Mauna and Higher Yoga Practices

Mantra works best if it is chanted in a state of silence of mind or inner Mauna. Conversely,
mantra aids in developing silence of mind. The sadhaka should take the mantra from the
spoken state, to a state of gentle resonance and repetition along with the breath, to a silent
repetition by the mind, and ultimately to a vibration of silent awareness.

The Divine Word and cosmic mantras starting with OM and HREEM are the sounds of
silence that we can only enter into with a silent mind and receptive heart. Cosmic mantric
vibrations are the sounds of universal space, in which there is no friction or noise. This is the
space of consciousness, Chidakasha. Entering into that all limitations of time, place and
person disappear.

As such, Mauna is the foundation for Dharana or concentration. If we don’t have silence of
speech and mind, how can we concentrate our attention, or fix our gaze within.

Mauna is the basis for Dhyana or meditation because silence of speech and mind is the basis
for holding the reflective state of meditation in which the mind becomes still like a mirror.
Meditation on silence and silent meditation go together and give us inner peace.

Mauna is the basis of Samadhi, the unitary state of pure consciousness, which literally takes
away our speech, mind and breath that are interconnected. If we are not made silent in speech
and mind, we are not in samadhi.