The Healing Power of Mantra: Balancing The Doshas
As of one my favourite Ayurvedic teachers David Fawley shares sound has a tremendous power to condition our consciousness for good or for ill. In fact, most conditions occur through the medium of sound that structures our minds. Whether as words or music, no other sensory potential has such a capacity to affect us. Sounds move the mind and the heart, influencing us on the subconscious, conscious, and superconscious levels. It can reach deep inside and touch our core desires and aspirations.
In Ayurveda, Mantra is often used to balance the doshas – Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The word “Mantra” means that which saves, trayati, the mind, Manas. Mantra is the main and most direct Ayurvedic tool for healing the mind from its deepest layers to its surface actions. These sacred sounds which are often chanted in Sanskrit can impact our vibration, frequency, and energy at a cellular level and may offer a vital role in healing the body, mind and spirit.
When using mantras with foundational Ayurvedic wisdom to balance the doshas the chants can act as a paradigm shift for healing, overall wellness and overcoming subconscious blocks in the nadis and chakras (subtle body). As an Ayurvedic Practitioner, I often use mantras with my clients to support transformation from the inside out on a subconscious level. They are also a significant part of my personal spiritual practice. Mantras can be chanted aloud or silently and are often chanted 108 times with a mala. This is known as a form of meditation known as Japa.
Applications of Mantras:
Used by a practitioner to energize the healing process or by clients to increase their own healing.
Can be used to purify the treatment room/healing space.
Can be used to energize the healing powers of herbs or medicines. I use KRIM (pronounced ‘cream’) when cooking or putting herbal preparations together as it helps them work better!
For mental or nervous disorders, for example, SHAM relieves pain, tremors, and mental unrest.
Benefits of Mantra:
1. Can be soothing to the body and mind working on a consciousness and cellular level
2. Releases negative thought loop patterns
3. Can reduce anxiety, depression and lift emotional mood
4. Engenders compassion and connects to love energy (bhakti)
5. Supports overall wellness, immunity and balances doshas
6. Invites intuition and Divine guidance
7. It is easy and free
8. It increases radiance and magnetism
9. It is empowering and clears the throat chakra
10. Can be a preparatory portal for meditation and improve
focus
Mantras and The Biological Humours:
Mantra Therapy for Balancing the Vata Dosha
The Vata Dosha is made of air and ether, therefore, to bring balance to Vata we must add chants and mantras that vibrate with more earth and water energy. Warming energy is also balancing.
Some symptoms that appear when Vata dosha is out of balance are anxiety, overwhelm, worry, feeling ungrounded, inability to focus and finish projects, rapid and rambling speech, feeling cold, nervous system disorders, excessive dryness, constipation, gas, alternating constipation, and diarrhea.
Essentially, anytime inconsistency and change is resulting in movement in the mind and body Vata will be disturbed. A great example of this is when you travel and the unease you may feel on a physical and emotional level. This is a result of so much air, cold, and dryness.
Sounds that are grounding, warm, soothing, calming, gentle, slower, sweet, and rhythmic are best. Below are some chants that really support the Vata Dosha.
Basic Seed and Shakta Chants for Vata:
Vam (Vum), Lam (Lum), Gam (Gum), Klim (Kleem), Shrim (Shreem), Hrim (Hreem)
Aum Kleem Shreem Hreem Namaha
Vum, Lum Aum
Other Chants:
INVOCATION TO GANESHA
Pronunciation: Om gam ganapataye namah
Translation: Salutations to Ganesha. Grant me freedom from obstacles.
Why chant it:
Ganesha is the god of wisdom, success, and the remover of obstacles. It is always a good idea to begin any new endeavour by invoking his energetic imprint.
ADI MANTRA (ONG NAMO GURU DAV NAMO)
Pronunciation: Oong namo | Gurudav namo ||
Translation: (Gurmukhi) I bow to the creative energy of the infinite. I bow to the Divine channel of wisdom.
Why chant it:
This Gurmukhi mantra opens the communication channel between the student and the Divine Teacher. We like to think that it also opens us to new endeavours and gives us the strength to try something new.
These mantras can be repeated throughout the day and before meditation. Using a Japa Mala and repeating 108 times or any denomination thereof.
Mantra Therapy for Balancing the Pitta Dosha
The Pitta dosha is made mainly of fire and little water; therefore, to bring balance to Pitta we must add chants and mantras that vibrate with the more cooling energy of the earth, water and the sweetness of love or the air element.
Some symptoms that appear when Pitta dosha is out of balance are anger, criticism, blaming, feeling hot, intense and excessive focus leading to burnout, sharp speech, rashes, diarrhea, heartburn or acid reflux, inflammation of any type. Essentially, anytime there is too much heat and intensity in the mind and body Pitta will be aggravated.
Sounds that are cooling, soothing to the mind, calming, gentle, slower, sweet, and rhythmic are best. Below are some chants that really support the Pitta Dosha. Also, silent chanting is a good option for Pitta.
Basic Seed and Shakta Chants for Pitta:
Vam (Vum), Lam (Lum), Yam (Yum) Shrim (shreem), Aim
Aum Shreem Aim Namaha
Vum, Lum Aum
Other Chants:
SHANTI MANTRA
Pronunciation: Om śāntiḥ śāntiḥ śāntiḥ .... A-U-M Shanti Shanti Shanti
Translation: Om Peace Peace Peace
Pronunciation: sarveshamsvastir bhavatu | sarveshamshantir bhavatu | sarveshampurnam bhavatu | sarveshammangalambhavatu ||
Translation:
May there be well-being for all,
May there be peace for all.
May there be wholeness for all,
May there be happiness for all.
And the shorter version:
Why chant it:
Increase peace and well-being.
“When sound, breath, and awareness come together, it becomes light…So Hum meditation properly practiced leads to the union of the individual with the universal Cosmic Consciousness. You will go beyond thought, beyond time and space, beyond cause and effect. Limitations will vanish.”
Dr. Vasant Lad
SO HUM (SILENT BREATH MEDITATION) AS TAUGHT BY DR. LAD
So Hum Meditation has existed in India throughout the ages. It synchronizes the movement of the breath with the mantra that fits naturally into the inhalation (So) and exhalation (Hum). So is felt and said mentally during the whole phase of inhalation and Hum during the exhalation. The literal translation of So Hum is “I am that,” while the deeper meaning is “I am that pure awareness.” This mantra calms the mind, yet simultaneously focuses and sharpens it.
How to Practice:
Begin by taking several slow, deep breaths, establishing yourself in the practice of Full Yogic Breath. When you are ready to practice So Hum, shift your awareness as follows.
As you breathe in, feel that you are beginning the inhalation at the base of the spine. With the inhale, draw your awareness up the front of the body, along the midline, to the center of the brain. Mentally chant “So” during this inhalation. When you reach the top of the inhale, hold your breath in a short retention.
As you breathe out, mentally chant “Hum.” Visualize the breath leaving the center of the brain, moving down the throat and returning to the base of the spine along the midline of the back of the body. When you reach the bottom of the exhale, pause before beginning.
Mantra Therapy for Balancing the Kapha Dosha
The Kapha dosha is made of earth and water, therefore, to bring balance to Kapha we must add chants and mantras that vibrate with more air and ether energy.
Some symptoms that appear when Kapha dosha is out of balance are stubbornness, depression, melancholy, congestion, dullness, unchangeability, sluggish digestion, nausea, sleepy after eating, water retention, weight gain, and overly attached to possessions and people. Essentially, with a lack of movement, dullness and too much sweetness and moisture Kapha will be vitiated. An example of this is in the Spring time and allergies.
Sounds that are uplifting, warming, inspiring, invigorating, sl, sweet, and rhythmic are best. Below are some chants that really support the Kapha dosha.
Basic Seed and Shakta Chants for Kapha:
Ram (Rum), Yam (Yum), Ham (Hum), Aum (Om), Hrim (Hreem), Shrim (Shreem)
Aum Aim Hreem Shreem Namaha
Rum, Yum, Hum, Aum
Other Chants:
SAT NAM
Pronunciation: Saaaaaaaat* | Nam || *Sat is extended eight times longer than Nam. If you really want the mantra to radiate from the base of your spine to the center of your head, make the Sat 35 times longer than the Nam.
Translation:
Truth is my name.
Why chant it:
Used in the Kundalini Yoga practice, Sat Nam can be a way to develop and tune your intuition. The Gurmukhi mantra is also part of the Sat Kriya meditation that is said to reinvigorate sexual energy if practiced daily for at least 3 minutes.
These mantras can be repeated out loud throughout the day and before meditation. It is good to combine breathwork and chanting for Kapha.
“By intensive awareness of one’s identity with the Highest Reality enshrined in a mantra and thus becoming identical with that Reality, the mind itself becomes mantra.”
Shiva Sutra II
Some longer mantras that are used for universal healing and are good for all three doshas include:
GAYATRI MANTRA
Pronunciation: Om bhur bhuvah svah | tat savitur varenyam | bhargo devasya dhimahi | dhiyo yo nah prachodayat ||
Translation: (by Zoë Slatoff-Ponté)
Earth, Heaven, the Whole Between.
The excellent divine power of the Sun.
May we contemplate the radiance of that god,
May this inspire our understanding.
Why chant it:
This is one of the oldest Sanskrit mantras. It speaks to the unity of all creation, despite its many forms. Chanting it invokes the light of the sun and helps us to transcend suffering.
MAHAMRTYUNJAYA MANTRA
Pronunciation: OM. | Tryambakam yajamahe | Sugandhim pushti-vardhanam | Urvarukamiva bandhanan |Mrityor mukshiya mamritat ||
Why chant it:
According to Rolf Sovik of Yoga International in his article on this chant, “The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra restores health and happiness and brings calmness in the face of death. When courage or determination are blocked, it rises up to overcome obstacles. It awakens a healing force that reaches deep into the body and mind.
Just as a plant patiently gathers nutrients from the soil, so healing and nourishing forces enter the human body through foods, medicines, supportive emotions, and encouraging thoughts. The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra attracts these forces and creates an inner environment to enhance their effectiveness. Thus, the mantra can be used whenever any restorative process is undertaken.
The mantra can be recited when taking medicines, for it prepares the body and mind to make the best use of them. In India, when ash (bhasma) is applied to the body (as either a medicinal or a spiritual act) the mantra is recited. And so, whenever matters of health, vitality, nurturance, or freedom from the fear associated with death arise, the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra naturally surfaces as a remedy and comfort.
It is also said that those in the healing professions will benefit from reciting the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra regularly. Through it, they will draw from an infinite reserve of energy, and thus prevent burnout while opening a channel of healing from which life can be nourished.”
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA
According to the Vedas this chant bestows deep spiritual experiences and even boons (supernatural gifts) when practiced with devotion and skill.
Translation:
• Om = Before there was a universe, there was a vibrationless void of pure existence. Out of this void came the vibration which started the universe, which is known as AUM.
• Namah = to bow.
• Shivaya = Shiva – the inner Divine self.
Why chant it:
According to Shaivism, when understood fully it means “I bow to the inner Self”.
Repeat Mantra 108 time and visualize yourself bowing to your true inner Self.
Regular practice of this mantra will support your understanding and awakening of the Divine within.
SIRI GAYATRI MANTRA
Pronunciation: Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung
Translation:
Sun, Moon, Earth, Infinity, All that is in infinity, I am Thee.
Why chant it:
Used as a restorative meditation to send healing energy to ourselves and others. In Kundalini Yoga, the pose for this meditation is as important as the sound. Sit comfortably with elbows bent and tucked in firmly alongside the ribcage, extended forearms out perpendicularly with palms facing up.
SA TA NA MA
Translation: Describes the eternal cycle of life
Saa = Infinity, totality of the Cosmos = emotion and expansiveness
Taa = Life (birth of form from Infinity = transformation and strength
Naa = death or transformation = universal love
Maa = Rebirth = communication
Pancha means five and expresses the five primal sounds of the Universe. (SSS. TTT. NNN. MMM. and AAA.) It is the atomic or Naad form of the mantra Sat Nam.
Why chant it:
According to Kundalini yoga, It is used to increase intuition, balance the hemispheres of the brain and to create a destiny. This mantra is a catalyst for healing transformation.
References:
Book- Ayurveda and The Mind: The Healing of Consciousness by Dr. David Fawley
Book- The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies by Dr. Vasant Lad
Study notes from Hale Pule Ayurveda and Yoga Ayurvedic Health Counsellor training
