Mantra Sadhna
One of the most significant aspects of meditation is the chanting of mantras. Mantras (literally liberator of mind in Sanskrit) are sacred words associated with dhwani, or sound, which is nothing but energy vibrations. Every alphabet or akshara is a mantra in itself and some of the most potent seed letters among them are ‘Aum’, ‘Hreem’, ‘Shreem’, ‘Kleem’. These mantras are invested with great power and when articulated in the correct manner, can influence the mind significantly.
The continuous repetition of any mantra or akshara generates energy vibrations that affect us and this is harnessed in meditation to address the various ailments of physical, spiritual, emotional or mental nature affecting us. In Preksha Meditation, mantra chanting is used to treat physical disorders, for grah shanti, for spiritual disorders, emotional and mental disorders, and even for the attainment of the ultimate goal, enlightenment.
The Importance of Mantra Meditation
Mantra meditation can bring about an impactful transformation in the individual with rigorous and dedicated practice. Most significantly, it helps in enhancing the focus and concentration of the mind and thoughts of an individual. The chanting of the mantra and the energy vibrations produced therein channel the unconscious and subconscious thought process in a positive direction, thus clearing and cleansing the mind. This in turn helps in the development of the individual’s intuitive power and self-purification.
The Technique of Chanting Mantras
In Mantra meditation, the chanting of mantras may be carried out in three different forms, which are distinguished into the following types:
- High voiced loud chanting
- Low-toned chanting
- Silent chanting or chanting mentally.
As mentioned earlier, the mantras are energy vibrations and in mantra meditation, the continuous repetition of any mantra or akshara generates energy vibrations that affect us. The chanting itself must proceed from a loud chanting with gross vibrations to chanting at a moderate volume, followed by chanting at a low volume until finally, the practitioner can utter the mantras silently in his/her mind. The second step is to align one’s breathing with the mantras while meditating. The rhythm and timing of breathing are crucial to meditation. The third step is to visualize the akshara that is being meditated upon in the mantra. Lastly, for the siddhi of the mantra, the entire process must be repeated with diligence for a fixed duration.
Benefits of Mantra Meditation
Mantra Meditation, or the chanting of mantras during meditation can serve a number of purposes, depending on the mantra being chanted as specific mantras have specific benefits associated with them. Some of the common benefits of mantra meditation include enhanced concentration, increase in intuitive power, positive turnaround in one’s behaviour and habits, relaxation of the mind, and in advanced cases, can also be used to cure diseases through the practice of Preksha Meditation.
Precautions in Mantra Meditation
For mantra meditation to have its effect, it is important that the proper procedure is duly followed by the practitioner. Often, the practitioners are unable to realize the benefit of the chanting owing to such factors as lack of concentration or lethargy while meditating, wrong pronunciation of the mantra, improper speed of chanting, and so on. At the same time, one must remember that the right mantra is chosen, which is only possible under the guidance of a guru. To realize the full benefit of the mantra, chanting must be done diligently and systematically on a routine basis in the correct manner.