Meditation means different things to different people. To some, it suggests periods of quiet self-observation. To others, it means breath awareness or thinking reflectively. In the Bhakti yoga tradition, a key element of meditation is the repetition of a sound or a prayer—a mantra—which focuses the mind and becomes a source of inner balance and well-being.
If you have never practiced mantra meditation before, the process of reciting a mantra may appear rather mechanical. But the repetition of a mantra is anything but robotic. With regular practice, you will find that mantra meditation will lead you to a much deeper understanding of yourself as you encounter new layers of your mind. Wants and hopes, duties and obligations, ideals, and aspirations surface in your awareness. From meditation to meditation, life unfolds under your inner gaze, asking you to witness it in its entirety.
A mantra serves as a kind of centering device during this process. It offers a resting place for the everyday mind. It collects distracting energies. It brings spiritual insights forward so that you can integrate them into daily life. Just as great music transforms a listener, a mantra gradually lifts and transforms your mind.
What prevents you from living a life like that is calm, centered, and focused?
Have you experienced Restlessness, Stress, Insecurity, irritability, fear, or negative self-talk?
The word mantra comes from the Sanskrit language and can be broken down into two parts: “man,” which means mind, and “tra,” which means transport or vehicle. One could interpret this as an instrument or vehicle that helps transport or elevate the mind. Many experience mantra as a way to retreat from the regularly stressed mind and to deepen the faculties of intuition, spiritual strength, and happiness.
In the Bhakti tradition, there are two types of mantra meditation, Japa and Kirtan. Japa is a quiet and personal meditation where one chants on prayer beads.
Kirtan, on the other hand, is a joyous congregational meditation on the same sound vibration, in a call-and-response style, with pulsating musical instruments.
There are many mantras, but of all, the Hare Krishna Mahamantra is particularly recommended as a means of deliverance for this age.
hare krsna hare krsna krsna krsna hare hare
hare rama hare rama rama rama hare hare
“The sixteen words of the Hare Krsna Mahamantra are specially meant for counteracting the sins of the age of Kali. To save oneself from the contamination of this age. After searching through all the Vedic literature, one cannot find a method more sublime for this age than the chanting of Hare Krsna Mahamantra.”
iti sodasakam namnam kali-kalmasa-nasanam
natah parataropayah sarva-vedesu drsyate
(Kali-Santarana Upanisad 5-6)
The Hare Krishna Maha Mantra is made up of three words – Hare, Krishna, and Rama:
Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare – the beautiful energy of the Lord
Krishna – the all-attractive one
Rama – the one who gives happiness to all
These simple yet profound words help attune our consciousness to the treasure of spiritual happiness that already exists within our hearts.
Comments