Chanting a mantra can be a very helpful aspect to spiritual practice. But should you mantra out loud or in your head?
Typically, chanting a mantra out loud will provide more benefits such as increased focus and auditory stimulation over chanting silently. However, when in a public location or somewhere you need to be quiet, a silent mantra is best.
What is a mantra?
A mantra is a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated during meditation or by itself as spiritual practice.
A mantra’s purpose is to direct your focus on a specific idea or sound for a long period of time. This can aid in concentration during meditation, or be used by itself simply for spiritual gain.
Benefits of chanting out loud
1. Auditory focus
Chanting a mantra out loud can help engage your sense of hearing. If you are meditating on a specific mantra, the auditory stimulation can become the focus of your attention.
In this way, chanting a mantra out loud can deepen your meditation practice and improve focus.
2. Physical sensation
Chanting out loud gives the added bonus of feeling the physical vibrations given off by your voice.
The vibrations themselves can become a target of your focus during meditation. Losing yourself in the physical sensation during a mantra meditation is really a cool experience that you should try for yourself.
3. External expression
The externally oriented nature of chanting out loud can aid in your expression of spiritual devotion and intention.
This is helpful for people who are introverted and in their heads most of the time. Chanting a mantra out loud can help get your spiritual practice out of your head and into your body and the external world.
Benefits of chanting silently
1. Inner focus
A silent mantra will direct your focus inward rather. Where the out loud mantra directs focus externally, the silent mantra directs that energy inward.
Silent mantras make for an intimate spiritual practice that directs your focus inwards. As you chant with your mind instead of your mouth, you will be putting focus on the internal.
WHAT STAGE OF YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY ARE YOU IN?
WHAT STAGE OF YOUR SPIRITUAL JOURNEY ARE YOU IN?
Discover the 6 stages of awakening and find out where you are in your journey.
2. Quieter environments
Silent mantras are ideal for public places or locations where you should be quieter.
Let’s say you are on a break at work and want to do some spiritual practice, this is where you will want to use a silent mantra.
You definitely don’t want to be chanting out loud in the break room after all…
When to use each type of mantra
see also How Long Should I Chant A Mantra?
Chanting a mantra out loud is best in the following cases:
- group mantra sessions
- you want a physical stimuli
- you want an auditory stimuli
- you want to get out of your head
Chanting a mantra silently is best in these situations:
- you’re in a public space
- you need to be quiet
- you want a more internally focused experience
Conclusion
When choosing your type of mantra it’s important to look what your intentions are with your practice and to notice your surroundings. Both silent and out loud mantras have their unique benefits, however chanting a mantra out loud is traditionally what is thought to be most useful.
Hi, I’m Ryan. I’m a meditation teacher, spiritual seeker, and founder of nurtureyourspirit.org. I’m glad you’re here! I founded Nurture Your Spirit because of my love of meditation, spirituality, and spiritual awakening.
