MANTRA, CHAKRA ACTIVATION, NEUROENDOCRINE MODULATION, SPIRITUAL INTELLIGENCE, AND EXPANDED CONSCIOUSNESS: AN INTEGRATIVE EAST–WEST CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Abstract

The growing scientific interest in meditation and consciousness has created new opportunities to integrate traditional contemplative knowledge with contemporary scientific research. But the existing studies are mostly conducted in isolation from each discipline and they do not provide a comprehensive understanding of the mechanism of change, which is the interaction between the psychological, neurological, endocrine and spiritual mechanisms of mantra meditation. This conceptual paper seeks to bridge this gap by developing the Psycho–Neuro–Endocrine Chakra Activation Model (PNECAM), which is an integrative East–West model fusing Indian philosophical systems with the modern understanding and ideas of psychology, neuroscience, psych neuroendocrinology and consciousness studies. It is based on classic ideas of mantra, chakras, and expanded consciousness, as well as findings from contemplative science, providing a sequential conceptual model in which mantra practice can trigger multi-chakra activation, which can lead to modulation of neuroendocrine systems, psychological transformation, spiritual intelligence, and finally expanded consciousness and ethical conduct. The paper also presents the Multi-Chakra Activation Theory, which suggests that in the conceptual stage, one mantra could have an effect upon more than one psycho-spiritual energy centre or chakra. Furthermore, six research propositions are formed to support further empirical validation of the proposed framework. The study adds to the literature by combining Eastern contemplative wisdom with Western scientific research and offers a detailed interdisciplinary explanation of the human transformation caused by mantra use. The proposed model offers important implications for psychology, neuroscience, integrative healthcare, yoga, education, organisational behaviour, and workplace spirituality, and provides a theoretical foundation for future interdisciplinary research.