Mantras
Mantras
Mantra is the sacred utterance, a syllable, word or phonemes, numinous sound or multiple words.
Practice silence
Practice silence for a few hours each day, start off with the lowest time possible and increase it. You can turn it into a game, “who can be the quietest?” The concept of silence must be established with this.
Pranayama (Breathing Exercises)
Breath is connected to prana (life-force energy) and oxygenates every cell in our body. It can also be a very good technique for calming stressed nerves, temper tantrums and other states that are born out of fear. Here are a few pranayama techniques:
- Ujjayi (Victorious Breath): Explore practising the ‘deep ocean sound’ at the back of the throat, while taking deep belly breaths. It truly calms and settles their energy.
- Nadi Shodhana (Alternate Nostril Breath): This is said to balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain—leading to better cognitive development. Just start off by breathing in from one end while holding the other end shut with a finger and release while doing the same on the other side.
The Sanskrit word “mantra,” from the roots “manas” (the linear thinking mind) and “tra” (to cross over), has found common use in Western vernacular. Though today we tend to equate mantras with spiritual aphorisms or repeated affirmations, mantras are traditionally defined as that take us beyond, or through, the discursive faculties of the mind and connect our awareness directly and immediately to deep states of energy and consciousness. Tapping the Hidden Power of Music and Chant. In essence, many ancient mantras serve as vehicles for the mind to cross over the material world and into enlightenment.
The basic principle of mantra recitation is this: to use sound to cut through mental clutter, facilitate meditation practice, and create a deeper state of awareness. “A mantra provides a way to go beyond negative thoughts.
Many of the sacred mantras chanted today are thousands of years old, dating back to Vedic times, and were created by sages and practitioners of early Hinduism and Buddhism. Sanskrit mantras are said to be particularly sacred because of the sounds and syllables that make up this ancient language. Mantras cross over between the embodied energy of the physical self, and the disembodied energy of sound. When we work in yoga we’re navigating between body and mind; sound is this peculiar hybrid of the two that is intangible and yet vibratory.” sound is the basis of communication, and therefore can specifically call upon and engage the mind. “Like focus on the breath itself, focus on mantra has a unique ability to draw the mind into really tight focus.
There are 84 meridians on the roof of the tongue that are stimulated through Sanskrit mantra, and scientific evidence shows that mantras can facilitate the release of secretions that strengthen our immune and neurological systems. Yogic mantras stimulate the secretions of the pituitary gland, which is located only millimeters from the palate…certain permutations send signals to the command centers of the brain—the hypothalamus, and the pituitary, primarily, and also to the pineal gland, which orchestrate a healing response and send out packets of information in the form of neurotransmitters and chemicals, in the brain and throughout the body.
Though some common mantras call upon Hindu deities, their main purpose is to cultivate awareness, intention, and elevated connection. “Mantras become the interface for mankind interacting with his spiritual world. Though these mantras link to a specific religious tradition, the power of sound is paramount. “Virtually all spiritual traditions see sound as a key component of practice and connection to the divine or sacred. “The most important mantra of all, Om, is completely non-denominational and non-religious in the sense that it’s basic symbolism is creation itself. Creation, and the evocation of its properties, are not owned by any religious tradition.
The following phrases are a few examples of mantras.
ॐ – Om/Aum
ॐ
Om/Aum
‘Om’ is the all-pervading, omnipotent and omnipresent sound of the Cosmos. For this reason, it is also referred to as ‘Pranava’; the energy that runs in our Prana. ‘Om’ is not just regarded as a word, it is an intonation produced by coalescing the three Sanskrit syllables (Au-Oh-Mm); which on concentrated repetition gives a threefold experience on the physical, mental and the astral plane.
‘Om’ represents the incomprehensible and unmanifested / Nirguna aspect of the supreme; at the same time, the symbol of Om signifies a comprehensible and manifested aspect of it so as to provide the human mind with a conceivable channel to lead them towards the realization of its actual Nirguna state. Thus, chanting ‘Om’ or ‘Aum’ is one of the best ways to start any meditation.
Gayatri Mantra
ॐ भूर्भुवः स्वः
तत्सवितुर्वरेण्यम
भर्गो देवस्य धीमहि।
धियो यो नः प्रचोदयात॥Aum
Bhur Bhuvah Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yo nah Prachodayat
The Gayatri Mantra is a universal prayer enriched in the Vedas, which is also known as Savitri Mantra. It is considered a very powerful and popular mantra for meditation. In brief, the mantra means, “O thou existence Absolute, Creator of the three dimensions, we contemplate upon thy divine light. May He stimulate our intellect and bestow upon us true knowledge.” In simpler terms, “O Divine mother, our hearts are filled with darkness. Please make this darkness distant from us and promote illumination within us.”
ॐ नमः शिवाय
Om Namah Shivaya
The literal meaning of this Shiva mantra is “I bow to Shiva”. Shiva, here is the supreme reality, or in other words, the inner Self. Thus, while you are chanting this mantra, you are calling for the inner self. Panchakshari shiva mantra boosts the inner potential and strength, and also fills life with positive energy.
Om Namah Shivaya is at the heart of the Vedas and Tantras (ancient Scriptures) and finds its mention in the Yajurveda in the Shri Rudram hymn. Perceived to be most effective if in the practice of Japa Yoga, where the mantra is repeated verbally or mentally 108 times a day while keeping count on a strand of Rudraksha beads and at the same time submitting oneself to Lord Shiva’s infinite, all-pervasive presence, however, while chanting of the manta, you need no special rituals or ceremonies. It is a great mantra before any meditation.
Durga Mantra
ॐ जटा जूट समायुक्तमर्धेंन्दु कृत लक्षणाम |
लोचनत्रय संयुक्तां पद्मेन्दुसद्यशाननाम ||Om jataa jut samaayuktamardhendu krit lakshnam
Lochanyatra sanyuktam padmendu sadya shan naam ||
This mantra is done before chanting other Durga Mantras. It helps one to achieve a better concentration in his work and in anything he does. This mantra for meditation helps us to focus and it is an important mantra for everyone.
