A common question for beginner and advanced meditators alike depending on how their education in meditation developed.
Have you heard of the elephant and the coconuts?
The Elephant and the Coconuts
Have you ever seen an elephant walking along behind his handler carrying a small stick?
Why does he carry a stick?
The story goes that elephant handlers would walk the elephants through the marketplace on their way to and from work every day.
Unfortunately, the elephants would see the sweet coconuts, being sold, and would grab and eat them.
Of course, the coconut vendors would chase after the handlers and demand payment for the stolen coconuts.
One day a wise handler figured out that if he gave the elephant a stick to carry, he couldn’t grab the coconuts!
So… Think of it this way. Your mind is the elephant. The coconuts are your distracting thoughts. The Mantra is a stick. Understand?
What a great story.
Having a mantra indeed gives the mind something to occupy itself.
When I first started meditating, I chanted a mantra.
I found it invigorating and calming all at the same time. If I put a lot of energy into it I felt uplifted for hours.
So I say, and at least one scientific studies agrees, that mantras or some kind of repetitive sound can be effective for quieting the mind.
And, If you feel uncomfortable chanting out loud (that woo whoo thing), well, you can be as loud as you want in your own mind.
But Before You Decide a Mantra is the Way To Go, Consider This…
You need to start with why (sorry if it sounds like I’m ripping off Simon Sinek), Why do you want to meditate?
Different meditation techniques can produce different results, particularly in the short term.
[I am about to step into a controversial area… I do it as a lay person]
If you are looking for insight into your own mind; If your meditation is on a spiritual path, it’s possible that chanting or reciting a mantra can disrupt this process.
There are two issues to consider. One potential downside of a mantra is built into the same elephant story.
What if what you want is the elephant focusing on a specific task?
The elephant can’t grab the coconuts NOR CAN THE ELEPHANT GRAB ANYTHING ELSE OF SUBSTANCE.
The Mantra (stick) is now an occupation that simply distracts or disrupts the elephant’s undesired behaviour and also prevents the elephant from doing anything else.
So you have to stop the Mantra to take up another task.
The second is the zoning out potential.
Remaining aware of your ‘object’ in mediation is a challenge. Reciting a mantra only superficially solves that, in my experience, though many will disagree.
As an example, have you ever found yourself driving down a familiar road but feeling that you have no idea where you are or that everything looks different? Then you know that it is possible to zone out, completely, while doing a repetitive task.
Reciting a mantra can be like watching television while doing an ab workout. Your abs will still get exercise but nothing like when you are focussing on them.
Meditating without a mantra requires that you learn to control your mind’s behavior, rather than just distract it.
Of course, there are other opinions. I, however, am not aware of any science that firmly concludes the matter.
I think Mantras are beneficial. They clearly help settle the noise, and that is an important start.
I’ve found that Mantras boost my energy.
For me, meditation with no mantra is for deeper mind training and meditation with a mantra is for energy. I encourage you to try both ways.
I would love to hear your comments.