How do mantras work concerning the brain?

[TofuBitz]

I've done mantras for a while, and for the most part they've worked. Specifically, "I wake up after each dream period." Using that mantra as an example, I was wondering how it exactly works. I understand repetition and all of that, but internally how does the mind understand what a dream period is? How does it know and understand what you mean by dream period? Maybe I'm just over-analyzing it, but I just don't understand. Thanks for all responses!

[Scionox]

Hmmm, from what i can guess they work by ordering subconscious using repetition and beliefs, and mind understands what dream period is because you understand what it is. Don't take me word for word though, mantras never really worked for me for some reason.

[Carrot]

My guess is mantras aren't for our conscious, it's for something else that's why it understands it. I have no idea why it works too. Maybe it works because we believe in it?

[opalwolf]

your mind understands because you understand what a dream period is. its so simple that you are definitely over thinking it. mantras have been around for a VERY long time. "man" meaning "mind" or "thought" and "tra" i've found has several meanings. my favorite being shield, but i think the most basic is "instrument". so a mantra is a "mind-shield" or an "instrument (tool) of the mind/thought". you can use them for many different reasons. basically you are repeating something to yourself so much that you begin to believe it. belief in it starts making it happen. its very simple and very powerful. think of it almost as self-hypnosis. for example, think of the person that hates them-self. their mantra.. unknowingly could be "everyone hates me" or "i'm so ugly".. they think this so often that it becomes true, if you focus on a positive message like "i am loved" or "i am beautiful" you will eventually begin to believe it and start noticing changes around you. i'm very serious. always focus on a positive message in your mantra! i.e. if you want to quit smoking, don't say "smoking is bad" say something like "i am smoke-free".. i hope this helps. and good luck! references - Mantra: The Power of Chanting Mantras & Om Yoga Meditation What Is a Mantra and How Does It Work (lol angelfire site)

[TofuBitz]

Wow, thanks! I never thought about the whole "everyone hates me" negative thoughts, that is totally true. Thanks, and thanks anyone who responded! This forum is lovely due to the people on it.

[gab]

mind understands what dream period is because you understand what it is. Definitelly. That's why it's important to have a mantra that makes sense to you, that feels good and right to you, one that's easy to say and pronounce to you. Words don't really matter, it's the meaning behind the words that matters. Make them in present tense, not future.

[moSh]

It's easy to confuse the unconscious mind as something separate to you, when really, the unconscious mind is actually more you than your regular, waking conscious mind! The unconscious mind is simply harder to access consciously (if that's not too much of a paradox) and therefore requires techniques such as mantras and dreams to purposefully give and take information.

[nqwDE]

from an occult view (one of them), mantras create vibration that causes change. I could also explain it through thought-forms, prayer and many other things of this nature.

[TofuBitz]

I've also read that it's good to add "I'm grateful" at the beginning of the mantra because of "law of attraction", or something like that. Is that correct?

[gab]

I've also read that it's good to add "I'm grateful" at the beginning of the mantra because of "law of attraction", or something like that. Is that correct? I would not add it to mantra itself. But it doesn't hurt to express to your mind your appreciation for your dreams, experiences and anything else you are thankful for. I say it often anytime I think about it and even write it in my DJ.

[MasterMind]

Everything in a dream is constant. What you think in a dream doesn't become it is. So if you are worried that the shaking landing from a flying attempt will wake you up, you will probably wake up. The law of attraction in the physical world is sort of the same but it's slightly delayed, so if you think "There is a pink elephant in my room" or "I am rich". You wont get rich instantly or see a pink elephant instantly. It's something you have to step into and be. And if you think about it, "Everything you are is a result of what you have thought" - Buddha Also here is a video from SpiritScience: Spirit Science 1 ~ Thoughts - YouTube It's not the words in a mantra though that makes it works, it's your emotions behind it, which they talk about in the law of attraction movie called "The Secret" and that feeling is the presence or absence of love. Also sometimes your ego and subconscious prevents you from believing your own words and one way to solve that can be found here: http://www.dreamviews.com/f12/buildi...mation-139016/ (Also I realize that the theta explanation sounds complicated, but remember that just relaxing let's say 10-15 minutes and then stating your intent while in the the relaxed alpha state, is much more effective than stating it in the awake beta state, so start with that. ) Good luck!

[Bobblehat]

The Secret is BS. Read this: Skeptic » eSkeptic » Wednesday, March 7th, 2007

[MasterMind]

Well you don't have to literally believe everything you hear, for example Aristotle had a great theory of virtues, although he had a weird view of females intelligence. He basically said that men can do things and understand why, and women can do things but it's impossible for them to understand why. Should we bash his theory of virtues because of that? No! In fact some of his virtue theories have been modified to fit modern views and have even been used by lots of feminists. The same goes for this idea that our thinking is a delayed manifestation. I simply believe in it because of my own experience, if you don't have any (repeated) experience that gives you a reason to believe, then it isn't rational to believe in it. However I like to see another reason to why positive thinking works. It kind of works in the same way as a smile on a party. If you walk in to a party while you are smiling, people will look at you and behave around differently compared to if you walked in depressed or nervous. Also as you smile you are releasing endorphins, natural pain killers and serotonin which makes you feel good. With a positive attitude you will start a chain that will make the world around you both give you positive feedback and give you a better chance for your desired goals than a non-positive attitude. So ignore the spiritual idea of positive thinking and keep the important message. Because what you are is indeed, atleast for the most part, a result of what you have thought.