The Benefits of Mantra; Evidence that it Can Help Individuals Cope with Stress

The benefits of Mantra have been recognized for centuries but it is only recently that scientific evidence is available to support these claims.

What are the Benefits of Mantra?

There is now growing evidence that repeating a mantra could be good for mental health. It seems to work particularly well for those individuals who are dealing with stressful situations. One San Diego study led by Jill Bormann found that those that who learned to use mantra claimed to be better able to deal with stress and even slept better at night. Another study in Italy found that mantra or rosary prayer could be used to produce, "powerful psychological and physiological effects". It is believed that repeating a mantra can work in a similar way to meditation; in fact mantra is a form of meditation for many people.

What is Mantra?

A mantra can be described as a word or group of words that have spiritual significance. Most religions have their own mantras and there are claims that all can work equally well. The first mantras are believed to have originated in India in the Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain traditions. One of the most well known mantras is the Buddhist Om mani padme hum or the mantra popularised by the Hare Krishna movement. In Islam repetition of Allah could be viewed as a mantra. There are also mantras not related to any particular tradition such as, "calm down" repeated over and over again.

How to Use a Mantra

A mantra can be used in times of high anxiety by just repeating it as long as needed. It is recommended that people make a regular practice of saying the mantra so that it automatically kicks in when they are feeling themselves getting stressed. The exact mantra to use will depend on the spiritual tradition that individuals belong to. Even those who see themselves as not having any religious affiliations can still benefit from mantra.

My Own Experience with Mantra

I have been using mantra regularly since my recovery from addiction a few years ago. Part of the treatment at Wat Thamkrabok Thailand involved been given one of these mantras to use in times of stress. Every time I have needed to use this technique I've been impressed by the results; it always seems to be there when I need it.