mantra

    A MANTRA is a mystic phrase with a special sound that is used in a
    repeated way.  It may have a philosophical meaning, be an affirmation, an
    invocation, a prayer or a divine name.  Mantra repetition is called JAPA.

  • Mantra Japa is a very enjoyable practice that anyone can do.  

  • Japa can be done loudly, sung, whispered, mentally, subtle mentally or
    silently.  Each has its value.

  • Mantras exist in all cultures, even tho called something different.  

  • Mantra Japa is said to be a recommended practice for this Age when
    people have little power of introspection.

  • A mantra is said to be a "live mantra" when received by an enlightened
    master.  

  • However, I have been told that a mantra can be empowered just by
    devoted practice.

  • All mantras mean basically the same, all coming from the same
    transcendental source of sound.

  • All mantras, aside from any special effects they may have, evoke the
    experience of that same transcendental source.  Man-tra means "mind
    freeing"


    my experience

    What a beautiful practice!  I had been meditating several years and wanting to do some
    chanting.  Then, when I really longed for it, someone gave me a recording, and another
    person "initiated" me.  What a welcome experience!  It awakened something in my heart.  
    It has been my best friend ever since.  Here are some things I have learned and
    experienced over the years:  

  • I like it as well as or better than listening to music, even recordings of mantras.  I
    don't listen to an I-Pod or have a radio in my car.

  • The practice has a joy, an exstasy, a peace to it.

  • A mantra used for a  long time becomes like a good friend that is always there for you.

  • I have found that mantra japa and deep silent meditation support each other.  
    Actually, japa can be allowed to pull one right into meditation.

  • Japa needs be done in a tone and rythm that please the inner ear. Sometimes one  
    feels like doing it loudly, other times softly.

  • I like to do japa for its own sake, not for a particular end or result, s sort of thought-
    less offering.

  • Japa can go with the rythhm of breathing, swaying or walking.

  • It should be more perceived than repeated like a parrot.

  • I have been told that when japa is done for love or devotion there are no set rules.

  • I feel that for exploring the world of mantras one should just abandon any concepts
    of East vs West.

  • Japa should be done "soulfully", with feeling, not in a rote mechanical way.  But if it
    feels forced I don't do it at all.

  • A mantra given by an enlightened guru is said to be a "live mantra".

  • However, a yogi I trust told me a mantra can become empowered just by doing it with
    devotion.

  • That same person told me that, in case of pain or discomfort as from an illness,
    mantra japa can be done instead of meditation.

  • Mantras in one's own language can be used and have a strong emotional impact.  
    (Example, the H'Oponopono Mantra

  • Although they say the power increases from gross (loud) to subtler and silent
    repetition, I find that each way of doing it has its own value.

  • I am suspicious of teachings that say only exterior japa should be done, not inner
    silent meditation.  Fanaticism comes.  How many millions have been killed to the cry
    of Heil Hitler, Allah Akbar?  Deep meditation fulfills japa -- it brings a spirit of universal
    love and oneness.

  • Doing mantra in public (like on the bus) is generally better done discretely, or they
    think you're weird.

  • Making a display of what you are doing is discouraged because it inflates the Ego.



    All mantras are the same because they all refer to the Supreme Reality.  Either they are
    names of that Reality or qualities of it or invoke its vibration.  All mantras emerge from the
    matrika shakti -- the "mother energy" at the source of thoughts and words -- and they can
    therefore lead us back to that Source.  


    mantra japa as therapy  

    Free and effective.  If on is feeling bad due to some illness and can't comfortably close
    the eyes to meditate -- japa can be done.  A certain Korean Zen master named Seung
    Sahn was approached by an ex-soldier was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress
    Syndrome after returning from Vietnam:

    "The only way to fix your consciousness is through strong
    practicing.  Two kinds of practicing are important: bowing
    and mantra. First, every day do bowing practice.  Slow, slow
    bowing.  Next is mantra. Choose one mantra — Kwan Seum
    Bosal or any mantra — then do it.  Doing bowing and mantra
    practice doesn't have "I, my or me."  Inside and outside
    become one — boom! .....Only practicing will help you."

    more:
    Q. How can I still my mind ?
    A. Do japa standing in water ... and other times sitting on
    your prayer rug next to the water.
    Q. At some times I feel happy but at other times I feel sad.
    What can I do to feel happy and keep my heart open?
    A. You must do japa more regularly.
       Seung Sahn


    some mantras

    OM NAMAH SHIVAYA

    If you do a search on this one, almost all the sites are only recordings of it or experiences
    with it -- not much theory.  It is the "do it " mantra.  Listen to it somewhere and do it. You
    will start to hear it in the wind, the waves and the thunder.  Forgetthese discussions of
    the East vs the West -- there's only one world and one Source.

    How it works:  Shiva symbolizes the Supreme Self in the crown chakra.  Shakti, his
    consort, is the Supreme Energy dormant in the base chakra.  The mantra awakens her,
    she rises up through the chakras to unite with her consort and liberation is attained.

  • The mystic meaning is "I bow to or honor the Self".
  • It comes from the root word "shiv" meaning "auspicious, helpful,
    friendly".
  • The 5 syllables stand for the 5 elements and our 5 bodies -- which are
    purified by the mantra.
  • There is a silent syllable at the end which is the Self.
  • Pronounced "nama shivaaya", or inverted -- suitable for anyone,
    anywhere, anytime.
  • They say if you do it until it vibrates continuously in the heart, no other
    yogas need be done.

    OM, AUM

    The most ancient knowledge of the Upanishads repeatedly say to meditate on OM.  OM is
    attached to many mantras, just as its cousin AMEN is. OM symbolizes the sound of the
    Supreme,  the "unspoken or nameless Name".  Why?  Because it is open and
    undifferentiated -- outward with the O, inward with the M.  
         
    OM is called the "Pranava Mantra".  Why?  "Prana" means breath and also the universal
    Life Force, and OM is the sound of the Prana -- for those who have the ears to hear it.  
    This Prana radiating OM is where we can bring  Mind, Breathing and Spirit into divine
    union.

    "After Om japa, let the yogi engage in meditation, after meditation
    then do japa.  When Om japa and meditation mature the Supreme
    Self, the Paramatman, shines forth.’
     Vyasa, on the Yoga Sutras

    "The evening prayer merges in the "gayatri" mantra, the mantra in
    Om, and Om in transcendental consciousness. It is like the sound of
    a bell " t-a-m". The yogi, by following the trail of the sound Om,
    gradually merges himself in the Supreme Being."  parafrased from


    YEMAYA ASSESSU

    This lyrical mantra in Yoruba is from Mother Africa.  Yemaya is supposed to be the
    Goddess of the Sea from whom all the other gods and humans come.  She is very caring
    and protective.  Yemaya symbolizes the Ocean of Life and Assessu is the Gushing
    Spring.  Visualize the two uniting -- the river flowing into the sea -- the flow of
    consciousness meeting the ocean of Universal Being.  If you hear it sung --olk it is about
    as close as words can get to the beauty and bliss of the real thing.


    HRIM SHRIM KLIM  ARAHUM HAM SAH


    OM MANI PADME HUM


    LA ILAHA IL ALLAH


    *COMMENTARY COMING


    some good quotes
    "When tired of meditation do japa.  When tired of japa do meditation."   
    Kularnava Tantra

    Group chanting takes away "my" opinion, situation, condition and so on very
    easily.  One has to blend in and harmonize with the rest of the chanters.  
    The main thing, however, is just to do it totally.  SS

    "The human body is a string of Om, all that is—inside us, outside us—is
    born of Om ... Realize and know the subtle !"   Nityananda


    AT:  Isn't there a danger of hypnotizing oneself with a mantra, of putting
    oneself into a sleepy state?

    ZMSS:  Yes.  Again the difference between this and the correct method of
    practice lies in the direction or aim.  Falling into a sleepy or hypnotic state
    means that the direction is not clear.  Practice thus becomes merely
    habitual or mechanical action.  So it is important to ask "Why am I
    practicing this mantra?  Is it for me or for other people?"  In self-hypnosis
    from mechanical repetition there is no such aim; or perhaps the aim is
    merely to relax or to get some sort of good feeling for oneself.  In that case
    it is easy to fall into a dull, drowsy state, but not so if the direction is clear.

    However, sometimes, if very neurotic people come to learn about our
    practice, mechanical repetition of a mantra can do some good, perhaps
    helping them to gather more energy and become stabilized.   SS
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