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Benefits of Chanting The Lord's Name
Chanting The Lord's Name benefits a seeker at
the psychological as well as spiritual level. To understand the
psychological benefits of chanting, an understanding of an
individual's subtle
constitution proves helpful. Refer to Issue 22,
Science of Spirituality section for a detailed explanation on the
subtle constitution.
Psychological benefits of chanting
As a therapy in psychiatric illnesses:
Chanting* is very beneficial in a majority of
psychiatric illnesses. Chanting The Lord's Name is perhaps one of
the most effective modes of therapy in the treatment of
'obsessive-compulsive disorder', wherein an individual relentlessly
(even harmfully) pursues a thought or action in order to relieve
anxiety. For example, an individual with anorexia nervosa has an
intense fear of becoming overweight and resorts to even harmful
means, such as abstaining from food for days, inducing vomiting to
purge any food consumed, etc. Chanting helps reduce and eventually
overcome the strong, negative subconscious impressions that cause
such disorders.
[Reference taken from
the Sanatan's
publication, Volume
6: Path of Chanting The Lord's Name (Namasankirtanyoga) and Path of Mantra (Mantrayoga), compiled by H.
H. Dr. Jayant B. Athavale and Dr. (Mrs.) Kunda Athavale.]
(To be continued)
* The Lord's Name as per one's religion. Also refer to Issue 23,
Clarification of Doubts section for details on the mechanism of
chanting.
Practical Application
If an individual with a psychiatric disorder can
benefit so much from chanting, how much would an individual with
normal health benefit from this powerful spiritual practice! The
above discussion is a reminder to begin chanting The Lord's Name, if
one has not already done so and to increase it in quality and
quantity, if one is already chanting on a daily basis.
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