What is a mantra?
Mantras are unique mystical formulas of sacred syllables, which were originally revealed to the Rishis (seers or sages) in the deepest states of meditation. They are usually composed in the language of Sanskrit, Pali, Tibetan, and Prakrit, or sometimes in Hindi or Gujrati. They are one of the earliest components of yoga and are quite possibly the first type of meditation that was developed. Mantra practices are used throughout many different traditions of Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, Taoism, Shinto, and Zen Buddhism.
Mantras can be spoken aloud, softly whispered, or said
silently in the mind.
Vaikhari Japa is reciting the sacred words
aloud as a way to practice the
pronunciation, deepen concentration and connect
with the vibration of the words.
Upamsu Japa is whispering or humming the
sacred words quietly as a way to cultivate
peace and harmony. Manasika Japa is internal
chanting, or chanting within the mind
only, and requires a great level of focus and
attention. Silent chanting is considered
being 100,000 times more effective than
chanting out loud.
Affirmations
Affirmations are often confused with yoga mantras—they are similar but
significantly different. An affirmation is a positive statement in your native
tongue that you occasionally repeat to yourself. Affirmations are a tool that
assist us in modifying our way of thinking, which in turn helps in changing our
actions and behaviors. Affirmations are most often used to help you attract
more prosperity, peace, love, etc., or to help you achieve your personal goals.
While mantras can be used for material goals, they are primarily used for
spiritual and healing powers. Anyone can create an affirmation, but a mantra
can only be created by a meditation master or guru.
The
three types of mantras
There are three main types of mantras: Bija (seed),
Saguna (with form), and Nirguna (without form). The Bija mantras can
be used individually, but are most often incorporated into Saguna mantras to
invest them with a special “seed” power. The Bija mantras correlate to
the seven chakras and to the main Hindu deities.
The Saguna mantras invoke the
forms of the individual deities or personalized aspects of God. It is said that
the recitation of the Saguna mantras gives rise to the actual form of the
particular deity, thus manifesting its power.
The Nirguna mantras originate from
the Vedic texts and are thus the oldest mantras of the three types.
As no deities or personalized aspects of God are invoked with these words, they
are very difficult to interpret and are considered to not have a specific form
or meaning to them. These mantras are said to have their identification with
all of creation and contain the fundamental truths in yogic philosophy. It is
said that the mind must be very strong to be able to concentrate on the
abstract Nirguna mantras, and thus they are not recommended for beginning
students.
Function
of mantras
As each mantra invokes a precise power, they can be
used for very specific purposes: spiritual power, the healing of diseases, and
for the attainment of worldly desires. When combined with the user’s intention,
they can become even more targeted and empowered. Mantras are believed to be a
link between the devotee and the Divine.
The mantras are said to increase in power in direct
relationship to the number of times repeated. A mantra is fully empowered by
becoming “seated” in the heart after 125,000 repetitions, achieving what is
called Mantra Siddhi.
How
do mantras work?
The power of mantra yoga comes from its ability to
stop negative thought loops, focus our mind, and transform the quality and
nature of our consciousness. When we chant a mantra, we are creating an
energetic vibration within ourselves. As we repeat this sound over and over
again, we begin to feel more connected with the universe. Our minds become
quieter and calmer, and we start to see things differently. Chanting mantras
also helps develop self-awareness, compassion, patience, love, and wisdom.
How
to choose a mantra
A spiritual master or guru usually gives their
students a unique mantra to meditate with during japa. It’s important to note
that these mantras are to be kept secret as they’re given only to those who
have been chosen by the teacher. In fact, most teachers don’t teach mantras to
anyone unless they’ve had some kind of experience with them first.
Traditionally, the initiation into a mantra practice involves a guru or
spiritual leader whispering a secret and personal mantra into the ear of
an initiate. They often perform this in a ceremony where
the yogi receives initiation into the community and spiritual
teachings.
If you don’t have access to a spiritual master or
guru, you can still learn how to do mantra yoga on your own. You’ll need to
choose a mantra that resonates with you and then start practicing it every day.
There are many different types of mantras, so choose something that feels right
to you.
Common
mantras
- Om—The most well-known mantra
is Om or Aum, and it is often used as the seed mantra in longer chants.
- Aham
Prema—This
heart centered mantra translates to ‘I am Divine Love’. Chant this sacred
phrase to invoke unconditional love, acceptance, purity,
appreciation, gratitude, forgiveness, compassion and kindness.
- Om
Mani Padme Hum—This
Buddhist mantra translates to ‘praise to the jewel in the lotus’. It is
used to achieve powerful states of compassion, peace, and equanimity.
- Om
Namah Shivaya—This
translates to “I bow to my highest Self”. Shiva is the supreme God of
transformation and this mantra reminds us that there is only one true
reality, which is consciousness itself.
- Om
Gam Ganapataye Namaha—This phrase invokes the power of Ganesha to
remove any obstacles or challenges that may hinder your
practice. Ganesha is an elephant-headed deity who governs good luck,
wisdom, and knowledge.
- Lokah
Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu—This is a wonderful Sanskrit mantra that
translates as “May all beings everywhere be happy and free.” Use this
as a blessing of compassion, generosity and kindness for yourself, your
loved ones, your community, and the entire world. It is also a reminder
of our own innate goodness.
Practice
tips
- Start
with something short and simple until you are comfortable with the
practice.
- Make
sure you are comfortable sitting up straight and relaxed.
- Repeat
the mantra slowly and clearly.
- Begin
with a short session of around 10 minutes and slowly increase your
practice time.
- Focus
on the feeling of the sacred words resonating in your body.
- Be
mindful of where the mantra goes in your head.
- When
you find yourself thinking about other thoughts, gently return your focus
back to the mantra.
- Try
to keep your eyes closed while chanting.
- Don’t
worry if you make mistakes; just keep going!
- Do
not focus on any other sounds besides the mantra itself.
- Practice
every day for 10 minutes, to build our capacity to sustain consistent
practice.
Benefits
of mantras
Like prayer and affirmation, the repetitious use of
mantra can have powerful effects on the mind, body, spirit, and emotions.
Mentally, japa meditation increases concentration and improves memory and
focus. Physically, japa meditation lowers the heart rate, reduces blood
pressure, and activates the relaxation response to allow healing and
rejuvenation to occur. Japa meditation builds self-confidence and
self-empowerment, reduces stress and balances the emotions. Spiritually,
mantras are said to dissolve one’s bad karma, produce jnana (wisdom) and are
considered one of the many yogic paths towards self-realization. A daily
meditation practice is recommended to receive the most benefits.
Conclusion
Mantras are used for many purposes, including healing, meditation,
personal growth, and prayer. By linking your breath to the vibration of sound,
the repetition of a sacred word helps you enter a deep meditative state, clears
your mind of negative thoughts, and connects you to your higher self and the
divine. Chanting these sacred sounds affects the energy channels in the body
and is calming to the mind and spirit. By practicing mantras, we can learn to
access the spiritual wisdom within us, become more mindful in our daily life,
and help ourselves heal and transform.
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