Words enter the psyche, through the ears and eyes, more rapidly than you’re able to listen or read; then they’re processed unconsciously within the neural circuitry on a time-scale that measures in fractions of milliseconds. This human neural circuitry takes these fractionalized moments to engage in the complex process of understanding the angles and nuances of each moment as they string together in time. Words are made up of syllables, which are strings of letters . . . consonants and vowels.
The human vocal anatomy is the most complex of any animal; you’re the only creature who speaks with consonants. Vowels make the sound — consonants direct the sound, and it’s this direction that contains the angles and nuances . . . the meanings that are intended, behind the meanings of the words. The spoken words speak through the ears and into the brain — the written words speak directly into the brain.
Mantras are syllables formed to maximize and exercise these directional patterns . . . further utilizing the (fractions of milliseconds) processing and accessing a subtle elegance within the brain-mind connection that supports your higher awareness.
By stimulating this higher awareness, mantras sharpen your ability to completely understand each moment . . . to understand what goes missing from a normal conversation. This is known as the science of ‘Shabd-Guru’ — the science in the sacredness of sound. Practicing mantras, like sharpening a kitchen knife, makes your effort effortless . . . comprehension slides in naturally. Eventually you’re no longer paying all your attention to the words, but absorbing the subtleties within the words.
Our prayer is that you set aside some time each day to work with mantras; to stimulate the higher abilities of your brain for capturing the essence, beyond the obvious, of what’s going on in your life; that you absorb this comprehension of the essence so that life becomes sahej (ease) . . . and your plans succeed. This is ‘sahej shabd’ . . . the work that becomes worship . . . enabling the miracles of wisdom in your human neural circuitry.
Guru Singh is a world-renowned yoga instructor, author, musician, and family man. Guru Singh works with the Dalai Lama, teaches with Tony Robbins, and has recorded an album with Grammy® Award-winning artist Seal. He can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.
Check out Guru Singh’s most recent book: Buried Treasures: The Journey From Where You Are to Who You Are.
Image courtesy of Priscilla Du Preez.
