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Monday, October 3, 2011

Mantra Meditation - Chanting Mantras For Spiritual Transformation

What are mantras and what is their importance in meditation

Mantra meditation is one of the oldest meditation techniques available to us. The use of mantras comes from the Vedic times where people used mantras in chanting to influence the gods or ask things from them.

Mantras are either syllables, words or phrases that are chanted rhythmically in incantations either loud, in whispers or in the mind, silently.
Also called 'sound symbols', depending on the school or philososphy that the person belongs to, the mantras can be anything, ranging from various Buddhist figures, to the name of God in the respective culture, or simply letters from the alphabet.

Mantra meditation is said to be capable of spiritual transformation and growth in the person practicing it.

Chanting mantras has been used in practically every culture throughout the times, starting from the Vedic tradition of incorporating them in the mantra meditation.
It has always been believed that words have powers, and chanting a mantra can control the various external elements and forces, such as gods or other higher spirits.
One of the beliefs of the ancient world was that if you knew the true name of the gods, you could control them and compel them to do whatever you ask of them.
Even the Bible mentions the power of the words:(In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. New Testament, John1:1-2 )
At some point mantras have become an integral part of the Hindu tradition, being practiced in Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism.
Especially the syllable 'aum' (also known as 'om', 'ah' or 'hum') was very popular in the various Hindu scriptures, and this mantra has been transmitted from generation to generation the modern times of today. Many meditators are using this syllable in their meditation practices.
It has been also used in the Japa meditation, being called 'mantra japa', which means the repetition of the mantra. Yoga meditation also makes use of it.
In Buddhist meditation, mantras have entered relatively late as a part of the spiritual practice known as Tantra. This used mantral quite extensively in order to influence the decisions of gods and achieve enlightenment.

Mantra in modern meditation


Many modern meditations, including the transcendental meditation are using mantras, however in most cases they do not have a particular meaning (such as 'god') for the meditator.
It is the focus of the attention during the meditation session. Most of the times they are simply sounds that the person needs to focus on to enter a state of relaxation for meditation.
This does not mean that mantras with a meaning are no longer popular or used. They are. When a person meditates using a mantra of 'God' for example, by repeating the name over and over again, either loudly or silently, they remove all their other impressions from the mind, remaining only with the name of God.

Repeating the mantra


Repetion of the mantra means that when you use it in mantra meditation, you will either say it loudly, whispering or completely silently. It is really up to your personal preferences. However it is important to repeat it at the same speed at all times.
You can easily co-ordinate it with your inhaling or exhaling by repeating it once at each step.
While repeating a mantra, listen to how it sounds in your voice or in your mind. By repeating it over and over again while breathing in and out, it will enter every pore of your body, every cell until you will become one with it, one with God.
You can use various meditation accessories during the mantra meditation such as Japa mala meditation beads which have been used for thousands of years by spiritual enlightenment seekers.

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