The Secret of Mantra Chanting

Mantras - Sound vibrations that permeate every cell of your being and allow your mind to dissolve and repose. But what are they? What do they mean? Where did they come from? There are so many questions surrounding these ancient syllables. Speaking about Mantras is the revelation of ancient secrets that have been kept sacred from several ages, secrets that continue to benefit humanity irrespective of its circumstances.

What are Mantras?

Mantras are impulses or rhythms of the consciousness. They create vibrations in the spirit. Their effects, influence, method and mode of working are all a mystery.

In Sanskrit, it is said, Manana trayate iti mantra.Mantra is that which saves you from repetitiveness. A repetitive thought is a worry. Mantras help to free you from your worries. Often we wonder why we chant some sounds without understanding their meanings? Can something beyond our understanding help us?

The meaning of every mantra is infinity. It is a sound vibration beyond the cognition of the mind. When the mind is unable to cognize, it simply dissolves and moves into a meditative space.

How Mantras affect the mind?

The mantra is like a seed. Every seed has the potential to become a tree. Similarly, these sound vibrations contain all the possibilities of creation. Some mantras are in the seed form, called the bija mantras. Others are fully expressed, i.e, the fruit of the mantra is also expressed, such as the Gayatri mantra.

Mantras are a secret. That which is kept a secret alerts the sub-conscious mind. The mantras work at the level of the consciousness. When we want a seed to sprout, it needs to be sown into the soil, hidden, a secret. If it is simply thrown around, birds may eat them up. We can read and learn about mantras and their uses from books and the internet but that will only satisfy the intellect and not translate into experience.

Mantra and Meditation

When we chant the mantras, or listen to them, we get purity of mind and word. This prepares us for meditation. As a result of the sound vibrations, different patterns of the mind re-arrange themselves to become tranquil. Agitation is reduced, helping us to turn inward. For instance, when we laugh, our happiness increases. When we cry, the heaviness of our sorrow is released. Just the sounds of laughter and crying have helped. Mantras act in a similar manner. Repetition of the Mantras creates a psychological or mental response that is very deep and beyond the realm of words or expression. It can only be experienced. Speech falls short as it cannot go beyond the expression level into the experiential level.

When the mind is calm and centered, it can turn inward. Only a mind turned inward can experience the vastness and beauty of the Divine consciousness. When our focus is outward on the objects of the senses, our mind is scattered and racing behind one craving or another. Physical senses seek to know all about the external universe. Meditation is the tool for inner exploration.

Antarmukhi Sada Sukhi – one whose mind is turned inward is ever in bliss. Mantras are the tools which allow the mind to dissolve and repose in the Self.

Why should we repose in the Self? How is this going to help in our day-today life?

When the river is calm, the reflection is clearer. When the mind is calm, there is greater clarity in the field of expression. Our sense of observation, perception and expression improve. As a result we are able to communicate effectively and clearly.

Most of our problems or misunderstandings arise because of a lack of proper communication. When our mind is free from agitation, the way we interact and communicate is so much more pleasant and effective. Our efforts are not hindered by rifts caused due to communication gaps. This leads to a lot of positivity in our outlook and progress in life.

Mantras are as subtle as the air which creates ripples in the water as it gently moves over it. Air is all-pervading and at the same time affects specific regions. The field of the mantras is also such. It is all –pervading and also creates an impact on the one who is practicing.

By Bhanumathi Narasimhan

Navratri - A Journey to Source

                         The festival of Navratri is celebrated with prayers and gaiety in the beginning of the Ashwin (autumn) and the beginning of Chatira (spring). This period is a time for self-referral and getting back to the Source. During this time of transformation, nature sheds the old and gets rejuvenated; animals hibernate and life emerges back afresh in the spring.

              According to Vedic sciences, matter reverts to its original form to recreate itself again and again. The creation is cyclical, not linear; everything is recycled by nature - a continuous process of rejuvenation. The human mind, however, lags behind in this routine cycle of creation. Navratri is a festival for one to take the mind back to its Source.

                  The Mother Divine is recognized not just as the brilliance of intellect (buddhi), but also the confusion (bhranti); she is not just abundance (lakshmi), she is also hunger (shudha) and thirst (trishna). Realizing this aspect of the Mother Divine in the entire creation, leads one to a deep state of Samadhi. This gives an answer to the age-old theological struggle of the Occident. Through wisdom, devotion and nishkama karma, one can attain advaita siddhi or perfection in the non-dual consciousness.

Kali is the most horrific manifestation of Nature. Nature symbolizes beauty, yet it has a horrific form. Acknowledging the duality brings a total acceptance in the mind and puts the mind at ease.

Though Navratri is celebrated as the victory of good over evil, the actual fight is not between good and evil. From the Vedantic point of view, the victory is of the absolute reality over the apparent duality. In the words of Ashtavakra, it is the poor wave which tries to keep its identity separate from the ocean, but to no avail.

The three primordial gunas are considered as the feminine force of our magnificent universe. By worshiping the Mother Divine during Navratri, we harmonize the three gunas and elevate sattva in the atmosphere.

The inward journey nullifies our negative karmas. Navratri is a celebration of the spirit or prana which alone can destroy mahishasura (inertia), shumbha-nishumbha (pride and shame) and madhu-kaitabh (extreme forms of craving and aversion). They are completely opposites, yet complementary. Inertia, deeply ingrained negativities and obsessions (raktabeejasura), unreasonable logics (chanda-munda) and blurred vision (dhoomralochan) can be overcome only by raising the level of prana and shakti, the life-force energy.

                   The seeker gets back to the true Source through fasting, prayer, silence and meditation. Night is also called ratri because it brings rejuvenation. It gives relief at the three levels of our existence – physical, subtle and causal. While fasting detoxifies the body, silence purifies the speech and brings rest to the chattering mind, and meditation takes one deep into one's own being.

                    The nine days of Navratri are also an opportunity to rejoice in the three primordial qualities that make up the universe. Though our life is governed by the three gunas, we seldom recognize and reflect on them. The first three days of Navratri are attributed to tamo guna, the next three days to rajo guna and the last three days to sattva guna. Our consciousness sails through the tamo and rajo gunas and blossoms in the sattva guna of the last three days. Whenever sattva dominates in life, victory follows. The essence of this knowledge is honored by celebrating the tenth day as Vijaydashmi.

Though the microcosm is very well within the macrocosm, it’s perceived separateness is the cause of conflict. For a gyani (wise), the entire creation becomes alive and he recognizes life in everything in the same way children see life in everything. The Mother Divine or the Pure Consciousness itself pervades all the forms and has all the names. Recognizing the one Divinity in every form and every name is the celebration of Navratri. Hence, special pujas honoring all aspects of life and nature are performed during the last three days.

                         

Sri Sri explains the significance of yagyas (pujas) performed during the ongoing festival of Navratri. There are three levels of existence - Outer world, subtle world of different energies and Divinity or God. All the yagnas being performed here aim to achieve both spiritual and material benefits. When you go deep inside yourself, from where everything has come from, you experience the Supreme Peace. Only when you are in deep meditation, these mantras have effect. These are very powerful and beautiful and enrich the subtle creation. We are so fortunate to be able to be a part of this.

There are pundits from all Vedas, and they will chant mantras. It is happening from thousands of years. These are done to benefit the whole world. We have gathered here as one body, one mind and one spirit, totally immersed in what is happening. Even if we don’t know the meaning, we know these are doing something good at subtle levels of our life, and for the whole mankind.

The intellect may not understand but the subtle body understands the depth. And the vibrations that are produced are doing good to all the subtle layers of existence. This energy creates benevolence, benefits the whole mankind, washes away our bad karma, promotes harmony in the world and desires get fulfilled. Desires get fulfilled when there is strength in the subtle. These bring us close to self- realization and also to achieve success in the world.

As one body, one mind, established in the Ultimate Truth, fulfilling your worldly duties and relax in the depth of peace. Immerse in this love and devotion with the feeling that everything is happening well, everything is being done for you. Like corn – when it is little warmed, it becomes pop-corn. In the same way, consciousness is all Divinity, and with the chanting of mantras, it blossoms and manifests. This is a beautiful occasion for letting the consciousness to blossom. Om Shanti! (Let there be peace)

Fasting during Navratri

Fasting – A Feast for Body, Mind, and Soul

                                                      Fasting is indeed a denial of the physical needs of the body and the emotional cravings of the mind. The tendency of the human mind is to draw patterns and get stuck to patterns. While following a pattern is a sign of self-discipline, it has its downside too. When it involves food and eating, it often makes us forget that we ought to be eating to live and not the other way around. The body needs only so much for sustenance and the stomach can hold only so much, but the senses continue to crave, and we continue to feed those cravings. So, fasting is a gift to an over-burdened body and an over-indulged mind. It gives a chance to the body and mind to break out of a pattern and give it a new 


Fasting the Ayurvedic Way

                                                 The ancient science of Ayurveda has spoken elaborately of the merits of fasting. According to this ancient discipline, fasting is an effective way to kindle the digestive fire and burn away accumulated toxins from the body and mind. It also eliminates gas, lightens the body, improves mental clarity, provides a clean tongue and fresh breath, and preserves overall health. However, it also does not recommend infrequent and long term fasting, that could deplete bodily tissues and create imbalance to the constitution. It favors regular and short term fasting, which could be on the same day each week or setting aside a few days each month, all depending on individual constitutions and cleansing requirements.

Benefits of Fasting the Ayurvedic Way

There is an increasing support for fasting by the scientific community. There is an over consumption of salt in our diets today than the normal requirements of the body. This can be seen in the increased incidence of water retention in the body, a major factor for hypertension and cardiovascular problems. Fasting helps the body “desalt”.

Fasting, done properly, has another major advantage. It is a kind of ritual that can purify the body and mind and develop the pure qualities of detachment and equanimity. Whether it is done as a part of a religious sacrament or a part of a penance or as a mark of worship, fasting can only give benefits. Fasting helps create an attunement with the Absolute by establishing a harmonious relationship between the body and the soul. It nourishes the physical and spiritual demands so necessary for overall health.

Norms to Observe Fasting

However, fasting also has to be undertaken with an enormous sense of responsibility. There are, of course, norms as to who should and should not be observing fast. The very young, the old and infirm, pregnant and nursing mothers should be extremely cautious when it comes to choosing to fast. Besides these norms, it is also important how fasting should be observed so that we are able to take away the most from the practice.

Tips for First-time Fasters

 

 

A cardinal rule, toabsorb all
the ‘prana’ (life-force energy)
from the foods, is to drink fluids very slowly.

 

 

 

Just as there is a yogic way of eating, there is a yogic way of fasting. For many, fasting is a new and, hence, a very challenging exercise. It is best that the new initiates start with a single-day fasting just to test the waters. If they are used to three meals a day, they could start with one meal of grains and vegetables during lunch and then just restrict themselves to water and juices during the rest of the day. It’s also important that those who want to fast choose the kind of fast – it could be a water fast, a fruit juice fast, or a vegetable juice fast. But to avoid dehydration, one should consume at least 7 to 8 glasses of fluids every day. A cardinal rule, to absorb all the “prana” (life-force energy) from the foods, is to drink fluids very slowly.

Fasting will be most beneficial if the food consumed is of the smallest quantity that the body just about needs and not a grain more. In fact, a few grains lesser, is highly recommended. Foods must be light and easily digestible. Fruits and nuts are ideal for the system during long fasting periods. Juices that are fresh and sugar free along with plenty of water is extremely important to prevent dehydration and constipation. It is advisable to consume simple carbs and easily digestible proteins like vegetable proteins, which are easy to break down by a slow-functioning metabolism. This will keep the mind light and easy and enable better quality of prayer. After 21 days of fasting, which Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi called “21 days of uninterrupted prayer”, he said, “There is no prayer without fasting”.

Yoga Asanas and Meditation Help During Fasts

For many, fasting brings about a psychological tiredness and reluctance to engage in any form of exercise. This is not a desirable attitude. Mild exercise is crucial during fasting. Gentle, flowing, meditative and ballet-like movements of yoga are ideal during fasting. Yoga has the proclivity to enhance the physical process of detoxing whilst also working on the mental and spiritual levels. Apart from rectifying physical, physiological and psychological disorders, yogic stretches, bends, twists and gentle inversions cleanses and rejuvenates the body, purges toxins and negativity caused by an irregular life style, and connects us back to our Self. The ability of yoga to activate the parasympathetic system through the asanas, accompanied by deep breathing and deep relaxation, helps to shift the stressed out autonomic nervous system into a state of calm, restorative, and healing mode.

During auspicious occasions, let’s observe fasting from a space of awareness, joy and giving and incorporate light exercise, yoga, and meditation everyday and enjoy its merits.

Lord Ganesha: his birth story, symbolism meaning and practice

The birth of Ganesha

One day Goddess Parvati was at home on Mt.Kailash preparing for a bath. As she didn’t want to be disturbed, she told Nandi, her husband Shiva’s Bull, to guard the door and let no one pass. Nandi faithfully took his post, intending to carry out Parvati’s wishes. But, when Shiva came home and naturally wanted to come inside, Nandi had to let him pass, being loyal first to Shiva. Parvati was angry at this slight, but even more than this, at the fact that she had no one as loyal to Herself as Nandi was to Shiva. So, taking the turmeric paste (for bathing) from her body and breathing life into it, she created Ganesha, declaring him to be her own loyal son.

The next time Parvati wished to bathe, she posted Ganesha on guard duty at the door. In due course, Shiva came home, only to find this strange boy telling him he couldn’t enter his own house! Furious, Shiva ordered his army to destroy the boy, but they all failed! Such power did Ganesha possess, being the son of Devi Herself!

This surprised Shiva. Seeing that this was no ordinary boy, the usually peaceful Shiva decided he would have to fight him, and in his divine fury severed Ganesha’s head, killing him instantly. When Parvati learned of this, she was so enraged and insulted that she decided to destroy the entire Creation! Lord Brahma, being the Creator, naturally had his issues with this, and pleaded that she reconsider her drastic plan. She said she would, but only if two conditions were met: one, that Ganesha be brought back to life, and two, that he be forever worshipped before all the other gods.

Shiva, having cooled down by this time, and realizing his mistake, agreed to Parvati’s conditions. He sent Brahma out with orders to bring back the head of the first creature he crosses that is laying with its head facing North. Brahma soon returned with the head of a strong and powerful elephant, which Shiva placed onto Ganesha’s body. Breathing new life into him, he declared Ganesha to be his own son as well, and gave him the status of being foremost among the gods, and leader of all the ganas (classes of beings), Ganapati.

Meaning of the story of  Ganesh

At first glance, this story just seems like a nice tale that we might tell our children, or a myth without any real substance. But, it’s true mystical meaning is veiled. It is explained thus:

Parvati is a form of Devi, the Parashakti (Supreme Energy). In the human body She resides in the Muladhara chakra as the Kundalini shakti. It is said that when we purify ourselves, ridding ourselves of the impurities that bind us, then the Lord automatically comes. This is why Shiva, the Supreme Lord, came unannounced as Parvati was bathing.

Nandi, Shiva’s bull, who Parvati first sent to guard the door represents the divine temperment. Nandi is so devoted to Shiva that his every thought is directed to Him, and he is able to easily recognize the Lord when He arrives. This shows that the attitude of the spiritual aspirant is what gains access to Devi’s (the kundalini shakti’s) abode. One must first develop this attitude of the devotee before hoping to become qualified for the highest treasure of spiritual attainment, which Devi alone grants.

After Nandi permitted Shiva to enter, Parvati took the turmeric paste from Her own body, and with it created Ganesha.. Yellow is the color associated with the Muladhara chakra, where the kundalini resides, and Ganesha is the deity who guards this chakra. Devi needed to create Ganesha, who represents the earthbound awareness, as a shield to protect the divine secret from unripe minds. It is when this awareness begins to turn away from things of the world, and toward the Divine, as Nandi had, that the great secret is revealed.

Shiva is the Lord and Supreme Teacher. Ganesha here represents the ego-bound Jiva. When the Lord comes, the Jiva, surrounded as it is with the murky cloud of ego, usually doesn’t recognize Him, and maybe even ends up arguing or fighting with Him! Therefore, it is the duty of the Lord, in the form of the Guru, to cut off the head of our ego! So powerful is this ego however, that at first the Guru’s instructions may not work, as Shiva’s armies failed to subdue Ganesha. It often requires a tougher approach, but, eventually the compassionate Guru, in His wisdom finds a way.

Devi threatened to destroy the whole Creation after learning of Ganesha’s demise. This indicates that when the ego thus dies, the liberated Jiva loses interest in its temporary physical vehicle, the body, and begins to merge into the Supreme. The physical world is here represented by Devi. This impermanent and changeable creation is a form of Devi, to which this body belongs; the unchanging Absolute is Shiva, to which belongs the Soul. When the ego dies, the external world, which depends on the ego for its existence, disappears along with it. It is said that if we want to know the secrets of this world, which is a manifestation of Devi, then we must first receive the blessings of Ganesha.

Shiva restoring life to Ganesha, and replacing his head with an elephant’s, means that before we can leave the body, the Lord first replaces our small ego with a “big”, or universal ego. This doesn’t mean that we become more egoistic. On the contrary, we no longer identify with the limited individual self, but rather with the large universal Self. In this way, our life is renewed, becoming one that can truly benefit Creation. It is however only a functional ego, like the one Krishna and Buddha kept. It is like a thin string tying the liberated Consciousness to our world, solely for our benefit.

Ganesha is given dominion over the Ganas, which is a general term denoting all classes of beings, ranging from insects, animals and humans to the subtle and celestial beings. These various beings all contribute to the government of the Creation; everything from natural forces like storms and earthquakes, to the elemental qualities like fire and water, to functioning of the body’s organs and processes. If we don’t honor the Ganas, then our every action is a form of thievery, as it is unsanctioned. Therefore, instead of propitiating each Gana in order to receive their blessings, we bow to their Lord, Sri Ganesha. By receiving His grace, we receive the grace of all. He removes any potential obstacles and enables our endeavors to succeed.

Such is the greatness of Sri Ganesha! Jai Ganesha!

The Power of the Mantra.

The most potent blessing we could ever receive from a sage, a yogi or any enlightened master is to receive the uplifting, igniting grace of our own consciousness.

Traditionally, in India, the method of conveying awakening consciousness is especially through mantra (Sanskrit and Tamil along the lines of liberating consciousness, a word or sound repeated to aid in meditation). In the mystical yogic tradition of the South Indian Siddhars, there is less emphasis in teachings through writings or even oral teachings and much of the wisdom is conveyed through the mantra energy that awakens the inner knowledge.

Mantra recitation can be said to be the mother of meditation. With the recitation of a mantra, the mind immediately focuses on a single thought leading to transcendence (awareness beyond the mind). By reciting the mantra, effortless meditation is enhanced even while doing mundane chores.

When we meet a higher conscious being in the form of a saint, yogi, or even disguised in the ordinary like a taxi driver, we know that we are uplifted by the words, action or simply the mere presence of that person.

Higher conscious beings flow with a vibration of peace and harmony. It is said that when Buddha would walk from place to place, crisscrossing each village and town, his presence was felt by people over 10 miles around him. On feeling his presence as peace, love and calm, thousands would gather near Buddha to experience more of this vibrancy.

There are many scientific studies on meditation that have proven that meditation gives more benefits to society than merely inner peace for the meditator. The effect of mass meditation has been noted to effect surrounding areas by a significant drop in crime rate.

When the founder of Transcendental Meditation, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, conducted a group meditation with hundreds of people, the crime rate in the surrounding area was notably decreased. This energy field produced by meditation has, for a long time, been referred to by yogis as consciousness.

Sages, yogis and masters of higher consciousness in India have for thousands of years imparted consciousness through the mantra.

The secrets of power within the mantras are:

1. Mantras serve as a bridge of consciousness.

When receiving the mantra from a guru, understand the significance of this to be an initiation in which we are forever connected in consciousness with the guru. By reciting the mantra, the seeker is able to climb above states of consciousness and become the master.

Every time we chant our mantra, we are invoking the presence of our guru. An enlightened master’s presence in our lives is protecting, nurturing and guiding. Gradually, our own consciousness becomes the presence of the master.

2. Mantra chants create the specific realities we desire.

Each mantra holds a specific dimension of reality. For instance, when we chant a mantra for the goddess of abundance, we will see that we reflect abundance in our realities.

Understand the power of recitation of mantras to be tapping into the realities we desire. When there is a deep fear and we recite a specific mantra, we are creating an energy field to protect ourselves.

The more we trust the abilities of the mantra and recite the mantra from our heart in its intent, the better the mantra works to create the specific reality that we seek.

3. Mantras shift and transform our thoughts and thinking pattern.

Through chanting the mantra, we begin to tune into the inherent vibrations within the mantra and in alignment with those higher vibrations, our mind also perceives thoughts from a higher place.

4. Mantras are a manifestation tool.

When we chant the mantras, our mind is slowly brought to a singular focus like a magnifying glass that converge sun light into fire. Any intent held through the mantra is magnified due to the intensity of focus and an intention that has been held long is thus brought to reality.

5. Mantras are supreme prayers.

Nearly all mantras carry the intent of invoking a specific facet of God/source. Through chanting the mantra we develop a singular focus on the invoked deity. Extended over years of chanting, we realize our connection to the invoked source/God more and more and with greater ease.

6. Mantras fine tune our breath and optimal thinking process.

By chanting the mantras, our inner journey to source/God has begun. Slowly we begin to realize our breath becoming deeper and slower thereby utilizing more of our lungs. This is a natural process that reciting a mantra accomplishes. With enhanced breathing, our mind also thinks optimally from the center of harmony.

7. Reciting the mantra awakens the state of bliss.

As we chant the mantra, we transcend the limits of the mind. Reciting mantras induce bliss due to the mind slipping away from its past momentum and acquiring the stress free now moment. We awaken to the nowmoment that is devoid of worrying of the past or future, when the mind is subdued to the ever present harmony in the core of our being. We are able to experience a state of joy within the mantra that the sages of antiquity held on to. Hold on the state of joys embedded within the mantra, and begin to expand this state of joy in our being — as in a body of bliss, as in realities of bliss and in perceiving all realities from the state of bliss.

8. The power and potency within the mantra can constantly be increased.

We realize the mantra chanting as a way of connecting our consciousness with our guru, who imparted the mantra. When we perform acts of goodness and kindness (dharma) we are increasing the power within the mantra.

The mantra serves by being the facilitator to higher consciousness. When we utilize the wisdom of higher consciousness to do good, we are allowing the flow of grace that is awakened through our expanding consciousness.

9. Mantras are empowered with the cooking process.

The more we chant the mantra, the more potent and powerful the mantra becomes. As we chant the mantra over longer periods of time, over the years we realize the mantra’s effect on reality in daily miracles and its potency in realities caused.

With time, the mantras we constantly recite mature and get cooked. When the mantra is cooked over a period of time, the mantra can now be given to another as a field of consciousness that easily alights anyone ready for more consciousness.

Even to simply listen to the mantra chant of an enlightened master can shift our consciousness partly because the mantras have been cooked by the master. The mantra is embedded with blessings of all masters who chanted the mantra before as the lineage behind the mantra.

10. Chant the mantra and awaken to all the goodness of higher consciousness.

Chanting the mantra transforms the mind to an effortless meditative state. When the mind is at a meditative state, our consciousness expands to imbibe all the positive attributes such as less stress, increased empathy, more focus, more optimism, more unconditional love and so on.

11. Mantras carry the vibratory presence of our guru and all the preceding gurus as the lineage presence.

It is wise to receive our mantra from an enlightened master as most mantras are passed from guru to disciple, with the mantras having been chanted by each guru over a whole life time. When we chant the mantra, we are tapping into the primal vibrations of all masters of the past in our own expanding consciousness. When we recite mantras that have a history of lineage, we are able to align to the ancient lineage of the gurus as guidance, protection and grace in our inner journey.

12. Chanting mantras is an optimal solution for those with Attention Deficit (ADD).

Recent scientific studies attest that meditation does help those with ADD. In this age, when from childhood our mind seeks inputs of music, television or information. With mass intake of information and working online, it is only natural that our mind is trained to be have an attention deficit.

The methodology of meditation with the principle of awareness of breath and eradication of thoughts simply does not work—especially for those of us in urban areas. Reciting the mantra is perhaps the surest way to, not only quiet the mind, but also to train the mind to focus on a single point for a longer period of time.

13. Awaken the genius within.

Through chanting we enhance the mind’s ability to meditate, to climb above the normal patterns of the mind. In climbing above the mind, we are able to think outside the box of limitations. Most of the amazing minds of history, from Albert Einstein to Isaac Newton, were able to touch base with the spiritual essence beyond the mind and see the higher perspective that we refer to as genius. When we go behind to understand the awareness that exists beyond our thought pattern and thinking process, we are tapping into a state of super consciousness — that the yogi sages call the state of turiya. Chanting leads us to this super consciousness state that all beings of higher consciousness experience.

14. Empower the mantra by constantly doing dharma (heart’s work).

With the essence of the mantra being the energy field of connection between our own consciousness and the consciousness of the guru behind the mantra, each act of goodness empowers the mantra in its potency.

Since mantras enhance realities as our energy, within manifesting the reality we desire the realities we manifest is directly related to the mantra energies we awaken. When we do charitable good deeds, the mantra within us feeds on the good energies created to become even more potent.

15. Mantras enable the transformative journey within.

Through mantras we change patterns of our past thinking. The spiritual history of India is filled with ignorant persons who were earlier, robbers and murderers wanting to change their lives; surrendering to a mantra and then emerging as enlightened masters. All it takes to awaken the highest wisdom within ourselves is the initiation through mantra and then our journey to become a master unfolds. When we are ready, the right mantra is received.