The effect of mantra chanting on the performance IQ of children

Headnote

The present study analyses the effect of mantra chanting on the performance IQ of 8-13 years old students in Dehradun. In the study it has been hypothesised that the performance IQ(PIQ·) of children will be enhanced with 15 minutes of mantra chanting when practiced for 30 days daily. For this experimental study 15 students were studied by using four performance tests of Malm's intelligence battery for children (an Indian adaptation of Weischler's Intelligence battery for children). The pre and post test results are analysed with'ť test. Performance sub-tests are non-verbal in nature and the sum of four Transient quotients gives performance IQ(PIQ·). The test of significance reveals a significant result p= 0.01% and t=3.339. The frequency of repetition of the mantra also increased with proficiency. The critical value p<0.01%, t =2.74 test shows significance difference in pre and postWASP frequency analysis. It establishes the fact that 15 min. of mantra chanting is effective in enhancing the performance IQ.

Keywords: mantra, tongue twister, performance IQ, WASP, manjushree mantra

Mantra is a sacred syllable with poetic feel, emotional and spiritual factor linked to it. In Asian culture especially India it has been endowed with great importance. The sages of ancient era had explained the knowledge related to the nature and within, in the form of sacred syllables, called the mantras. Vedas, Upanishads, Buddhist scriptures are considered to be the oldest scriptures based on the same line of philosophy of Rig Veda. On the basis of one's understanding and perception, the philosophy was practiced differently. But the focus has always been on the taming of mind. A number of researches have been conducted on Sanskrit mantras and its effect on attention.

A team led by Chang (2013) set out to understand speech processing in the brain. For this they recorded neural activity from the brain surfaces of 3 people who were implanted with electrode arrays as part of their preparation for brain surgery. In this research he found out that every time one recites a tongue twister, consonant will replace a consonant and vowel will replace vowel only. It never happens that consonant is replaced by a vowel.

Benson (2013) established the fact that mantra chanting helps in induce the "relaxation" response, causing reduction of heart beat,...