Mantra

What is Mantra?

What is the significance of OM?

Detail your own experience of practising/teaching Mantra

What is Mantra?

Yoga aims to increase the flow of prana or life force energy through the human system and one way of doing this is through the use of sound vibrations. This is known as Mantra Yoga.

Some believe the word ‘mantra’ comes from two Sanskrit terms, ‘man’, meaning mind and ‘tra’, meaning to liberate. Hence, a mantra is a repeated word or sound which aims to liberate the mind. Another interpretation of the definition is that ‘man’ comes from ‘manas’, meaning ‘mind’ and ‘tra’ comes from ‘trana’, meaning to protect, so mantra could be defined as something which protects the mind.

This is based on the premise that most people have some internal chatter or thoughts in their minds which are causing them distress. If you take some time to examine your thought processes for a few minutes, you may notice a tendency to either replay past events (with the hope of processing or resolving them) or plan/dream about future events (with the desire to attain). Remembering unpleasant events in the past and feeling the frustration of an unfulfilled desire creates psychological and physical stress.

In its simplest form, a mantra, when repeated, offers a helpful diversion from these thought patterns and encourages the mind’s ability to focus on the present moment, where there is usually less to be worried about.

In “Mantra Yoga and Ashram Chants”, Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati states,

“Mantras are sacred vibrations expressing the perfection of underlying Reality. They are one of the most potent means available of opening up the unknown spheres of our Being.”

He believes that when the mind bypasses its usual inner noise, a doorway is opened to higher realms of consciousness. It is logical to assume that our brain wave frequency could be changed by sounds with a different vibration.  This is especially convincing when you consider that, according to quantum scientists, all atoms (i.e. objects that we perceive as solid, liquid and gas) are composed mainly of empty space.  Sound travels through the medium of space or air therefore its effects have the potential to alter any space it encounters.

There is a belief in yogic philosophy that our core nature is essentially blissful and that chanting sacred mantras which have been intuited in a state of bliss, can reveal that state in us.

History of Mantra

Mantras have been used for thousands of years in many world cultures. In fact, modern science is discovering that ancient people probably had a greater awareness of sound and its effects than we do today.

A new branch of archaeology known as ‘Acoustic Archaeology’ has found that certain megalithic sites in Europe have a natural acoustic resonance which can induce meditative states of consciousness.  It is also believed that the ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Mayans built their amphitheatres, pyramids and temples with acoustics in mind.

In ancient India, knowledge and use of sound was so developed that it became a science known as ‘Mantra Vidya’ – the knowledge of mantras and their effects. The main yogic practice or sadhana thousands of years ago was chanting the Vedas – spiritual texts which defined the Vedic era from the second and first millennia BCE to the 6^th century BCE.

Sanskrit Mantras

Sanskrit is thought to be the oldest known language and is considered sacred in India. It is thought to have been intuited by the ancient sages as ‘shruti’ or divine inspiration. Each sound is synonymous with a universal force and each word has a specific vibrational effect upon the human system.

In India, Sanskrit mantras are found in many of the ancient texts and are known as ‘mantra shastra’, ‘shastra’ meaning ‘scripture’. The Bhagavad Gita is an example of mantra shastra because in addition to offering instruction in yoga practice and teaching, each verse can be chanted to imbibe the mystical essence of the teachings through the vibrations of the words. It is thought that an altered state of consciousness can result from chanting mantra shastra.

One of the most used mantras as recorded in the Rig Veda and the Yajur Veda is The Gayatri Mantra:

Om Bhur Bhuvaha Swaha

Tat Savitur Varenyam

Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi

Dhiyo Yonaha Prachodayat

This according to Swami Nishchalananda Saraswati, translates as, “Om. Let us meditate upon the Light of that adorable Sun (underlying Intelligence). May it awaken our spiritual perception and understanding on all the places physical, vital, mental and beyond.”

Christian Mantras

Many world religions include mantras and practices which encourage the repetition of sacred texts. The wisdom of The Bible has been distilled into Psalms and Hymns which are often repetitious to induce, “the peace of God which passeth all understanding”.

Kýrie, eléison; Christé, eléison; Kýrie, eléison.

"Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy

Perhaps the most often repeated Christian word is ‘Amen’ which is thought to be a derivation of the Sanskrit mantra ‘Om’.

The Significance of the Mantra OM

Scientists have discovered an ‘unheard vibration’ or background energy which began during the Big Bang or creation of the universe. It is thought that the sound ‘Om’ represents this essential energy in audible terms.

In Sanskrit, the sound ‘Om’ is translated as ‘Aum’, the ‘a’ sound expressing manifestation, the ‘u’, sustenance of manifestation and ‘m’, indicating the end of manifestation. In fact, there are many interpretations of AUM as shown in the table below.

 Om is difficult to describe as it represents that which is unmanifested and unknowable! Yet when we consider the origins of language, Om is often present in philosophical words, making reference to the universality of something. For example, omniscience, omnipotence, omnipresent; these words often being associated with God.

In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, is states, "tasya vacakah pranavah" which translates as, "God's voice is Aum."

The Symbolic representation of OM or AUM

Many scriptures advocate the chanting of the mantra OM. In the Katha Upanishad it is written, “this mantra Om indeed represents Brahman (the Absolute). It is the highest. He who knows its meaning and worships it attains the supreme goal and knows everything.”  The Yoga Sutras recommend that, “Om should be repeated over and over again whilst reflecting on its deeper meaning,” and “from this practice, Awareness turns inwards and all obstacles are overcome.”

In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna recommends chanting OM at the time of death, “at the time of death, repeat the mantra Om, symbolizing the Absolute Reality; you will go forth from the body and attain the Supreme Goal.”

Personal Practice and Teaching of Mantra

My first experiences of devotional singing came as a teenager when I was a chorister. This was also the time when I began to question my Christian schooling. I enjoyed the uplifting effects of focused singing and the community ritual involved in a church service, yet was disillusioned with the content of the hymns and psalms I was singing.

Since that time, I have rarely sung, except for warbling in the shower, until I attended a weekend event at Mandala Yoga Ashram. The daily sadhana included early morning asanas, pranayama, chanting and meditation with a group of other people.

I recognized how self-conscious people can feel when asked to vocalize in public and although I was used to this and relatively comfortable doing so, expressing myself in that way required me to consider how I was singing. If I sang to quietly, would that contribute to the feeling of shyness amongst the group? If I sang out loudly, would I be considered a ‘show-off’ or someone trying to dominate others?

I was very aware of my ego during this experience, which I feel expresses itself through vocal affectations – did my voice sound good or not?

I think that with more practice I could reach a point where I become more absorbed into the process of singing rather than being too concerned with what other people might think and I hope to continue my practice of kirtan and chanting.

I have only taught mantra chanting to children and then only mantra without religions connotations, for example, “Om Shanti, Shanti Shanti” and have never included it in my regular yoga classes. I believe that the people currently in my classes would be uncomfortable with the devotional aspects of mantra yoga although I would consider offering a specialized class in future as I really enjoy it!

There are some issues to consider before I would introduce mantra into my yoga classes. Whether, for instance, students have religious beliefs which may prevent their participation, if they have negative conditioning regarding the quality of their voice and how comfortable the group felt with each other. The voice is such a revealing aspect of our personality that some feel exposed when they sing. That said, when experienced without self-judgment, singing is an uplifting activity and mantra chanting could be considered asana for mind, offering protection from psychological distress and a direct route to enlightenment.

Justine Aldersey-Williams 24/01/09

Bibliography

Saraswati, S.N., (2005), Mantra Yoga and Ashram Chants, Mandala Yoga Ashram

Bernard, P. & Deva, A., (2007), Yoga of Sound: Kirtans from the Sacred Forest, Mandala Publishing

Satchidananda, S., (2005), The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, Integral Yoga

Easwaran, E., (1987), The Upanishads, Blue Mountain Centre of Meditation

Hawley, J. (2001), The Bhagavad Gita: A Walkthrough for Westerners, New World Library

BWY Class Handouts