Mantra Meditation

What is a Mantra?
Mantra is defined as a kind of verbal formula which is often considered sacred and is used in meditation or prayer as a means to quite and balance the mind. The word ‘mantra’ is originally a Sanskrit word that literally means “mind-protection”. In ancient times, the Guru or Master used to hand down a “mantra” to his disciple. The disciple was required to repeat the mantra over and over again and this process was known as “japa” or chant. This technique is popular even today, though not necessarily as an invocation to God or as part of any ritual, but as a means of achieving relaxation and calm.

How is a Mantra Created?
A Mantra is essentially a combination of various sounds and syllables that are proven to have a calming effect on human mind. One of the most popular mantras is the mantra “AUM”. This mantra is a combination of sounds that is divided in three parts - the beginning, the peak and the end. This was derived after a lot of research undertaken by ancient meditators or seekers who were in search of enlightenment.

How Mantra Works
Mantra works on the principle of replacing all other thoughts in the mind. The human mind process innumerable thoughts and each one of them drain a certain amount of energy. Further energy is lost jumping from one thought to another and dealing with the emotion invoked by each thought. A mantra simply replaces all these thoughts creating a kind of resonance in the mind which become amplified with very chant. When all the thoughts have died down, then only the mantra is left reverberating in the mind, spreading the feeling that was invoked through it such as revitalization, relaxation, peace or calmness.

As you practice the mantra more and more, the mind associates it with a calm meditative state. This association allows you to summon the calmness that you had felt while meditating during stressful situations in life.

What is Your Mantra?
It is not necessary to use AUM or any other popular mantra for meditation. However, people choose these words they are free from any other meaning as they not used generally in everyday speak. To choose a mantra for yourself you can create any soft sound that calms or you can choose words that are able to reflect the calmness in you. ‘Peace’ is one such word that can help establish a sense of tranquility within.

It is advisable for beginners to start Mantra Meditation by sitting in a comfortable posture and choosing a place where there is no disturbance. However, sitting cross-legged is recommended as it does not tire you and at the same time prevents you from going to sleep, which is quite possible while lying down. Also, an erect posture helps the mantra reverberate though all the chakras and hit the center positively.

Mantras are words of power that have the capacity to enhance and empower the intellect, making us wiser, more sensitive and peaceful. The sense of being “settled down” then reflects in the way one leads his/her life.