Mantra meditation is a technique of mental, physical and spiritual healing by repeated chanting of sounds known as mantras. Unlike other sound therapies that use different instruments, music, and devices, this meditation uses different types of mantras having a particular meaning and intonation. But to understand the technique of mantra chanting meditation, we need to know the definition of a mantra first.
What are mantras?
Mantra is a sacred Sanskrit word or phrase which is derived from a combination of two words, man (meaning mind) and tra (meaning instrument/tool). It is believed that there are 70 billion mantras and each of them has a different meaning. Mantras can be a single word, phrase or a sentence with a predefined meaning. The correct intonation of a mantra can evoke its spiritual energy in the chanter’s body and mind.
Mantras – How they work spiritually
When we repeatedly chant a mantra for a specific number of times, its vibrations resonate throughout the body and penetrate within all the cells and tissues of the body. In India, different deities are invoked with different mantras which are characteristically designed for them. So it is said when we repeatedly chant a mantra confined to a particular deity, we begin to vibrate within the frequency of that mantra. Mantra meditation works this way. The mantra possesses the energy of its respective deity, and we acquire the energy and qualities of the deity.
The science behind mantras – Mantra Meditation
According to Quantum Physics, every particle in nature has a wave counterpart. In other words, each particle vibrates at a particular frequency. Whether it’s a flower, animal, you or me, we all vibrate at our own frequency. And wherever there is vibration, there is energy. So in simple words, mantras are sound vibrations which have their own energy and frequency. Whenever we chant a mantra, it activates certain points in our body by resonance. Eventually, our body shifts to higher frequencies, in spiritual terms; which mean that we start to vibrate at higher and deeper levels, emanating a more positive frequency.
But to get the highest benefits, you should chant the mantra with its correct intonation and complete awareness. You need to take care of these things while chanting it. Because mantra meditation is not just about uttering a sound – it is a sound with phenomenal consequence.
How to choose your right mantra
Now, this is one of the trickiest parts where you usually get stuck with – choosing your right mantra. Always remember, every mantra works for you. You can just take any one of it and start chanting. But the problem is whether you are able to like it or not. If you don’t invest a little bit of emotion to it, it will be hard for you to relate with. And that will again lead to distraction.
So let’s see, what are the ways of choosing our perfect mantra:-
- Be sure about your intention for doing mantra meditation.
- Check if there is any specific mantra coding your particular intention.
- If yes, try chanting that mantra for a week or two, to see whether it works for you or not. And if there isn’t any mantra as such, better opt for a universal mantra.
- If you feel like your mantra is not working, then change it. This simply means you are not able to imbibe the meaning of that particular mantra. Change to something you can relate to, or are attracted to.
But as I said earlier, every mantra is designed to work for you. It’s all about the intensity with which you can relate to it.
Some mantras to get started with:-
1. Aum
Aum is known as the Pranava mantra, the sacred syllable because it symbolizes Brahman itself i.e the Supreme reality. It eliminates your ego and illumines you with the Divine light. It is a root mantra from which all other mantras have emerged.
2. Ram
The word Ram is always associated with Lord Ram in Hindu culture. But the Ram mantra is a universal mantra, not associated with any deity in particular. It refers to the purest self of the being. It has a similar power as of the Pranava mantra.
3. Gayatri Mantra Meditation
Om Bhur Bhuvaḥ Swaḥ Tat-savitur Vareñyaṃ Bhargo Devasya Dhīmahi Dhiyo Yonaḥ Prachodayāt
Meaning – We meditate on the existence Absolute (Divine Mother), Creator of the three dimensions (physical, mental and spiritual); we contemplate upon your divine light. May you illumine our intellect and bestow upon us true knowledge.
3. Krishna Maha-mantra
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare
This is considered as the maha-mantra (supreme mantra) of Bhakti yoga. It is the repetition of different names of Krishna, Rama, and Hari. All are the same.
4. Aum Namah Shivay
In Hindu scriptures, Lord Shiva is considered as the ultimate destroyer, but He is also considered as the inner self that one retains even after everything ends. It is an important mantra in Shaivism. Chanting this mantra basically means to align with the absolute reality.
5. Buddhist mantra meditation
Om Mani Padme Hum
This is a very important mantra in Buddhism. It translates as: ‘the jewel is in the Lotus’. It is used to invoke compassion and peace within oneself.
6. Peace Mantra meditation
Om Asato Maa Sad-Gamaya Tamaso Maa Jyotir-Gamaya Mrtyor-Maa Amrtam Gamaya Om Shanti Shaantih Shaantihi
This known as Shanti (peace) mantra and translates as ‘Lead me from untruth to truth. Lead me from darkness to the light. Lead me from death to immortality. Om peace, peace, peace!’
Benefits of Mantra Meditation:-
- Eases fear or any specific phobia you carry
- Empowers you
- Regulates your heart rate and relaxes you
- Boosts immunity
- Increases the power of intuition
- Gives a natural radiance on your face
- Dilutes your ego