By The Spiritual Explorer | Published 18 June, 2016
Dear Spiritual Explorer: It’s interesting to me that so many Sanskrit words have become so commonplace in our daily language here in America. What do you attribute that to? Lulu P., New York City, NY
Dictionary of Sanskrit Name
Dear Lulu: As a lover of words, I am always interested in the assimilation of languages. You’re so right; you almost can’t read anything, especially New Age books and commentaries, without Sanskrit words somewhere in the text. I rejoice at the Sanskrit words appearing in our everyday American vocabulary. I think it is a true improvement from English words that can be stiff, formalized and bulky with complicated, multiple meanings. Sanskrit words, if nothing else, can be described as smooth, straightforward unambiguous, mellow, fragrant and vibrational. I refer you to the Dictionary of Sanskrit Names compiled by the Integral Yoga Institute which is replete with many fabulous Sanskrit words that have found their way into our American lexicon.
How are Sanskrit words considered vibrational? You hear it said again and again, “Sanskrit is a language of vibration.” The speaker says it with awe, conviction and mystery, but what does it actually mean? And why is Sanskrit being called the language of vibration important?
Scientists tell us that everything in the manifest universe is nothing but the vibration of atoms and molecules. So to come in contact with a language of vibration is to come in contact with what we are essentially. It gets deeper than that. When you connect with what you are essentially on the manifest level, you can more easily feel what you are beyond manifestation.
Sanskrit words produce vibration
Chanting energy is a vibrational melee of Sanskrit words that produce a vibration. You can actually hear the silence that is present under the sounds. The ability to hear the silence is at the heart of a mantra. Not only do you hear silence more clearly after you chant, but you feel the deeper meaning of the silence as well.
Take for example, when you go to a concert. After the music and festivities have stopped, you are suddenly aware of sound and silence in a new way. You actually hear the silence that was present under the sounds. This ability to hear the silence is not anything. It’s at the heart of a mantra. Not only do you hear silence more clearly after you chant but you feel the deeper meaning of the silence as well.
Best of all, the more you remain with this inner stillness that the chanting gave you access to, the more you feel less separateness, or put another way, the more you feel unity. When you chant in Sanskrit you gain access to the silent mind and since it is only on the level of the mind that there is separateness, in the state of inner silence you feel united with all.
Sanskrit mantras are powerful vibrational fields of sounds. The next times you chant a mantra, pause afterwards and feel pure energy. Notice how quiet your mind has become by singing these vibrational sounds and perceive how, from the place of yogic stillness, you feel a joyful unity with all.
Here are a few more Sanskrit words, and their meanings, that you see everywhere:
- Maya: illusion
- Yoga: practice of self-perfection
- Mantra: a repetitive word of the Gods to bring about silence
- Guru: He/she who brings the light into the darkness of his chelas
- Nirvana: bliss and liberation
- Dharma: one’s righteous path in life
- Devi: God in a feminine manifestation as Goddess or Davie mother.
- Lila: the divine play
These are but a few Sanskrit words that have come into our world and enriched it with their presence and meaning. The East has much to teach us not only with words but also with true ideals of silence, meditation, kindness and compassion.
If you have a question about “Sanskrit words,” or anything else, you can write me at Ask The Spiritual Explorer
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