Mantra News

Russel Brand.

I read a very interesting article in the New York Times about the famous comedian and actor Russel Brand engaging in meditation. While performing at the Haiti relief benefit in Los Angeles, he performed a raunchy stand up routine which was as physically hilarious as it was verbally “interesting.” The kind of mediation he practices is called Transcendental Meditation, or TM for short.  An interesting aspect of TM is its use of a mantra, or repetitive phrase, often in sanskirt, an ancient form of Hindi and Buddhist language.

Mantras are like self-suggestions which focus the feeling and thoughts of meditation.  Besides the relaxation of letting go that meditation produces, the mantra’s meaning can also impact the meditator’s experience.

For people who use a mantra which is not in their native or primary language, there may be added benefits. According to a study performed at Penn State, bilingualism increases brain power.  Marrying that to a mantra in meditation may just be a good complimentary booster to those who want to think and feel better.