The Rehash:
“The content below relates to the topic of transcendence one of the 3 pillars of Dharmic Living – and one of exercises for experiencing transcendence in Mark Bunn’s book ‘Don’t Just Meditate … Transcend’.
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Knowing how powerful sound can be in promoting transcendent states, what if we were to use the most fundamental sounds of the universe - the seed sounds of nature? The term Veda represents the very first expressions or sounds of unmanifest consciousness becoming the material universe. Veda is literally ‘the primordial sounds of nature’. I.e. the underlying sounds that structure all of creation. A traditional practice based on this understanding has recently been found to produce similar physiological and brain function outcomes to transcendence. Now known as 'Vedic Recitation’, it involves reading the ancient Vedic literature in Sanskrit.FN
Sanskrit is often described as the “language of nature”.
FN: The benefits of listening to Vedic sounds and having pandits being able to properly express these sounds was a major focus of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s goal of restoring ancient Vedic literature back to its full utility.
In 2001, researchers showed the pattern of skin conductance levels and EEG power and coherence in individuals reading Sanskrit, was similar to EEG and autonomic patterns during practise of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique, but significantly different from reading a modern language. The researchers remarked that “since the physiological patterns were similar during reading Sanskrit and TM practise (a technique of systematic transcendence), it is possible that similar processes may be occuring during these two conditions.” 1 Fortunately, as learning Sanskrit is probably as high up on your to-do list as organizing your sock drawer, there’s good news. It turns out that simply listening to experts reciting the Vedic Literature also has profound effects. A 2017 study published in Consciousness and Cognition, looked at brain wave coherence in people simply listening to Vedic recitation. The researchers reported that alpha1 coherence in the frontal, executive lobes of the brain - a hallmark of the experience of pure consciousness and an indicator or high-level brain integration and functioning - was even higher than in TM practice. Theta2 brain wave coherence, an indication of internal mental processing, was also increased. 2
Below are some of the experiences that subjects reported while listening to the Vedic recitation. All are closely correlated, and in many cases mirror experiences of transcendence
“I was so relaxed and was able to transcend for very long periods of time. The experiences were calming, cleansing and left me feeling incredible amounts of bliss.”
“I felt like in a very deep meditation.”
“A sweetness invaded my being and my consciousness was gathered (collected) in a point as suspended in the space.”
“Time was often flying or not existing at all.”
“I was completely immersed in these sounds—as if they were inside and around me.”
“I felt more awake to my innermost self and being more at home.”
In their final discussion, the researchers concluded that, “Listening to Vedic recitation appeared to cultivate and sustain the experience of pure consciousness.” 2
Exercise: Listening to Vedic Sounds in Sanskrit
To experience some Vedic recitation, try the link below. It is a recording of Vedic pandits reciting the sounds of the famous, ancient Vedic epic, the Bhagavad Gita.
*Note: When listening, do so very easily and innocently, just letting the sounds as if wash over or through you.
Vedic Recitation of the Bhagavad Gita
For More on Mark’s Book – Don’t just Meditate … Transcend
References:
1. Travis.F., Olsen.T., Egenes.T., & Gupta.HK. Physiological patterns during practise of the Transcendental Meditation technique compared with patterns while reading Sanskrit and a modern language. Intern J Neuroscience. Vol 109. 2001. pp71-80.
2. Travis.F., Parim.N., Shrivastava.A. Higher theta and alpha1 coherence when listening to Vedic recitation compared to coherence during Transcendental Meditation practice. Consciousness and Cognition. March 2017. Vol 49.