Mantra Meditation

The Meditation Newsletter

Mantra meditation is believed by many to eventually release a person from the compulsory round of births and deaths. A more immediate benefit is to simply calm the mind and deepen your meditation by focusing the mind. Is this is a useful way to meditate? Like all meditative techniques, it is up to you to decide for yourself.

Mantra meditation involves the concentration on and repetition of a word, phrase or sound. It can be said aloud, or repeated in your mind. The Mani mantra is perhaps the most widely used of all mantras. It started in India, and then was adopted by Buddhist north of the Himalayas. It consists of six syllables, in four words: "Om Mani Padme Hum." Often the shortened "om" is used alone.

Does Your Mantra Matter?

Does the mantra you use actually matter? Almost certainly, but there's no clear "best" mantra. In transcendental meditation, an experienced teacher usually chooses a mantra for you, but there has been research done that shows you get all the same benefits with any randomly chosen word. On the other hand, listening to heavy metal music affects the brain in differently than classical music, so it seems logical to assume that the mantra chosen could have an effect.

You should choose a mantra that is easily pronounced, so it will be comfortable to repeat. It should have no negative or distracting connotations. You could use "peace," for example, but it might be a bad idea to use "war" as a mantra. There are also personal reasons why some words may distract you, rather than help you to concentrate. Basically you want to find one that is easy to say, and generates relaxing or neutral feelings.

You may also want to experiment with different mantras for different purposes. Repeating "I am becoming the light," might give you a different experience than "om." Whole verses are often used to induce a state of loving-kindness, for example (more on that in a future issue).

Meditating With Mantras

Relax in the whatever posture has worked best for you. Breathe naturally through your nose. Try to be alert, and receptive. Close your eyes and pay attention to your breath for a couple minutes, then begin to repeat your mantra at a consistent and comfortable frequency.

A rosary or a Buddhist mala can be used to help you keep track of the repetitions, by rolling one bead through your fingers for each repeated mantra. 108 repetitions - one for each bead - is a common session. Alternately, just continue as long as you feel comfortable, but preferably for thirty minutes or more.

When your mind becomes distracted, you can increase the speed of your repetitions to bring back your focus. The process may be difficult at first, but usually gets much easier with practice. To get the most out of mantra meditation, you need to persist with it daily. Set aside a good time, perhaps right after you wake up, when you should always be able to practice.

Results Of Meditation With Mantras

Those with much practice will talk about experiences that are similar to those found with many types of meditation. Some experience a state of 'conscious sleep', a breaking away from bodily sensations and thoughts, and even a direct sensing inviting of a divine presence or deeper reality. They'll also tell you that you have to allow sufficient time to get appreciable results, but that results can manifest really fast in some cases. Give it a fair trial, in other words, if you do try it.

This question of results brings up an important issue. While it can help to learn about all the ways to meditate, in order to find the way that is right for you, there is a danger here. Experienced meditators agree that it's better to stick to a well-chosen path than to dissipate your energy by continually trying new methods. You get a deeper experience with time.

In other words, don't be "spiritual tourist," if you want deeper experiences. There is nothing wrong with tourism, but a tourist sees only appearances, while the truth is experienced by those who spend more time. Try a new method of meditation only after careful consideration, and with the intention to stay with it, if it's a path that's right for you.

Next Issue: A Guided Meditation by Avalon De Witt

Steve