In the modern world, mantras come in all shapes and sizes. Though they originate from the Vedic tradition, it’s becoming more and more common to see/hear mantras used in a more modern context, as political slogans or even as a rallying cry to get people behind a common cause. Modern and ancient mantras all have a similar purpose, to alter the thinking of the listener and/or the speaker of the mantra. In this episode, Thom Knoles delves into the origins and concept of mantras, and explores the various functions and intentions of some mantras that have been used consistently for thousands of years.   Thom explains the functional differences and applications of these mantras, including their role in Vedic Meditation and their broader use in various aspects of life. It’s a deep dive into the scientific and practical aspects of mantras, providing insights into their transformative potential. Episode Highlights: [00:45] Name and Form are Infinitely Correlated [03:09] Denotative vs. Connotative Meaning of Mantra [04:44] Nivar Tatvam - Go Where You Are Not [08:00] Bija Mantra - Working on the Level of Sound [09:51] Right Mantra for the Right Person [11:48] Drawing Towards the Source of Thought [13:34] Effortlessness is a Skill Set [16:02] Vaidya Mantras [18:53] Om and Omkaraz [22:01] Gayatri Mantra and Surya Namaskar [24:25] Rishi - A Seer of Vedic zSounds [26:40] Sanskrit: The Sound of Nature's Intention [29:24] Expressive vs. Symbolic Languages [31:13] Thought-inducing Mantras [33:02] Mantras for All Occasions Useful Links [email protected]  https://thomknoles.com/ https://www.instagram.com/thethomknoles https://www.facebook.com/thethomknoles https://www.youtube.com/c/thomknoles https://thomknoles.com/ask-thom-anything/