Mantra Insights

What is it that gives mantra its ability to transform? There are several possibilities. Some believe that the mantra acts as a sort of prayer or gateway, invoking the attention or good graces of the divine presence. Like a mandala, mantras create a sort of spiritual anchor, less subject to change within a constantly changing reality. As such, the mantra serves as a vehicle to focus our conscious mind on profound Truth rather than being tossed about on the rough oceans of our normal chaotic thoughts. It is also said that the mantra functions as a form of internal subtle vibration, even when said mentally rather than aloud. The repetition of the mantra internally may create regular, wavelike neuro-chemical changes, and the vibrations themselves are believed to be tuned to specific realities and qualities which can benefit the individual. The mantra in written form is also believed by some to infuse the viewer with its vibration, and by seeing the mantra, if one connects to what it represents, one is reminded of divine presence, grace, interconnection or ultimate reality. The visual representation of the mantra is like a "sticky note" for personal transformation. It's a good way to keep one centered during a hectic day living in our current holocene mass extinction.

For those who doubt the potential power of mantra, consider the power of so called mundane words to orchestrate individual activities and produce results in the "real world." If the mantra seems too esoteric, abstract, or intangible, consider for a moment a curse word. It is just a sound, but the meaning we place upon it evokes actual physical reactions in the human body which we label as taking offense or anger, and can ruin relationships or get us fired from a job. That same curse word used in a comedy club may make us laugh and feel vindicated or perhaps make us feel embarrassed. Therefore the word itself has certain power over us, but the intention behind the word makes a huge difference as well.

Now consider attaching a word to the most sublime, beautiful, or holy states one can imagine. If one can invest a depth of truly felt meaning in the mantra that evokes these concepts, and then employ this word on a regular basis, imagine the sort of transformative power this type of word could have on you.

There is a branch of study known as cymatics, which investigates the influence sound has on matter. In the video below (which I also embedded along with others in my lens about Metatron's cube and sacred geometry) you can see that specific tones actually organize salt particles into geometric forms which resemble mandalas or crop circles. Seen through this lens, the mantra's vibration may actually have subtle effects on one's physiology, and may give some insight into the form of the mandala as a source for spiritual contemplation. Those who take this tack with mantras may find interest in saying or singing the mantras more loudly, potentially in groups, and in a more drawn out manner with focus being placed on the pure sounds and the way these sounds can be moved through the mind and body. An example of this type of chanting can be found on my lens concerning the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum.

Letting go of the meaning of the mantra and allowing it to be an emanation of pure sound is one way of transforming consciousness, allowing the mind to move beyond the abstractions of thoughts and a verbally constrained reality and into a wider field of interconnectivity.

Mantra is not simply about repetition, but also intention. If the mantra is said mechanically, it is believed that it will not have as great of an affect as if it were said with devotion or love in one's heart, or even a slight smile on one's face.

The repetition of mantra, or mantra japa, can be done completely in one's mind, or in a tone that is just barely audible. If sitting in a meditative posture, you can use a mala, essentially prayer beads, which in the Hindu tradition come in strands of 108. One grasps the beads with the thumb and index finger, "pulling them through" with the thumb one at a time for each mantra. According to tradition when one reaches the last/first bead of the strand, the guru bead, rather than continuing, the mala is flipped and you change directions.

Some people integrate mantra (without the mala) in their daily lives, doing mantra japa while on errands or during household chores. I do not recommend doing mantra while driving or operating heavy machinery.

Some spiritual centers do a sort of call and response, in which a mantra or a sacred chant is voiced by a caller and then the audience repeats it. This practice may seem strange or frightening to westerners, but it can be analogous to singing hymns in church. In this regard, it's still not for everyone, but for those who like to celebrate the divine in groups rather than always in solitude, it can be a powerful experience.

If you feel that the mantra has become an effective tool for refocusing your mind or grounding yourself, the mantra can be used in high stress times or times of crisis to calm you and reconnect you to your Higher Power.

Some believe that mantra must be given by a teacher, that the transmission of a mantra from a master has more effect than simply reading it from a page. The master may have learned that mantra from his master, and so on, and therefore the mantra has a special connection to a particular lineage and when given by that lineage, confers the deeper, nonverbal realizations, or "energetic transmission" of that lineage. You may read about people who have done mantra for years, but then receive the same mantra from a master teacher, and achieve greater results or immediate enlightenment.

This of course leaves one in the position of having to find an authentic spiritual master and devoting oneself to this individual. In this day and age, this can be quite a difficult task. There are also plenty of people out there who claim to be spiritually advanced or enlightened, who are merely taking away your time and money and power.

Therefore my suggestion is to build your own mantra practice. Your own intentions and devotions and self reflection will have great effect. Read about spiritual teachings, even meet a few teachers if you are so inclined. Realize, though, that mantras may be special in some sense, but it is up to you to infuse them with meaning so that they become effective tools for change. The tendency to make a mantra a "secret formula" which requires special devotion to a particular guru and initiation is something that if believed to be true, could potentially be used to have power over you rather than helping you to liberate yourself. Because we live in a time when people really need positive change in their life, there are unfortunately groups and cults which take advantage of this need, so use your discernment.

Aum is composed of three letters, which have significance in and of themselves. In various Hindu traditions these letters can signify the holy trinity of Brahman (as the creator), Vishnu (as the preserver) and Shiva (as the destroyer). The three letters can also signify, respectively, form or shape, formless or shapeless, and neither shape nor shapeless. The letters can indicate the multiplicity of the universe contained in the One or totality. They also have come to mean Brahma itself, the sound being undifferentiated from the totality of existence, and so by intoning Aum one unifies or becomes one with Brahma or the totality. Further, Aum is seen as the primordial sound which created or was present during the creation of the universe. Aum is truly an important sound as it has been adopted in many eastern religions including Jainism, Buddhism, and Sikhism and is an element of a number of mantras.
-Wikipedia

We already are experts at using mantras and meditation. Unfortunately the mantras that we have programmed into our minds from society concern money, getting ahead, maintaining power, and paying bills. Our fixations on the fruits of our society, our time spent in front of the television, computer, or video game screen, and the way we become addicted to unhealthy behaviors, all function as our meditation practice. We do these practices with one pointed expertise. Look at the reality we are manifesting as a result.

The good news is, we already have the ability to meditate and manifest.

Now imagine what sort of society we would live in if our humanitarian and spiritual meditations and mantras had the same sort of depth and conviction as the practices we normally engage in. This would be a profound transformation. So profound that we would experience that reality as the true reality in the same way we now experience our current one as being "just the way things are." Getting from this one to that will require individual acts of faith, self directed devotion, self reflection, and courage. We must realize at a deep level that we are here for only a short time, and when we realize it deeply, our focus and the depth of that focus will change. Perhaps mantras will assist you on that journey, or perhaps you will discover some other method which can make this process more real.

In any case, best of luck to you on your path. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti (peace peace peace).

Om Mani Padme Hum
Om Namah Shivaya
Om Klim Krishnayah Namaha
The Gayatri Mantra
Hare Krishna
So Hum
Om gate gate paragate parasumgate bodhi Swaha