Ayurveda is the holistic healing science of India.  Its roots are ancient; its principles are set down in the Vedas, the earliest recorded teachings of the Indus culture and believed to be more than 5000 years old.  Ayurveda utilizes five sense therapies for healing- creating balance in the body by using sound, touch, color, taste and aroma.  In order to understand the profound effect of sound on the body and mind, it is important to review the foundation of Ayurveda- the five elements that make up the entire universe.

Ayurvedic theory tells us that the five elements, ether, air, fire, water, and earth are present in all matter.  They are recognized by their effect and not by their physical presence; they represent the concepts of connectedness, movement, transformation, flow, and stability or solidity.  Each element has a correlation with one of the five senses and is directly linked with sound, touch, sight, taste and smell respectively.  When working with sound in healing, when we affect change from the etheric level we will create a vibrational shift in our mental and physical being.

Ether is the primary element from which each of the others arises.  As such, ether is found in all matter, and so sound, ether’s counterpart, permeates all of creation.  The “Big Bang” of universal birth, is considered to be the cosmic mantra “Aum” that continues to reverberate from the center of the universe and from each cell of our being.  This mantra calls us to consciousness in all of our waking and sleeping states and aligns our mind and emotions when chanted.  In Ayurveda, we understand that shifting the energy in the ether, will affect change in all aspects of our bodies and lives.

We can begin to balance all five elements with the use of mantra by chanting the bija mantras.  These are the seed sounds of the chakras, the energy vortices of the subtle body.  When we chant mantra of any type, we shift the vibrational frequency of the ether element and this begins the cascading effect of change on all levels.

Each of the five lower chakras has a bija mantra that corresponds to one of the elements.  In chanting that mantra, we strengthen the concept that relates to that element.  When chanting Lam (lum), the bija mantra of the first chakra, we strengthen the element earth in the body and mind.  This element relates to stability and solidity, so we would chant this to enhance these qualities in our body or life.  When we feel fearful, unsure, unsteady or insecure, this mantra brings us balance.

The mantra Vam (vum), the bija mantra of the second chakra, strengthens the water element.  This element relates to our ability to flow smoothly from one event to the next and to nourish others and ourselves.  Chant this mantra when feeling harried, scattered, or in need of kindness and compassion.

Ram (rum) is the bija mantra of the third chakra and relates to the fire element.  This element represents our ability to digest what is in front of us literally and figuratively, and the transformation of our work or ourselves.  Chanting this mantra strengthens our work and encourages us to burn through any obstacles that have arisen.

The bija mantra of the fourth chakra, Yam (yum), increases air element in the body and mind.  This element is responsible for movement, quick changes, and inspiration.  When you’re feeling lethargic, apathetic or indifferent, chanting this mantra may be the catalyst for the mental shift that is necessary to regain your perspective and enthusiasm.

The fifth chakra is related with the ether element.  Its bija mantra, Ham (hum), increases our sense of spaciousness, expansiveness and openness.  Chant this mantra when feeling closed off from your world, shut down or oppressed to open up new space in your life for new connections to be made.

The bija mantra of the five lower chakras are powerful tools of transformation.  When moving from imbalance to balance we must transform from the center first.  Chanting works with sound and the ether element.  All other elements arise from the ether.  According to Ayurveda by chanting the bija mantra for the corresponding chakra, you begin a shift in your subtle body that will have profound repercussions in both your physical body and in your mind.