Mantra Yoga

Japa Meditation: Theory

Mantra Yoga is an exact science. Mananat trayete iti Mantrah –“By

the constant thinking of Mantra one is protected and released from
the round of births and deaths.” A Mantra is so-called because it is
achieved by the mental process. The root “man” in the word Mantra
comes from “tra” from “trai” meaning “to protect or free” from the
bondage of the Phenomenal world. Mantras are Sanskrit-invocations
of the Supreme Being. Reinforced and propelled by Japa meditation,
they pass from the verbal level through the mental and telepathic
states, and on to pure thought energy. A mantra generates the
creative force and bestows eternal Bliss. A mantra when constantly
repeated awakens the consciousness. Japa Yoga.

A Mantra is a mystical energy encashed in a sound structure. Every

Mantra contains within its vibrations a certain power. Upon
concentration and repetition of given Mantra, its energy is elicited
and takes form. Japa, Mantra Yoga, is applied for specific purposes.

Each Mantra is constructed from a combination of sounds.derived

from the fifty letters of the Sanskrit alphabet. Sanskrit is also known
as Devanagari, or Language of consciousness, were well aware of the
inherent power contained in sound, and they utilized combinations of
sounds, to set up specific vibrations. These vibrations applied
systematically could literally move mountains.

The mantra is applied for certain purposes. Most specifically, they

turn the mind toward concentration on the Supreme and release
spiritual energy in the chakras of the body.

Effects of Mantra Chanting — Mantra Yoga

& Meditation
There are different types of Mantras. OM is called bija or seed
Mantras, is such that they have no exact meaning. OM is sabda
Brahman.OM or Pranava is the supreme symbol of Brahman or the
Absolute. Om is both Saguna and Nirguna. For Vedantins, OM is
Nirguna. OM consists of A, U, M and Ardhamatra- Nada, Bindu, Kala,
and Sakti. They act directly on the nadis, or nerve-tubes of the astral
body. They vibrate in the Chakras along the spine, acting as a subtle
message, releasing blockages and allowing the Kundalini energy to
flow more freely. In these, the name and form of the sound are
merged and cannot be separated. There are also Mantras that have a
meaning which can be translated. These Nirguna or abstract Mantras
also set up powerful vibrations in the body, but verbally assert union
with unmanifest pure consciousness.

More common, however, is Deity Mantra, in which a specific form

with attributes is visualized along with the repetition of the sound.
For example, a reclusive person best on destroying his negative
qualities would repeat a Siva Mantra. A family person, whose ideal
was to be a loving and responsible husband or wife, might meditate
on the name of Rama. An individual who sees God as infinite, all-
loving, and even a little playful would build these qualities in himself
by repeating a Krishna Mantra.

The mantra used by spiritual aspirants to achieve God-Realization is

called deity Mantras. They are Saguna, with qualities or form-
Producing, and aid the conceptualization process, just as do visual
symbols. In time, recitation gives rise to the actual form of the
particular deity.

As a specialized sound-body of consciousness, the Mantra is the deity

itself. The form of the deity manifests as the visible portion of the
sound. The Mantra, therefore, must be repeated in the proper way,
with attention to the syllables and rhythm. If translated, it ceases to
be Mantra because sound vibrations newly created in Translation are
no longer the body of the deity, and therefore cannot evoke it. Only
the rhythmical vibrations of the Sanskrit syllables properly recited can
regulate the unsteady vibrations of the worshipper and permit the
form of the deity to arise.

Every true Mantra fulfills six conditions.

1. It was originally revealed to a sage, who achieved Self-Realization

through it and passed it down to others. 2. It has a presiding deity
and 3. A specific meter. 4. It possesses a Bija, or Seed, investing it
with a special power that is the essence of the Mantra. 5. It also has
dynamic divine power, or Shakti.6.Lastly, there is a plug that conceals
the pure consciousness hidden in the Mantra. As soon as the plug is
removed by constant prolonged repetition, pure consciousness is
revealed, and the devotee receives the vision of his deity.
Japa is one of the most direct ways of Self-Realization, or Universal
Consciousness. It removes the dirt of mind, the anger, greed, lust and
other impurities that hide the light within. Japa produces in the mind
the form of the deity connected with the Mantra. Through constant
practice, this form becomes the center of one’s consciousness and
can be directly realized. The Mantra of the deity, therefore is the
same as the deity.

Japa Meditation is a method of channeling one’s consciousness from

the lowest to the highest level of pure thought. Repeated verbally or
mentally, a Mantra lifts one into the telepathic stage and beyond to
the transcendental. “Mantra Yoga & Meditation — “Rama,” for
instance, has a specific form that merges with the name in the
telepathic state. On the fourth level, name, form, and one’s own Self
as a witness are indistinguishable. They unite and a state of bliss
prevails. One does not enjoy bliss, but becomes Bliss itself. This is the
true experience of #Meditation. The power of sound is tremendous.
In addition to image and form, it can generate ideas, emotions, and
experiences. By merely hearing words the mind can undergo pain or
Pleasure.