This video is from the course, "Deepening Your Personal Relationship with the Guru" on the SikhNet Learning Center - learn.sikhnet.com
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Did you know that how you speak actually changes your brain? Dr. Andrew Newberg has done groundbreaking research on this subject and determined that a single word has the power to influence genes that regulate physical and emotional stress in the body.
When you speak positive words it strengthens the frontal lobe. When you speak negative words it activates the fear response which stimulates the amygdala and increases stress hormones in the body.
When you speak positive words you change how you see the world and yourself by affecting the occipital lobe. When you speak negatively causes you to be more paranoid, and doubtful when you look at other people.
Our brains have neuroplasticity which means that our brains can change and be rewired. Words themselves can sculpt your brain.
The Siri Guru Granth Sahib was written by enlightened beings who sang songs and wrote poetry while they were in a specific state called "Naad" when the neurological connections in their brains had reached a certain configuration. When we meditate lovingly on these words we can begin to rewire our neurological connections so that in time we can see and experience what the Guru's saw and experienced.
How does this work?
As recite Gurbani your tongue touches meridian points in your mouth on your upper palate. This sets up a biochemical reaction in your brain. The hypothalamus of the brain begins to vibrate to the Gurbani. This stimulates the pineal gland, which then stimulates the pituitary gland, which then sends signals to the glands of the entire body. This raises the frequency of the entire glandular system. This changes the chemistry of the body, which brings new hormones and nutrients to the spinal fluid, which then washes over the brain and then strengthens the gray matter of the brain. We call this the 'Har Ras'. This chemical reaction repeats itself until over time we begin to see what the Guru's saw for ourselves.
The meanings of the Shabads contribute one part of the process (Ved), and the very sound of the words themselves can rescult the brain to be clear, intuitive, and conscious (Naad)
