mantra
    japa


    "Focus on the emergence or disappearance of a sound,               
    then reach a space of indescribable fullness."

    MAN-TRA "mind-taking across" -- Brings relief from worldliness and our
    internal chains.  It connects us to Source Consciousness, and we
    become channels of that inner creative force, and yet we stay
    submerged in our own being, free and clear.  

    MANTRA JAPA is the repetition of a mantra -- The repetition of
    very specific word-syllable-vibrations that invoke or carry us to back to
    Source -- A highly enjoyable practice that anyone can do -- Out loud,
    sung, whispered, mentally or very subtly.  Only it must be done
    naturally, spontaneously, with no ulterior motive or expectation.

    MANTRAS exist in many traditional cultures, altho maybe not called "mantras".  But
    they all refer to the same Inner Source -- and can lead us back to that Source.  
    MANTRA JAPA is said to be the best practice for this Age, when people have little
    capacity for more austere practices.

    ACTIVE MEDITATION   In this section I am emphasize MANTRA JAPA as a
    practice to be done in activity -- whether moving about, or turning the beads, or
    doing deep yoga breathing, or chanting or singing.  Mantra as a way to enter the
    deep meditation state of "restful alertness" is not my main emphasis here.



    my experience  

  • A mantra used regularly is like a good friend who's always there.

  • It can beat listening to music.  I don't need an I-Pod or a car radio.

  • When I do it in the morning it starts a current for the whole day.

  • When done from time to time during the day, it brings renewed serenity and
    power.

  • I like to do it with a tone and rhythm that please the inner ear -- even when
    done silently.

  • Sometimes I do it mentally, sometimes before meditation with deeper
    breathing, sometimes sung or chanted.  As and when it feels right.  "Variety is
    the spice of life."

  • It seems to be going on by itself at some deeper level.

  • I know several mantras from different traditions, but have my favorites for
    regular use.

  • Japa is best done when the mind is free -- walking, riding the bus, eating, going
    to sleep, during any lull in one's activity.

  • Mantra Japa and deep silent meditation support each other.  Japa can pull one
    right into meditation.

  • When Japa is done for its own sake it is so satisfying!

  • Japa can go with the rhythm of the breath, moving, walking or with Yoga.

  • Sometimes I feel to do it out loud, other times silently.

  • Japa should be done "soulfully", not in a rote mechanical way. If it starts to feel
    forced I stop -- and come back only when I feel to.


    what I learned from the masters

  • A mantra can become empowered just by using it with devotion.  This,
    according to what Baba Hari Das told me.  Even tho tradition says that a
    mantra is a "live mantra" when given by an enlightened guru.

  • When japa is done for love and devotion there are no rules -- Any one, any
    time, in any way!    However, showing off any such intimate practice can take
    away one vital ingredient: humility.

  • Any mantra used with sincerity can bring good results. Because all mantras
    emerge from the "matrika shakti" -- the "mother energy" at the inner Source of
    thoughts and words. Therefore they can all lead us back to that Source.

  • Yogic texts say: the power of japa increases from the gross (out loud), to the
    mental, to the subtle and finally to the silent level -- just as science says about
    the levels of matter: gross, molecular, atomic, subatomic to the Quantum Field
    of pure potential.

  • For specific purposes there is a specialized mantra science.  For example, to
    offset a bad planetary transit or to improve one's luck.  This is not to be
    confused with what I am presenting here.

    I strongly feel that all mystic teachings are the heritage of all humanity.  
    They belong to whoever uses them with sincerity.  Nobody has the right to tell you
    that you cannot do some practice because you are not born as "one of the chosen".  
    I have had past lives in many diverse cultures -- so have you!   The global space
    from which all emerges is MONOPOLY FREE TERRITORY!

    To fulfill mantra we have to transcend mantra.  External-only incantations, like
    to some god or leader -- without going to that inner space -- result in a horrible
    fanaticism.   "Heil Hitler" is a sad example.  Exceeding even that, about 100 million
    were killed in India to the shouts of "Allah Akbar".  On the contrary, when you get
    back to the Inner Source a real sense of universal brotherhood develops.  If
    humanity ever gets back to its SELF, fanaticism will be finished.


    mantra therapy  

    MANTRA JAPA THERAPY is free and effective!   MANTRA JAPA  can even be
    substituted for meditation, in case one has discomfort due to illness.  Hear the
    recommendations of Zen Master Seung Sahn to a Vietnam Vet:

    "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 ... Doing bowing and mantra practice
    doesn't have "I, my or me."  Inside and outside become one —
    boom!"   

    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.


    some mantras

OM NAMAH SHIVAYA

    This is a "do it" kind of mantra that anyone can use.  Listen to it and then do it! It has a natural
    healing sound to it.  You can hear it in the wind and the waves and the thunder.  They say if you
    do it a lot it will vibrate continuously in the heart -- and no other yogas will be required.  Click to
    hear it done as japa, chanted or as an art form.

  • The mystic meaning is "I bow to or honor the Self".  
  • The root word SHIV means "auspicious, helpful, friendly".  
  • The 5 syllables NA-MA-SHI-VA-YA purify and revitalize the 5 elements and our 5 bodies.  
  • There is a silent final syllable which is the Self.


    This mantra is great for using along with life in the world.  Says Babaji of
    Herakhan:

    "I do not want japa to be a pretext for idleness.  Do japa with your
    work and be liberated ... I do not want the name of the supreme to be
    like stagnant, muddy water, but like sparkling running water.  Work
    and be light.”  


    Mythologically, SHIVA, the the Supreme Self, is the god of meditation sitting in the thousand-
    petalled chakra in the crown of the head.  SHAKTI, meaning Supreme Energy, is Shiva's consort
    who is sleeping or dormant in the root chakra.  Shiva's name awakens her and she rises up
    through the chakras to unite with her consort -- and liberation is attained!   This figurative image
    symbolizes a real and extraordinary process.


OM, AUM

    OM is not usually used for MANTA JAPA by itself.  It's more like the essence of all mantras --
    one underlying, pure, undifferentiated vibration.   Thus, it symbolizes the "WORD that was in the
    beginning" -- And the beginning is happening now! -- Life is continually manifesting from the inner
    Source.  Even science is verifying this as the Quantum Ground State.

       OM is called the "mantra of Prana".  Why?  PRANA means "universal life force".  OM is the
    sound, extremely subtle, of the Prana.  Thus OM is going on all the time in our body and breath!
    Thus, thru it we can bring Mind, Breathe and Spirit into union.

    OM is added many mantras. All mantras dissove into OM and Divine Silence.  Variations of OM
    include AH, HUM, UMA.  In Africa and the Middle East OM is known as AMEN.  
      
    OM can best be used internally, as the greatest masters have told:

    "Draw the OM sound inside with the breath just as you draw water from a well.  And
    like dropping the bucket for a refill, release the exhalation with OM."

    "Devotion, reflection, power all merge and become OM. The ego melts into the OM
    sound like camphor melts in fire ... Place the mind in the higher mind like a child placed
    in the cradle and rocked. Know who you are."   Nityananda

    "O Bhairavî, sing OM, the mantra of the love union of Shiva and Shakti, slowly and
    consciously.  Enter the sound and when it fades away, slip into freedom of being."    
    Vigyana Bairava Tantra

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

    "The fruition of this process is supreme consciousness (samadhi) which yields release
    (moksha), which is the state of unsurpassable bliss."   Ramana Maharshi



OM HRIM SHRIM KLIM  ARAHUM HAM SAH

    I learned this mantra from a Jain monk I met briefly.  He told me it was "purifying". As he
    led the chanting in a small meeting, I could almost see the mantras coming out of him full
    of transcendental light and bliss.
      
    Each of the "seed syllables" in this have their own potency.  For example, HRIM is said to
    dispel illusion and thus help reveal the Reality. These seed syllables can be used
    independently for deep meditation.  

    The pronunciation of the mantra is "HREENG SHREENG KLEENG ARAHUNG HONG
    SAH".  
       

    The message of this teacher is was quiet simple:

    Remain still, maintain silence, fall into a state of meditation and dissolve
    yourself.


RAAM NAAM

    You can find variations of this mantra in different permutations from Africa to India.  
    Notice when you say RAAM the tongue goes up to the roof of the mouth.  Notice that it
    contains the OM sound.

    RAAM alone is used for deep meditation.  In elaborated forms it is used for Japa.

    RAAM means "supreme bliss".
    NAAM  means the "transcendental name, sound and light".

    RA is masculine solar energy.  MA is feminine and cooling.
    RA is also the seed syllable for fire -- which can mean the yogic fire of purification.

  • RAMA was the name given to a divine king of ancient India.

  • RAHM means "supreme love" in the Aramaic language of Yeshua (Jesus).  

  • AMEN is NAMA backwards.  In the Yoruba language of Africa AMEN refers to the "unseen
    divine realities".  Then, in ancient Egypt AMEN RA was the name of the Supreme.



    some good quotes

    ~ Focus on the emergence or the disappearance of a sound, then reach the ineffable
    plenitude of the void.

    ~ By being totally present to song, to music, enter spatiality with each sound which
    rises and dissolve into it.

    ~ Visualize a letter, let yourself be filled by its radiance.  With open awareness, enter
    first the sonority of the letter, then a subtler and subtler sensation.  When the letter
    dissolves into space, be free.    V.B. TANTRA
      
     ~If you really believe that "Coca Cola" is the greatest mantra and practice it diligently,
    it will work for you.
      
    ~ Q:  Isn't there a danger of hypnotizing oneself with a mantra, of putting oneself into
    a sleepy state?
    ~ A:  Yes.  So it is important to ask "Why am I practicing this mantra? " ... Only mantra
    has no direction. However, "Who is doing the mantra?" means having a direction.   SS
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