What is the importance of chanting during meditation?

[aluokaloo]

Why do some people chant during meditation? I'm curious about that.

[Toki Wartooth]

Like mantras? I finished reading A Book of Pagan Prayer by Ceisiwr Serith, and it seems that chanting things can lead to a state of ecstasy. I've never chanted or felt that experience myself, but I'm sure others have.

One of my own thoughts is that it probably helps some people to focus. Vocalizing seems closer to being tangible than, say, visualizing solely in the mind.

[Nitefalle]

When I used to take Kundalini Yoga classes, we started every class with the same short chant, which we repeated three times. It personally helps me focus, to just be in the moment without my mind being overwhelmed by surface thoughts. It's a good way to start off grounding / centering exercises, in my opinion.

[darkchild]

I regularly add "Om Mani Padme Hum" to my meditation practice. It's a tibetan chant, but it does wonders to help me feel a connection, if you will, to the universe. I'm looking into adding more chants of different types because of the success I've had with this one simple chant.

I think that there are some words or phrases that have been spoken so often by so many people in the world with the same intent that they actually carry that intent with them, and when a person says them, even if they don't know the meaning, it comes into their heart anyway. Am I weird?

[mtpathy]

best analogy i can think of is that its like being a tuning fork that just been struck.

[Thyrsos]

best analogy i can think of is that its like being a tuning fork that just been struck.

Quite so. Each mantra has it's own particular vibrational frequency, so you might try a few til you find one that resonates for you. There are actually differenet mantras for different purposes.

Sri Ram
Jai Ram
Jai Jai Ram

Om Shiva Shankara, Hari Hari Ganga

Gate, Gate
Paragate
ParasamGate
Bodhi Svaha

[RainInanna]

I resonate most with the tuning fork analogy. That said, I believe some use mantras and chants to busy the "monkey mind" as well, so one can sort of soothe it into quietness.

[mtpathy]

"monkey mind" .

ive never heard anyone else use that term other then me, thats actually my nick in a zen forum and myspace.


just a side note...

[RainInanna]

ive never heard anyone else use that term other then me, thats actually my nick in a zen forum and myspace.


just a side note...

I'm sure I picked it up from some Buddhist reading I did awhile ago. Can't remember which exactly. But I like the term, it seems to fit!

[HetHert]

I like the term Monkey Mind and I too just came across it while working on breathing and meditation.

Good analogy mtpathy. Can I borrow it? :thumbsup:

[mtpathy]

I like the term Monkey Mind and I too just came across it while working on breathing and meditation.

Good analogy mtpathy. Can I borrow it? :thumbsup:

spread the love

[Sequoia]

I'll have to agree and say that it's mostly a focusing technique.

[Kodi]

Why do some people chant during meditation? I'm curious about that.

i use two main mantras in my meditation. it helps me focus and clear my mind. it helps stop all the 'chatter' in my head and focus more on Spirit. i hardly ever meditate without chanting. but it's usually never out loud.


:)

[Band Zombie]

Chanting is nice, it does calm the mind

[Astara Seague]

yes Id say its a focusing tool..although not neccisary if you dont feel the need to
I rarely chant during my sessions but many I know do and wouldnt be able to without chanting

[Seafoam]

My teacher explains it is for focusing but also the vibrations. Recently attended teaching in Wisconsin. Monk chanting before teaching was amazing. Teachings are on line and when I returned home I was listening to them on my laptop. My kitty came running from another room, settled on the couch next to the laptop and went to sleep. Happend each time I've played Buddhist chants. Also, kitty comes and settles near me each night when I meditate. I really believe in its focusing power.

[Teresa]

If the chants are spoken properly with pronounciation and tone they help to relax you and ease you into the proper focus for the meditation.

Rhythms and Chants play a huge part in my spirituality.

I agree with the others, good analogy mtpathy!

[Beemer_Man_Wong]

Chanting can be a source of focus in meditation. However, it is often overused to the point where it becomes the /main/ focus. It is an aid in calming the mind initially, but as one moves deeper into mindfullness it becomes overly tedious and gets in the way of looking deeply. The same goes for counting breaths; once the body is calmed to the point where you are fully mindful of the breath, the counting just gets in the way, and you follow the breath in and out instinctively.

Chanting can also be used to invoke imagery if your specific purpose is to focus on an image. For example, you may chant Om mani padme hum while you focus on the image of the Buddha. The image of the buddha is also a focus for your own buddha nature, so you focus on your buddha nature through the transitive property.

You may also chant to bring about feelings in yourself. LovingKindness meditation evokes compassion for others by repeating the words "may they be well, may they be happy, may they be free from suffering".


In simple cultivation of mindfulness meditation, however, chanting may be getting in the way of mindfulness rather than helping.