Mantra

If our mind is noisy, disturbed, hypersensitive, reactive, opinionated, critical, or just constantly busy, we cannot silence it. If we are addicted to sensory sources of stimulation and entertainment, we are not even in control of our minds and so cannot focus them in for stability in meditation. First, we must set in motion forces to take the mind from its disturbed (rajasic) or dull (tamasic) state to its natural clear quality (sattva). Mantra is the practice for changing the nature of the mind from tamas and rajas to sattva. At the same time, it provides us the focus and energy for going beyond the mind. Mantras prepare the mind for deeper Yoga practices. The other branches of Yoga are (Jnana) knowledge, (Bhakti) devotion, and (Karma) Service. Mantra = Yoga. Mantra is the common link for all 8 steps of Yoga in calming the mind necessary to access the higher Self. 1.Yama,2. niyama: Non -violence and truthfulness are mantras themselves. reminding ourselves to guide our lives. 3. Asanas performed while repeating the appropriate mantras bring a greater energy and awareness into the bones, muscles, joints and nerves, and help us transcend body consciousness. The 12 names of the Sun are chanted during Surya Salutations. 4. Pranayama practiced with soham can draw deeper cosmic prana into us for increasing vitality and awareness. 5. Pratyahara is turning senses inwards with bijas to know subconscious drives. 6. Dharana is placing bija mantras in various outer locations like body parts of a deity or inner locations like the chakras. 7. Dhyana is flowing meditation on the sound or meaning of a mantra. 8. Samadhi is the state of oneness with the object of absorption and bliss. Guided meditations, sacred sounds and music and graceful dance are some of the best means. In the final stages, mantras drop away, merging into a blissful calm.

First steps. Divinity within will not allow the mind to dwell on negative thoughts and emotions, fears, desires, jealousy and hatred, or to be controlled and distracted by external influences. With the mantra, we have a tool for redirecting the energy of the mind within so that we can reclaim our inner composure. Mantras can help us break up deep-seated mental and emotional patterns, conditioning and traumas even from previous lives. In the beginning, mantras promote sattva guna to create the proper balance in the mind, removing toxins from the body, and neutralizing the residual energies of rajas and tamas or agitation and inertia from the subconscious. The second stage consists of going beyond the mind-body complex and all of its conditioning, even that of sattva guna, to pure awareness. Bhakti Yoga, the Yoga of devotion is chanting, singing the Divine mantras like Namah Sivaya or the Hare Krishna. Devotion develops into love of the divine. Jnana Yoga, the Yoga of knowledge, focuses on Self-revealing mantras like Sooo-oo-ham. Om is the mantra of Self. Karma Yoga is performance of rituals, like pujas and yajnas. Mantras empower and sanctify them. Service (seva) to others is best done repeating a mantra. Hatha Yoga uses pranic mantras like Hum to arouse the Kundalini and awaken, and heal the chakras. Kundalini or Tantra Yoga is to move energy of vibrations coherently by placing Sanskrit letters in the petals on the body. Nada Yoga Nada is the inner power behind the mantra. The outer mantra works to awaken the inner. Then the nada assumes the form of mantra, and repeats it, which is held in our inner sound current. This yoga is listening to the music within; like a bell, a drum, a flute, the ocean etc, which are in the intelligence of space. The main insight in all mantra paths is that reality consists of vibrations of energy in space and time. Consciousness spins the space, time and matter (a form of energy). It alone is the state of pure calm of unity.

Divine Feminine
We need to focus on the abundance of the universe, which is there for everyone alike. Learning to appreciate our existence unfolds the Soma of gratitude, where we realize the value of everything in the universe. Gratitude and graciousness are at the core of sacred healing. Gratitude resonates with love and compassion transforming our lives and relationships. Graciousness allows us to experience love, beauty and bliss synchronizing our gentle rhythms with our deeper consciousness. In honoring our true nature we learn to respect and cherish all life, opening up the windows of the heart to channel the nectar of divinity. Focusing the light of love on our inner world creates the space for real transformation. This inner awareness transcends our primeval impulses of conflict and assertion which contradict our true nature of peace, releasing all illusion, hurt and blame. Understanding our true nature and taking responsibility for all our actions allows us to transform the darkness of our worldly desires into the light of bliss. The enchantment of divine love and bliss is the Soma of delight. Once we appreciate and savor this Soma, which satiates our soul stirrings, we unravel the depths of a higher consciousness. This higher conscious state filters through our thoughts and actions, coloring our relationships with divine love. My own spiritual journey drew me to the auspicious circumstance of being able to lure the Mother Goddess gentle grace that can take one beyond all suffering. Her very glance annihilates all negativity and turbulence, dissolving the ultimate fear surrounding death itself. Her vision steers us through the mayhem of personal, psychological and physical

samsara (material world), paving the way for our souls liberation into timeless realms. The mysterious power of the Dark Goddess Kali became my guiding force. The Divine Feminine does not wield the forces of destruction and death against us, to chasten or correct us like a harsh teacher. Instead Kali is the benevolent savior at the very moment of misfortune, providing both compassion for our suffering and granting us the courage to overcome it. In surrendering to her benign support, she softens all pain, eventually melting it into bliss.

Connect with the Inner Soma

The Goddess force releases the Soma, the eternal nectar of immortality. She prepares our sacred vessel to receive Shivas beatitude as the healing balm of meditative stillness. Shakti initiates an inner inebriation, a subtle intoxication beyond the limitations of our dualistic thoughts and emotions. Her overwhelming state is one of passion, enthusiasm, peace, sheer delight and rejuvenation, beyond any body or personhood. The Goddess replaces the intoxication of samsara, our absorption in transient worldly pleasures, with the greater intoxicated state of nirvana, a complete immersion in eternal bliss. The Yoga Shakti does not carry the ordinary Soma or the beauty of a full Moon, but rather the mystic Soma of the dark Moon, which our hearts absorb, granting us a mysterious inner light. Her Soma is the secret light of darkness which reveals a deeper truth, the inner Sun that disperses the outer world of duality and opens us up to the inner world of unity, contentment and happiness. When this flow becomes steadfast, it manifests as dhyana, the state of

meditative bliss.Resting in this beatific state, the Yoginis mind beckons Shiva to come to her. The power and passion of her call draws Shiva into her life how can He not hearken to the cry of a Tantrikas heart? That she may not always see Him or sense His presence is another samsaric saga. Being caught up in the whirlpool of mundane existence revolving in our creaturely consciousness, we fail to see the divine that is ever around us. But Shiva will continue to play with the heart of the Yogini, enticing her into His cosmic play in His own time. To connect with this inner Soma, we can follow a simple mantra meditation. Silently repeat the mantra OM during a deep inhalation to draw the flow of Soma from the outer universe into the heart. Then silently repeat the mantra Hrim on exhalation to energize the Soma to revitalize the heart. Ending exhalation with a quick silent repetition of the mantra Hum adds zest to the fire in hastening its mystical alchemy Om Hrim Hum! Mantras carry the potency of Soma in their vibratory fields, honing the subtle nuances of our intuitive voice. In trusting our profound insight, perception and sensitivity we connect with our higher selves. Communing with this sacred voice we are guided to the ultimate truth of the souls reality. Being present and aware within our own bodies is cultivating the art of divining our inner essence. In consecrating our being through yogic practices, our bodily energies open up to their subtle essences and lead us to our deeper self where we access the revered wisdom deep within ourselves. The spiritual practice of turning within oneself, being calmly aware of our senses, thoughts and triggered reactions, allows us to connect with our deeper realities. Looking within ourselves with compassion allows us to address our internal struggles, passions and conflict with empathy. Empathizing with ourselves we bring

the flow of loving kindness to our inner beings, reflecting a benevolent approach to our personal misgivings, making us tolerant to all worldly situations.

Tantra
We have, hidden within our own deeper awareness, wonderful Gods and Goddesses in embryo who have but one intention: to bring the sacred back into our lives. Tantra expands horizons about masculine Self and feminine World into a living experience of the eternal time with infinite space.