Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning

(by Brynne Sissom, The MUM Review, 6.Feb. 2002)

[ From: Anil Kurnool <akurnool@gmail.com>
[ Date: Mon, 05 Sep 2005

[ Subject: Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning
[ From: sasha108de <amritasyaputra@excite.com>  
[ Date: Sep 5, 2005

Reading Sanskrit Improves Brain Functioning

By Brynne Sissom
The MUM Review
6.Feb. 2002

The physiological effects of reading Sanskrit are similar
to those experienced during the Transcendental
Meditation(r) technique, according to research recently
completed by Dr. Fred Travis, director of the
ERG/psychophysiology lab of Maharishi University of
Management in Fairfield, Iowa, USA.

Dr. Travis asked his test subjects to read passages from
the Bhagavad-Gita in Sanskrit and in modern foreign
languages (Spanish, French, or German). In each case they
could pronounce the sounds but did not know the meaning.
He measured brain wave patterns (ERG), heart and breath
rate, and galvanic skin resistance during two reading
sessions and during a 15-minute session of the
Transcendental Meditation technique.

He found that while they read Sanskrit their physiology
was similar to those measured during the Transcendental
Meditation technique, but significantly different from
reading a modern language.

Their skin resistance steadily increased during reading
Sanskrit and during practice of the Transcendental
Meditation technique (showing greater stability in their
physiology) but remained the same during the reading of a
modern language.

Their ERG alpha power and coherence during reading
Sanskrit were also similar to that during the practice of
the Transcendental Meditation technique, and both of
these were higher than when the subjects read a modern
language.

Dr. Travis said that these findings support Maharishi's
predictions on the effects of reading Sanskrit.
Maharishi, in Vedic Knowledge for Everyone, predicted
that reading the Vedic Literature as it flows and
progresses in perfect sequential order has the effect of
regulating and balancing the functioning of the brain
physiology and training consciousness, the mind, to
always flow in perfect accordance with the evolutionary
direction of Natural Law.

Dr. Travis found the similarity of physiology during
reading Sanskrit and the Transcendental Meditation
technique is especially noteworthy because one reads with
his or her eyes open and engages in active perceptual and
cognitive processes, while the Transcendental Meditation
technique is done with one's eyes closed and entails a
reduction of mental activity. This suggests that the
state gained during the practice of the Transcendental
Meditation technique may be integrated with active mental
processes by reading Sanskrit.

Dr. Travis said, "The Transcendental Meditation technique
takes the awareness to pure consciousness at the source
of thought. Seeing similar patterns of physiology during
reading Sanskrit as during the Transcendental Meditation
technique suggests that reading Sanskrit enlivens pure
consciousness at the source of thought and integrates
that state with reading and speaking. In short, while
practice of the Transcendental Meditation technique
locates pure consciousness, leading to the state of
Transcendental Consciousness, reading Sanskrit integrates
inner silence with outer activity, helping to cultivate
enlightenment."

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