Mantra Meditation
Mantra meditation involves the use of a mantra (mantra means "mind-instrument"). This meditation technique brings one into unity consciousness through repetition of a sound vibration, and establishes a state of transcendence. The use of a repetitive sound begins to allow the thought process to slow down, opening the heart and mind, and brings one into higher levels of consciousness. This is a powerful meditation technique and a deeply spiritual and sacred practice for many meditators, but you do not need to be a "religious" person to experience the gifts of mantra meditation.
Duel Function
Concentration
Single point concentration interrupts the flow of the normal thinking process and gives the mind something to do other than let the mind chatter to clutter your being with its relentless stream of repetitive thought.
Harmony
Mantra meditation allows you to put yourself in harmony with the Divine within the universe.
Sanskrit Mantras in Meditation
Mantras used in Sanskrit are particularly special because of the way the sound and intonation of the Sanskrit syllables create a certain vibration that will eventually affect your internal and external world through regular practice and repetition. The entire Sanskrit language is designed to that effect which makes Sanskrit mantras especially powerful.
Now this may sound scary or intimidating, however, a Sanskrit mantra can be as simple as the sound vibration at the time of your birth. This is a one-syllable sound that can be easily learned, memorized and used in your daily mantra meditation. This particular sound is very powerful as there are many thousands of “seed” sounds which makes the one calculated based on your birth-data quite unique. Using your birth sound in daily meditation might be the easiest and yet one of the most empowering practices to find peace, create calm and find your best self though meditation. Some mantras are more involved in that they address certain deities and with that are often used for a specific purpose.
We often use mantras dedicated to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi to invoke prosperity and material fortune. Mantras dedicated to Shiva are used as a daily practice and can be quite advanced using intricate mantras to deal with worldly issues like death, terminal or very serious illness, or bankruptcy.
There are many books and research on mantras. However, if you wish to address a serious problem it is wise to consult your birth chart to find which mantra might give you the best benefit for the particular life cycle you are going through at the moment of difficulty.
How to perform
You may have heard traditional Sanskrit mantras used in Buddhist chants and Hindu chants. You don’t have to use these but instead can use your own phrase which can be something as simple as: “I am calm and centered”.
To perform a mantra meditation, follow the steps below:
1. Choose a cushion or blanket as your meditation cushion. If you choose a blanket, fold it up once or twice so that it is comfortable to sit on. Now pick a quiet spot where you will be undisturbed.
2. Sit with your legs crossed or in the Lotus position, where each thigh is placed on top of the opposite thigh rather than underneath.
3. Sit up straight and allow your chin and shoulders to relax just as you did when you were breathing. Close your eyes.
4. Relax and breathe in and out naturally.
5. Start to focus your attention on the center of your forehead which is a place commonly known as your third eye or sixth chakra.
6. Now place your palms together at chest height breathe in deeply and, on the exhalation, recite out loud or to yourself a mantra.
7. Whatever mantra you choose, repeat it three times and then take a few minutes to simply relax and breathe.
List of Mantras
“Love is the only miracle there is.” – Osho
“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” – Gandhi
“Every day in every way I’m getting better and better.” – Laura Silva
“I change my thoughts, I change my world.” – Norman Vincent Peale
I will smile and impact someone’s day positively.
My breaths will be deep and my heart will be open.
I’ll release the things out of my control.
Where I am right now is exactly where I need to be.
I have a purpose in this life.
I surround myself by those who make me better.
I am a magnet for joy, love, and abundance.
Money flows easily and effortlessly to me.
I am enough.
I am at peace with what is, what was, and what will be. I forgive you. I forgive me.
I am open to the abundance of the universe.
Some Sanskrit Mantras
“Aum”, “Om”: Sanskrit, meaning “It Is” or “To Become”. This is considered most sacred in that tradition and to have the vibration of intention manifesting in the physical realm, or more simply the vibration of the universal consciousness. Also used in Buddhism and other traditions.
“So Ham”: The Hindu variant, meaning I am that.
“Om Mani Padme Hum”: This one’s from Tibet and it means, roughly, “Hail the jewel in the Lotus.” The jewel, in this case, is the Buddha of Compassion.
“Sabbe Satta Sukhi Hontu”: Buddhist, Pali phrase meaning “May all Beings be well (or hap
py)”.
“Om Shanti Shanti Shanti”: Buddhist and Hindu, the starting of Om followed by peace of mind, peace of body, and peace of speech.
“Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu”: May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.
“Gate gate pāragate pārasaṃgate bodhi svāhā”: “Gone, gone, gone beyond, gone utterly beyond, Enlightenment hail!”
“Asato Ma Sat Gamaya, Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya, Mrityor Ma Amritam Gamaya”: from unreal lead me to real, from darkness lead me to light, from death lead me to transcend it.
“Om Trayambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti Vardhanam, Urvarukam Iva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Mamritat”: I implore you, the Source of the cycle of birth, life and death, to free me from its bondage, make me fearless, and lead me to the absolute truth and bliss.