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The
Tao of Chants and Mantras
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Namaste!
Mantras and Chanting
The
following quote is by W. Somerset Maugham
and relates to one man's search and attainment of spiritual Enlightenment:
"The man I am writing about is not famous. It may be that he
never will be.
It may be that when his life at last comes to an end he will leave
no more trace
of his sojourn on earth than a stone thrown into a river leaves on
the surface of the water.
But it may be that the way of life that he has chosen for himself
and the peculiar strength and sweetness of his character may have
an ever-growing influence
over his fellow men so that, long after his death perhaps,
it may be realized that there lived in this age a very remarkable
creature."
-The Razor's Edge by Somerset
Maugham-
Chant
is the rhythmic speaking or singing of words or sounds,
often primarily on one or two pitches called reciting tones.
Chants may range from a simple melody involving a limited set of notes
to highly complex musical structures,
often including a great deal of repetition of musical subphrases,
such as Great Responsories and Offertories of Gregorian chant.
Chant may be considered speech, music, or a heightened or stylized
form of speech.
In the later Middle Ages some religious chant evolved into song
(forming one of the roots of later Western music).
Chanting
the Name of God or Goddess
is a spiritual practice that is commonly practiced.
Chants form part of many religious rituals,
and diverse spiritual traditions consider chant a route to spiritual
development.
Some examples include chant in African and Native American tribal
cultures,
Gregorian chant, Vedic chant, Jewish liturgical music (chazzanut),
Qur'an reading, Baha'i chants, various Buddhist chants, various mantras,
and the chanting of psalms and prayers especially in
Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran and Anglican churches.
Tibetan Buddhist chant involves throat singing,
where multiple pitches are produced by each performer.
The concept of chanting mantras is of particular significance
in many Hindu traditions and other closely related Dharmic Religions.
For example, the Hare Krishna movement is based especially on
the chanting of Sanskrit Names of God.
Japanese Shigin (éçã·), or 'chanted poetry',
mirrors Zen principles and is sung from the gut —
the focus of power in Zen Buddhism.
The word
Mantra is a Sanskrit word combining the two syllables:
man, meaning mind, and tra translated as deliverance.
A mantra is a pure sound-vibration
intended to deliver the mind from illusion and material inclinations.
Chanting is the process of repeating a mantra.
Mantra Chanting helps one to keep the mind centered and peaceful
while instilling the whole being with love and devotion.
"A Mantra is divine power in the form of
sound.
Constant repetition of the Mantra with faith, devotion and purity
enhances the shakti or power of the aspirant and bestows illumination,
freedom, peace, eternal bliss and immortality."
-Swami Sivananda-
Peace
and Love
Forever!
LionHeart
June 2010
(
To repeat any mantra one should repeat it with full awareness of its
meaning. )
PRESENTED
BY:
the Wanderling
The Mantra's
(or mantram as it is sometimes refered to) purpose is to assist your
mind to focus when it is scattered. By chanting mantras, one is able
to produce a spiritual effect which is associated with the physical
sensation of the vibration the chant produces. Thus when the mantra
is chanted the effect is felt. This is an easy way to obtain peace
of mind, but takes much practice.
Chanting mantras
is also used to make the intent of the mantra a physical reality.
Energy naturally follows intent and thus the chanting of a mantra
will eventually lead to the physical manifestation of the mantra.
Chanting mantras affects your subtle body (electromagnetic energy
field) which holds your consciousness.
Since your subtle body is made up of small vibrations, chanting directly
affects the energy vibration of your subtle body.
Mantras start a powerful vibration which corresponds to both a specific
spiritual energy frequency and a state of consciousness in seed form.
Over time, the mantra process begins to override all of the other
smaller vibrations, which eventually become absorbed by the mantra.
After a length of time which varies from individual to individual,
the great wave of the mantra stills all other vibrations. Ultimately,
the mantra produces a state where the organism vibrates at the rate
completely in tune with the energy and spiritual state represented
by and contained within the mantra.
By slowly understanding how mantras work, our
understanding of the universe which is composed of energy is broadened.
See
also
White
Light Shields.
A mantra can
be as simple as the single syllable "OM"
to the repetition of the Bhagavan
Sri Ramana Maharshi's
"Who
Am I?" to the more complicated
"OM SRI RAM JAI RAM JAI JAI RAM " used by Swami
Ramdas
and "OM
TARE TUTARE TURE SVHA" as used by the Female
Buddha, Tara,
to the
super complicated
Shurangama Mantra that was recognized as being so valuable at
one time
that the rulers of India forbade it to be circulated outside of the
country:
The esoteric wonder is inexhaustible; it is
truly difficult to fathom.
The secret words of Vajra come from the inherent nature.
The Shurangama Mantra contains miraculous wonders.
Cultivators and ordinary people can open the Five Eyes and Six Penetrations.
Regardless of all of the above, the following
should be carefully
taken into consideration by any serious seeker along the path:
The Buddha said that neither the repetition of scriptures, nor self-torture,
nor sleeping on the ground, nor the repetition of prayers, penances,
hymns, charms, mantras,
incantations and invocations can bring the real happiness of Nirvana.
Instead the Buddha emphasized the importance of making individual
effort in order to achieve spiritual goals.
When
the Buddha was walking along the road to Benares
following his post-Enlightenment pause
he was approached by a wandering ascetic.
According to the custom of the time the ascetic greeted him
and asked who his teacher was or what doctrine he followed.
The Buddha told the wanderling that he was
"the Victor and Conqueror of the World,
superior to gods and men, an All-Enlightened One beholden to no teacher".
The wandering ascetic could see no hint of anything of the Buddha's
nature
and wandered off as wanderlings are oft to do,
mumbling under his breath something like,
"If it were only so!"
OM MANI
PADME HUM
"The jewel is in the lotus or praise to the jewel in the lotus"
(Excerpts by His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso The Fourteenth
Dalai Lama of Tibet )
*****
It is very good to recite the mantra OM MANI
PADME HUM, but while
you are doing it, you should be thinking on its meaning
Thus the six syllables, OM MANI PADME HUM,
mean that in dependence
on the practice which is in indivisible union of method and wisdom,
you can transform your impure body, speech and mind into the pure
body, speech, and mind of a Buddha.
It is said that you should not
seek for Buddhahood outside of yourself;
the substances for the achievement of Buddhahood are within.
As Maitreya says in his SUBLIME
CONTINUUM OF GREAT VEHICLE (UTTARA TANTRA)
all beings naturally have the Buddha nature in their own continuum.
We have within us the seed
of purity, the essence of a One Gone Thus (TATHAGATAGARBHA),
that is
to be transformed and full developed into Buddhahood.
Karma Thubten Trinley says,
"These are the six syllables which prevent rebirth into the six
realms of cyclic existence.
It translates literally as 'OM the jewel in the lotus HUM'.
OM prevents rebirth in
the god realm,
MA prevents rebirth in the Asura (Titan)
Realm,
NI prevents rebirth in the Human realm,
PAD prevents rebirth in the Animal realm,
MI prevents rebirth in the Hungry ghost
realm,
and HUM prevents rebirth in the Hell
realm."
Listen
to Om
Mani Padme Hum
(
To repeat any mantra one should repeat it with full awareness of its
meaning. )
OM,
AUM
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti
OM is considered to be the primeval sound,
the sound of the universe, the sound from which all other sounds are
formed.
You could regard it as being the equivalent of white light, in which
all of the colors of the rainbow can be found.
One Sanskrit-English dictionary says the following:
"A word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent , sometimes
translated by 'yes , verily , so be it' (and in this sense compared
with Amen ; it is placed at the commencement of most Hindu works , and
as a sacred exclamation may be uttered at the beginning and end of a
reading of the Vedas or previously to any prayer ; it is also regarded
as a particle of auspicious salutation [Hail!] ; Om appears first in
the Upanishads as a mystic monosyllable , and is there set forth as
the object of profound religious meditation , the highest spiritual
efficacy being attributed not only to the whole word but also to the
three sounds A, U, M, of which it consists "
Shanti simply means "peace".
It's a beautiful meaning and also a very beautiful sound.
The shanti is repeated three times, as are many chants in Buddhism.
You could interpret this as meaning peace in body, speech, and mind
(i.e. in the entirety of one's being), or as a wish for peace individually,
collectively, and universally.
Hindu teachings typically end with the words Om shanti shanti shanti
as an invocation of peace,
and the mantra is also used to conclude some Buddhist devotional ceremonies.
OM
Let us meditate on this syllable,
The earth emerges from the waters;
plants emerge from the earth;
human beings emerge from plants;
speech comes from human beings;
and OM comes from speech.
OM is the essence of all essences.
It is the highest of the high. It is the ultimate.
Speech and breath combine to form OM.
Speech and breath are like a couple in coitus,
and OM is their offspring.
OM is the fulfillment of their desires.
OM represents
the wholeness of the universe
and the eternal vibratory sound of brahman (the universal soul) that
permeates it.
Om is called shabda-brahman, the sound-form of brahman.
All Hindu mantras generally begin and often also end with Om.
It has been frequently mentioned in the Vedas and other scriptures of
Hinduism.
OM is also the mantra of ascent and causes our energy to rise upward
into the infinite.
By reciting Om, a person gains access to the powers of the universe;
and meditation on Om is said to lead to enlightenment and immortality.
OM is expansive and increases the fire, air and ether elements, particularly
ether.
It also gives strength, protection and grace. It connects us with the
guidance power of the inner Guru.
Om is both atman and brahman: it is the past,
the present and the future,
as well as all that transcends time.
By chanting OM and controlling the breathing perfectly,
which is mostly a mechanical way of steadying the mind,
one is eventually able to go into trance or samadhi.
Through this system,
one gradually changes the tendencies of the
materially absorbed mind and makes it spiritualized.
This process may take many years to perfect.
Om creates a soft, peaceful inner space for the
mind to rest.
Chanting OM will re harmonize your whole being from the most subtle
to the most tangible level
by directly working on the chakra system - whether you know about this
system or not.
Even though the OM chant can be used as background music to create harmony
in your environment
as well as in yourself it is most beneficial when used as a support
for formal meditation.
When listening, focus your attention on the sound vibrations.
After some time, you will be able to chant along.
This will develop your awareness of the subtle effects of sound and
takes the mind deeper inside.
Yogi
Hari OM Chant
Listen
to the chant Om
Shanti Shanti Shanti in Real Player
( To repeat any
mantra one should repeat it with full awareness of its meaning. )
"OM
TARE TUTARE TURE SVHA"
Tara is the most praised female Buddha in Tibetan
Buddhist practices
because she protects us from dangers, difficulties and all sorts of
obstacles.
Tara's presence can be swiftly felt when using her mantra.
It is recommended this mantra be chanted by everyone since it universally
brings benefit
and aids in the removal of all kinds of obstacles, especially around
the full moon and new moon periods.
Tara (whose name means "star" or "she
who ferries across") is the female Bodhisattva of compassion.
In Tibetan, Tara is known as "Dölma"
(Sgrol-ma), or "She Who Saves."
In particular she represents compassion in action,
since she's in the process of stepping from her lotus throne in order
to help sentient beings.
Her mantra is a loving play on her name.
According to Sangharakshita,
a traditional explanation of the mantra
is that the variations of her name represent three progressive stages
of salvation.
"OM TARE TUTARE TURE
SVHA"
1. Tare represents salvation from mundane
dangers and suffering.
Tara is seem as a savioress who can give aid from material threats such
as floods, crime, wild animals, and traffic accidents.
2. Tuttre represents deliverance into the
spiritual path conceived in terms of individual salvation.
In traditional terms, this is the path of the Arhant, which leads to
individual liberation from suffering.
This is seen in Mahayana Buddhism as a kind of enlightenment in which
compassion does not figure strongly.
3. Lastly, Ture represents the culmination
of the spiritual path
in terms of deliverance into the altruistic path of universal salvation
- the Bodhisattva path.
In the Bodhisattva path we aspire for personal enlightenment,
but we also connect compassionately with the sufferings of others,
and strive to liberate them at the same time as we seek enlightenment
ourselves.
Svaha, according to Monier Monier-William's
Sanskrit Dictionary,
means "Hail!", "Hail to!" or "May a blessing
rest on!"
Her mantra can therefore be rendered as something like
"OM! Hail to Tara (in her three roles as
a savioress)!"
although this may one of theose occasions when the mantra is best left
untranslated.
Listen here to the Tara
(Green Tara) Mantra on Real audio.
( To repeat any mantra
one should repeat it with full awareness of its meaning. )
Om
Namo Narayanaya
Vishnu is regarded as a major god in Hinduism and Indian
mythology.
He is thought as the preserver of the universe
while two other major Hindu gods Brahma and Shiva,
are regarded respectively, as the creator and destroyer of the universe.
The original worship of Vishnu,
by the Aryan conquerors of India or the original Dravidian inhabitants
is not definitely known.
In the ancient Vedas, the body of literature known as the Veda, and
sacred literature of the Aryan conquerors,
Vishnu is ranked among the lesser gods and is usually associated
with the major Vedic god Indra who in the epics and Puranas
fights against dragons and demonic forces.
These latter writings emerge during the later development of Hinduism.
It is throughout this literature and especially through incarnations
that Vishnu is raised to higher rankings within the Hindu pantheon.
He becomes the prominent second god of the Trimurti,
the Hindu Triad, while Brahma is first and Shiva is third.
In some Puranic literature Vishnu is said to be eternal, an all-pervading
spirit,
and associated with the primeval waters that are believed to have been
omnipresent before the creation of the universe.
Narayanaya is another name
for Vishnu who symbolizes
the tendency inherent in all aspects of life to find a state of balance.
This tendency manifests for example in the healing of wounds, in chemical
bonds,
as well as in the great incarnations such as Rama, Krishna, Buddha etc.
who come to this plane when the order of the world is threatened.
Vishnu preserves and maintains the cosmic order.
He symbolizes compassion.
This mantra attracts those who like responsibilities
and who have a protective nature.
Listen to Yogi Hari chant
Om Namo Narayanaya
(
To repeat any mantra one should repeat it with full awareness of its
meaning. )
Om
Namah Shivaya
Shiva symbolizes the power of destruction and transformation
at work in all aspects of life.
Shiva destroys the negative tendencies and obstacles to spiritual evolution.
He holds the power of the whole universe. He is the ideal of the yogis.
This mantra suits those persons drawn to meditation and a life of solitude.
Siddhis or psychic powers are easily granted to the Shiva Devotees.
Om Namah Shivaya is known as the great redeeming mantra also known as
five-syllable mantra
The meaning :
It means "I bow to Shiva."
Shiva is the supreme reality, the inner Self.
It is the name given to consciousness that dwells in all. Shiva is the
name of your true identity- your self.
According to Hindu mythology there are three Gods who run this creation.
The Brahma - who creates the universe, the Vishnu - who preserves the
Universe and the Shiva- who in the end destroys the universe. Among
the three deities, Shiva, though considered as destroyer, also symbolize
the - the inner self which remains intact even after everything ends.
In this mantra the chanter (one who repeats the mantra) bow to Shiva-
his true self.
Om Namah Shivay is a very powerful mantra. It has been said about this
mantra that if this mantra vibrates continually in your heart, then
you have no need to perform austerities, to meditate, or to practise
yoga. To repeat this mantra you need no rituals or ceremonies, nor must
you repeat it at an auspicious time or in a particular place."
This mantra is free of all restrictions. It can be repeated by anyone,
young or old, rich or poor and no matter what state a person is in,
it will purify him.
How to repeat 'Om Namah Shivay'
Sit in a comfortable and peaceful place and position.
Start repeating the mantra in your mind or loudly with the same speed
as you talk:
Om Namah Shivay (Aum Num-ha Shi-why)
Listen to Yogi Hari chant Om
Namah Shivaya
( To repeat any mantra
one should repeat it with full awareness of its meaning. )
The
Gayatri Mantra
It is considered
one of the most universal of all Hindu mantras,
invoking the universal Brahman as the principle of knowledge
and the illumination of the primordial Sun.
Rishis have selected the words of various Mantras and arranged them
in such a way that they not only convey some meaning but their chanting
also creates specific energies. Gayatri is a mantra which inspires righteous
wisdom. It means that the Almighty God may illuminate our intellect,
which may lead us on the righteous path. This is the most important
prayer. All the problems of a person are solved if he is endowed with
righteous wisdom. Having far-sighted wisdom, a man is neither entangled
in avoidable calamity nor does he tread a wrong path. A wise man intuitively
finds solutions to his problems. Those who lack this clear-sightedness
find themselves always facing problems and ever living from crisis it
crises. The worship of Gayatri mantra bestows the boon of righteous
wisdom. The teachings of and the powers incorporated in Gayatri mantra
fulfil this purpose.
In short it is a prayer to the Almighty Supreme God, the Creator of
entire cosmos, the essence of our life existence, who removes all our
pains and sufferings and grants happiness beseeching His divine grace
to imbibe within us His Divinity and Brilliance which may purify us
and guide our righteous wisdom on the right path. A man gets imbued
with divine qualities contemplating and meditating on this meaning of
Gayatri. One should contemplate on these feelings daily and regularly.
Aum Bhur Bhuva Svah
Tat Savitur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo Yo Naha Prachodayat
On the absolute reality and its planes,
On that finest spiritual light,
We meditate, as remover of obstacles
That it may inspire and enlighten us.
Om ~ Brahma or Almighty God
bhuh ~ embodiment of vital spiritual energy
(Pran)
bhuvah ~ destroyer of sufferings
svah ~ embodiment of happiness
tat ~ that
savituh ~ bright, luminous like the Sun
varenyam ~ best, most exalted
bhargo ~ destroyer of sins
devasya ~ divine
dhimahi ~ may imbibe
dhiyo ~ intellect
yo ~ who
nah ~ our
prachodyat ~ may inspire
Listen to Yogi Hari chant the Gayatri
Mantra
( To repeat any
mantra one should repeat it with full awareness of its meaning. )
The Maha-Mantra
Hare
Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
This
mantra is like a prayer asking God for his protection and guidance
that is why it is always chanted when the world's peace is in danger.
Chanted with call and response and beautifully arranged in different
ragas,
it gives an inspiring experience of perfection and fulfillment.
This is also a chance to erase our old inner tapes that poison our
mind
and replace them with these divine vibrations. Can also be used
as background music.
[ Pronounced
as: Hare - ( Ha'ray), Rama - (Raa'maa) & Krishna - ( Kri-Sh'-Naa)
]
'Hare Krishna' is the mantra which is known
to maximum number of western seekers
thanks to the commendable work done by
His
Divine Grace A C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad (founder of ISKON
-
(International
Society for Krishna Consciousness) in
spreading its awareness world wide.
George
Harrison, the popular singer of world famous Beatles group
also devoted his entire life in spreading the awareness about this
mantra.
"A mantra is mystical energy encased in a sound structure
and each mantra contains within its vibrations a certain power.
But of all mantras, the maha-mantra (the Hare Krishna mantra)
has been prescribed as the easiest and surest way
for attaining God Realization in this present age."
-George Harrison (1943-2001),-
in his autobiography :'I, me and Mine'
This mantra is known as the Maha-mantra
of Kailyug
(the supreme mantra of Kaliyug - the present era of machine where
truth and righteousness are at their lowest level. )
It has been said that by repeating this mantra with faith and devotion,
one can attain salvation and peace of mind.
Listen
to Yogi Hari chant the Maha
-mantra
(
To repeat any mantra one should repeat it with full awareness of
its meaning. )
|
Click
above to hear this beautiful and powerful chant
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Om
Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Krishna is also am incarnation
of Vishnu.
Krishna was in full possession of all his divine powers from birth.
He came to show humankind the rules of correct conduct,
and to teach them how to find Liberation through doing one's duty.
He symbolizes knowledge, equanimity and divine love.
This mantra is for those who have to play many
different roles in their life.
Also for those who want to experience the bliss of lover and beloved
relationship.
(
To repeat any mantra one should repeat it with full awareness of its
meaning. )
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