind. But you can also repeat or practice the sounds when you are engaged in daily chores as well. This way you can practice meditation even when you are otherwise occupied.
Force and loudness: The force and the volume of the sacred sound being spoken depend on your state of mind. If your mind is distracted, it is always better to repeat the chants more loudly and with greater force. This allows you to concentrate better on the words. Once you are able to focus, you can ease into gentler chanting. Eventually, with your mind completely focused, you can start chanting silently.
Proper breathing: Breathing appropriately is an essential part of meditation while chanting sacred sounds. Synchronize your breathing with the mantra. You can speak half of it while inhaling and the other half while exhaling. You can also speak it only when exhaling and remain silent while inhaling, if this suits you more. Another way to practice this is to only focus on the mantra and pay no attention to your breathing. As you continue to chant, your breathing will naturally synchronize with the chant’s rhythm.

What’s next?

If you want to enrich your life with powerful sacred sounds, you can use the Ruhgu app. It offers soul-stirring music based on ancient chants, mantras, prayers and other sacred sounds created by multi-award-winning vocalists, composers, and studios. Our app also provides a wide collection of spirit stories that are based on the real-life experiences of seers and mystics.

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