Mantras are words or phrases that are repeated, often as part of a prayer.  What role, if any, can mantras play in spiritual healing?  Studies on this topic have been conducted. In one study, participants were asked to use a word or short phrase with which they were comfortable as part of a meditation routine designed to reduce stress and produce calm.  Catholics were asked to use "Hail Mary", Jews used "Shalom" and Protestants used the first line of the Lord's Prayer.

Although there is no magic in saying a few words, it did work well relaxing the body and stimulating healthy physiological changes in the body.  The researchers who conducted the study had other participants use a word or phrase without spiritual meaning. They found that the who people did not stick with the program tended to be in the group of people who used mantras without any particular meaning. Those people who used spiritual words did stick with the program.  Perhaps they did so because the spiritual word they used helped them to connect to their deeper faith in God. 

Spiritual belief and healing is a benefit that will transform your life. The most important change is the person will have a deep personal spiritual commitment to their God. They have a transformed life and this growth in spirituality will affect the whole being, body, mind, and spirit. This gives the person an unshakable trust and faith that scientists call "intrinsic belief."

People who experience a spiritual awakening have received major turnarounds in their emotional and physical health. A faith in God gave them hope, courage, and faith as they follow through with emotional and physical healing. They are given a deep sense they are not alone in the universe and they have a resource for guidance and support. They know beyond a shadow of a doubt there is guidance and support during dark times of discouragement and confusion.

Developing the spiritual part of the human nature can result in peace, joy, and emotional stability. God can give the moral courage it takes to follow through a difficult recovery program or rehabilitation from a serious injury. The 12 Step Programs rely heavily on prayer and dependence on a Higher Power and that has given many people the courage to kick addictions, stop drinking, and other personal problems. These programs often address the person with the addiction, the family members, and those who might have been children of alcoholics or drug addicts. The 12-Step program has successfully been used to treat those who were obese and unable to lose weight in other ways.

Spiritual healing does not depend on a mantra, but spiritual mantras can help a person to be calm, reduce anxiety, and allow positive feelings to flow through and heal their body and spirit. The Eastern religions have used mantras for centuries to help calm the body and spirit to promote relaxation and allow for meaningful prayer and meditation.  Your own sense of spirituality and spiritual healing may benefit from incorporating spiritual mantras into meditation routines.