Introduction to Mantra Workshop

By Helen Mikuska, SOYA, E-RYT500, IYTA, Yoga Therapist, Mantra Teacher

Acknowledgements to my Guru, Namadeva Acharya (Thomas Ashley-Farrand), who has inspired me along this Bhakti path. Aham Prema

Introduction to Mantra
Mantras are energy-based sounds and create thought-energy waves. Mantras are tools of power and tools for power. Sanskrit mantras are composed of letters, which correspond to certain petals, spokes or chakras in the subtle body. Mantra energizes prana (life force) and eventually quiets the mind. Sound, originating as a vibration, not only shapes our individual consciousness, but is said to be the creative force underlying the evolution of the entire universe. It is this creative power of sound that is the basis of mantra yoga, the path to enlightenment through mantra repetition. Mantra, meaning an instrument for thinking, is a tool used to transform the mind. In practice, a mantra is a sacred sound, word or phrase that can be chanted aloud, recited quietly or repeated mentally. Although it is physically expressed as a sound, the real essence of a mantra is the soundless vibration of the divine energy embedded within it. A mantra works by focusing the mind and drawing the attention inwards, leading to progressively higher and more subtle levels of consciousness. Five Categories of Mantra: 1. Mantra Yoga Chanting. 2. Vaikhari Japa Talking. 3. Upamsu Japa Whispering or Humming. 4. Manasika Japa Internal; most meaningful. 5. Likhita Japa Written.
My cosmic and all-pervasive form is invisible to your ordinary eyes. Therefore I grant you the divine eye ~ intuitive vision ~ so you may behold my yogic and godly glory. Bhagavad Gita 11:8

Chanting a mantra with devotion and concentration attunes the individual through divine melody and has a harmonious influence over the whole body and mind. It produces a series of psychological and spiritual effects. The concentration brings a deep sense of peace and joy. Through constant repetition of the mantra one becomes like a magnet attracting the spiritual power of the mantra to oneself and becoming aware of the Self. This repetition gradually awakens the high facilities in a person and raises the consciousness toward the level of the mantric resonance. Through the practice of mantra and japa yoga you will find yourself in direct confrontation with the lower self, the ego or body-mind. To overcome the ego one must practice surrender. One must be able to surrender to the mantra itself and to the energy of the mantra. This requires purification. If you cannot surrender, the energy will feed the ego. Learning to surrender to the mantra and to the energy of the mantra puts in motion the process of purification of the self, facing up to and eliminating selfishness, self-glorification, selfjustification and self-gratification. Allow the mantra to flow with the breath and as you continue to repeat it, bring your awareness to the sound of the syllables and immerse yourself in them. Just keep returning to the mantra, feeling yourself surrounded by the field of force created by the energy of the mantras sound vibrations. Mala: The number 108 is a holy number. 1 means one line, symbolizing God, the Supreme Energy, the power from which all other lines, circles or movements come. 0 is completeness, a circle representing Gods creation as complete and perfect. 8, as the sign of eternity, brings in the time element, for creation goes on eternally. Time can be stretched or compressed. This understanding comes only through practice. The beads of the mala are also an endless chain and with each bead the endless thoughts are given a specified, significant meaning relating to the particular mantra.

There is a special bead called Mount Meru, which should not be passed over but the mala turned and the movement continued the other way. This bead symbolizes God-Realization and each time you reach it you have a reminder that you do not have to continue the chain of cause and effect (cycle of reincarnation). Another reminder is given in holding the mala at heart level, signifying the devotional aspect of this practice, the attempt to transcend the lower levels of being. The mala should be worn around the neck with Mount Meru in front. Wearing the mala reminds you of your purposes in life, to realize God, the Self, because you feel it when you move in all your daily activities. Place it under your pillow or on your altar at night. The Sacred Syllable OM The essence of all beings is the earth. The essence of the earth is water. The essence of water is the plant. The essence of the plant is man. The essence of man is speech. The essence of speech is the Rigveda. The essence of Rigveda is the Samveda. The essence of Samveda is OM.

AUM must be chanted in three parts, with equal emphasis given to each part: Ahh is chanted in the region of the navel. Ohh in the sternum. Mmm in the throat.

1. Om Eim Saraswatyei Swaha

Pronounced: Om Im Sar-Rah-Swah-Tee-Yei Swah-ha

Om and salutations to the Great Feminine. Her mantras are chanted for proficiency in the arts, sciences, spiritual pursuits, education of all types, music and the power of Divine Speech. Salutations to the empowerer of speech. May that principle guide my pronunciation of mantras.

2. Om Guru Om

Pronounced: Om Goo-roo Om
Mantra intended to begin to awaken to the consciousness of the mind, the upaguru principle within. It will take one to the Sahasrara chakra. By sending down its vibration to the base of the spine, the kundalini is stimulated in such a way that it releases energy that moves into the ego, inspiring and motivating us to become seekers.

3. Om Gum Ganapatayei Swaha

Pronounced: Om Guhm Guh-nuh-puh-tuh-yea Swah-ha

Salutations to Ganesha, he who removes all obstacles. This is a Ganesha mantra. Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed God of the Hindus and Ganesha is considered to be bountiful and eternal. He is the endower of joy, the God of knowledge, wisdom and success. This mantra has proved invaluable in removing unseen obstacles, which seem to be standing in the way of progress or achievement, either specifically or generally. Many people have had success in turning things around in their life by using this mantra.

4. Om Sri Maha Lakshmiyei Swaha

Pronounced: Om Shree Mah-ha Laksh-Mee-Yei Swah-ha

Om and salutations. I invoke the Great Feminine Principle of Great Abundance. This mantra will focus on the kind of wealth you wish to manifest in your life. This mantra invokes the abundance of the universe of which healing is a part. Lakshmi is the anthropomorphized feminine principle that represents all kinds of abdundance.

5. Om Dum Durgayei Namaha

Pronounced: Om Doom Door-Guy-Yei Nah-mah-Hah

Om and salutations to that feminine energy which protects from all manner of negative influences. Chanted for protection from negativities that occur in every day life. She also points the way to liberation.

6. Om Eim Hrim Klim Chamundayei Vicche Namaha

Pronounced: Om Im Hreem Kleem Chah-moon-dah-yea Vee-chei Nah-mah-hah

Om and salutations to she who is radiant with power and wisdom. Chamundi is the great feminine force combined from 30 of the most powerful celestials. This mantra has the effect of bringing joy and confidence even while trying conditions are mitigated.

7. Om Klim Kalikayei Namaha

Pronounced: Om Kleem Kah-lee-kah-yea Nah-mah-hah

Om and salutations. I attract she who is dark and powerful. Kali is compassionate beyond measure. Kali will work toward whatever is absolutely in your best interest, regardless of how it impacts your ego and whether you like it at the time or not.

8. Om Karuna Rasa Sagara-yei Namaha

Pronounced: Om Kah-roo-NAH Rah-sah Sah-gah-rah-YAY Nah-mah-hah

Om and salutations to Her who is a sea of nectarlike compassion. Compassion is known as karuna in Sanskrit. To increase your natural capacity for compassion, chant the mantra to Lalita, the Hindu goddess of a thousand powers.

9. Om Tare Tuttare Ture Swaha

Pronounced: Om Tah-Reh Too-Tah-Reh Too-Reh Swah-ha

Om and salutations. May the Mother of All guard and protect me and fulfill my needs. Tara is the Universal Mother as she is not just restricted to Tibet or Buddhist teachings, but found worldwide.

10.

Namo Kuan Shi Yin Pu Sa

Pronounced: Nah-moh Kwahn Shee Yin Poo Sah

"Salutations to the most compassionate and merciful Bodhisattva Kuan Yin." Kuan Yin is the embodiment of compassion and the female Bodhisattva (also know as Quan Shi Yin and Kwan Yin). Quan means to inquire or look deeply into, Shi means the world of people, or generations, Yin means cries. Kuan Yin is considered to be the feminine form of Avalokitesvara (Sanskrit), the bodhisattva of compassion of Indian Buddhism whose worship was introduced into China in the third century. In its proper form it is Kuanshih Yin, which means "She who harkens to the cries of the world."

11.

Om Radha Krishnaya Namaha

Pronounced: Om Rahd-hah Krish-nah-yah Nah-mah-hah

Om and salutations to that single being of Love, manifesting as the lovers Radha and Krishna. For building a soaring conjugal love on the earth plane. This mantra works powerfully in relationships where there is genuine commitment between the two people.

12.

Om Brahma Jnanayei Namaha

Pronounced: Om Brah-mah Jnah-nah-yea Nah-mah-hah

Om and salutations to the power of that self-aware intelligence that pervades the universe. Saraswati is the power behind this intelligence. Increases the capacity of the brain to hold and consider great ideas.

13.

Om Namah Shivaya

Pronounced: Om Nah-Mah Shee-Vah-Yah

Om and salutations to that which I am capable of becoming. May the elements and consciousness of this creation abide in me in perfect manifestation. Will start one on the path of subtle development of spiritual attainments. Na Screening power of Shiva that makes or allows the soul to move in the world. Ma Bond that binds the soul to the samsarick wheel of birth and death. Shi Stands for Shiva himself. / Va Stands for Shivas grace. / Ya Stands for soul that receives the grace.

14.

Om Ram Ramaya Swaha

Pronounced: Om Ram Ra-Ma-yah Swah-ha

Om and salutations to that perfection in the physical realm that was Rama, whose attributes exist in me also. Kindly manifest. This short healing mantra can relieve pain and ease suffering.

15.

Om Sri Hanumate Phat

Pronounced: Om Shree Hah-noo-mah-teh phut

This Hanuman Mantra asks the prana to eject any negative influences found in the aura.

16.

Om Hum So Hum

Pronounced: Om Huhm Soh Huhm

Mantra concerned with energy, breath and the placement of consciousness. It balances masculine and feminine energies and focuses their combined force.

17.

Om Namo Narayanaya

Pronounced: Om Nah-Moh Nah-Rah-Yah-Nay-Yah

Om is the Name of Narayana, the flame of truth. The flame is in the Hrit Padma; a chakra located two fingers below the heart centre. In this secret chakra, Narayana sits as a pure white flame that exists in, but is not part of this world. It is called the supreme soul of all. This is that piece of us which is ever united with the Supreme Reality. If the devotion of the seeker is intense and pure, the flame of Narayana will manifest the object of that devotion (appearance of the divine beloved).

18. Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya Pronounced: Om Nah-mo Bhah-gah-vah-teh Vah-soo-day-vah-yah

Om is the name of the Indweller in me that is ever in unity with all of creation. Kindly reveal your truth to me. Ticket out mantra; prolonged use will eventually free one from the round of rebirth and therefore make continuing trips to this planet for the purpose of paying off karma, unnecessary. Known as a Mukti or liberation mantra.

Om = Seed sound 6th chakra, where the feminine and masculine currents meet. Om is the name of the state of existence in which the individual Indweller (jiva, atman or soul) has united with the all-pervading divine substance, the spirit of God. Namo = means name of. Bhagavate = is a specific individual who is now born or an already spiritually developed soul. One offers to bring such a soul into physical-place embodiment. Vasudevaya = is the Indweller. The divine substance, giver of all, knower of all, apart but not separate from the divine substance everywhere.

19.

Sat Chid Ekam Brahma

Pronounced: Saht Cheed Eh-kahm Brah-mah

Mantra for Brahma, the Creator to achieve understanding of the mysteries of the form of creation. The secrets of the universe will become assessable to you. Sat = Truth. Chid = Spiritual mind-stuff. Ekam = Solitary and unitary, as in, one, without a second. Brahma = The mind inherent of all parts and manifestations of the created universe. This entire cosmos, with all of its contents.

20. Om Mani Padme Hum

Pronounced: Om Mah-Nee Pahd-May Hoom

Om, salutations to The Jewel of Consciousness (the mind) which has reached the Hearts Lotus. When the mind and heart become united, anything is possible. Pre-eminent in producing a state of dynamic compassion in the sayer ~ compassion contains as part of it the ability to powerfully manifest in both subtle and obvious ways.

21. Om Shrim Shriyei Swaha Pronounced: Om Shreem Shree-yei

Swah-hah

Om and salutations to the creative abundance that is the very form of this universe. This mantra invokes the energy of the Great Feminine which produces abundance of every kind including showing paths to renewed good health. This mantra is the Sri Chakra, a design of 9 interlocking triangles {4 point upward ~ Chitta (raw mind stuff), Manas (mind), Buddhi (intellect) and Ahamkara (ego born of mind)}, {5 point downward ~ Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Ether}, {3 items at centre of diagram ~ Bindhu (individual self), Nada (principle of sound) and Kala (light rays/ which define time).

22.

Aham Prema

Pronounced: Ah-Hum PREH-Mah

I am Divine Love. There is no power like love. There is no transforming energy equal to love. Love is based on unity, involves understanding, is an expression of selflessness, is transcendental, means service and can be a gift from God. In Love, the means and the ends are one and the same. The search for Love is the end of all meaning. Love is our birthplace, our final refuge and our reason for being.

22. Om Shanti Om Pronounced: Om Shahn-Tee Om

Om, Dynamic Peace, Om. This mantra invokes peace of mind.