Which is better, to read aloud or silently?

When the mind is too distracted, when either internally or externally there is distraction, for a few moments to read aloud releases certain physical sound vibrations that create the necessary atmosphere of calm and peace. But if one is not distracted, the mental vibrations that are released by reading mentally are enough. If one is extrovert by nature, reading aloud helps. But if one is normally introspective, the Indian shastras considered soundless reading more beneficial. For instance, in japa there are three categories. The lowest is the audible intonation of the mantra. The second, a little more advanced, is where only the lips move but no sound is heard. The third is where there is no physical movement and no sound, but the repetition of the mantra goes on inwardly, this is the highest stage. These relate to different stages of development in the seeker. Certainly when you read aloud a few lines in a book like Savitri, they have a great therapeutic value. They impregnate the physical atmosphere with a special vibration, which has a great spiritual impact even on those around. But for oneself, even a silent reading is enough to feel and receive those vibrations. In reading aloud, some people lose themselves in the sound, and lose contact with the sense.

- M.P. Pandit.

(M.P. Pandit, ‘The Yoga of Works’, Dipti Publications, Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Pondicherry)