Mantras are Sanskrit-invocations
of the Supreme Being. Reinforced and propelled by japa meditation,
they pass from the verbal level through the mental and telepathic
states, and on to pure thought energy. Of all languages,
Sanskrit most closely approaches telepathic language because
of its affinity to the fifty primeval sounds. It is the
most direct way to approach the transcendental state.
Mantras cannot be concocted or tailor-made for the individual,
despite some current claims. They have always existed in
a latent state as sound energies. Just as gravity was discovered
but not invented by Newton, Mantras were revealed to the
ancient masters. They have been codified in the scriptures
and handed down from guru to disciple. Although it is customary
for the guru when giving initiation to accept voluntary
offerings of fruit, flowers or money, the selling of Mantras
is strictly against all spiritual rules.
Neither Mantra, deity nor guru, once chosen, should be changed.
There are many paths up the mountain. Perseverance on one
alone will bring the aspirant to the top faster than if
he were to spread his energies in exploring all the alternative
paths.
NIRGUNA MANTRAS :
-
As saguna Mantras have form, nirguna Mantras are without
form. There are no deities or personalized aspects of God
to be invoked. Rather, one uses the abstract Mantras and
Vedantic formulas to assert identification with all the
creation. Because people are of many different temperaments,
not all spiritual aspirants are drawn to a personal deity.
Many perceive the universe as diverse energy patterns, all
connected and interrelated, and stemming from one Source
or Primal Cause.
For this type of temperament, the abstract mantra creates
a vibration in which the meditator identifies with the whole
of the Cosmos. With the repetition of one of these Mantras,
the meditator loses his individual identity and merges with
nature. He avows that he is identical with that homogeneous
substratum, that energy or power of existence, which underlies
and permeates all that exists.
All Mantras are hidden in OM, which is the abstract, highest
Mantra of the cosmos. OM is the manifest symbol of the Sabdabrahaman
vibration, or God; but it must not be equated with the Divine.
The universe has come from OM, rests in OM and dissolves
in it. AUM, as it is sometimes written, covers the threefold
experience of man; A represents the physical plane, U represents
the mental and astral plane, and M represents the deep sleep
state and everything beyond reach of the intellect. The
transcendental sound of OM is heard only by Yogis, not by
the ordinary ear.
Letters of the alphabet are emanations from OM, which is
the root of all sounds and letters. A is the first sound
the vocal apparatus can utter, and M is the last. In between
is the middle range of U. The three sounds comprising OM
encompass all sound. There is no language, music or poetry
outside its range. Not only does all language and thought
arise from this word, but also the energy vibrations of
the universe itself.
Because of its universality, OM can be used as a Mantra
by all who are unable to find a guru. However, its very
universality and lack of particular form make it very difficult
for a beginner to grasp. The mind must be very strong to
be able to concentrate on formless and abstract Mantras
such as OM.
Japa meditation on OM has a tremendous influence on the
mind. Vibrations set up by this word are extremely powerful.
By holding the hands over the ears and intoning it, one
can experience its vibrations on a rudimentary physical
level. No other sound similarly intoned will have the same
vibrational power within the head.
Correctly pronounced, the sound proceeds from the navel
with a deep and harmonious vibration, and gradually manifests
itself at the upper part of the nostrils. The larynx and
palate are the sounding boards; no part of the tongue or
palate is touched. As the U is pronounced, the sound rolls
from the root of the tongue to the end of the sounding board
of the mouth. M is the last sound, and is produced by closing
the lips. Pronounced merely as spelled OM will have a certain
effect upon the nervous system, and will benefit the psyche.
Pronounced correctly, it arouses and transforms every atom
in the physical body, setting up new vibrations and awakening
dormant physical and mental powers.
Just as the various deities are aspects of One Supreme,
so the various bija, or seed Mantras are aspects of the
supreme Mantra, OM. Bija Mantras are seed letters directly
derived from the fifty primeval sounds, and are very powerful.
Generally a bija Mantra consists of a single letter, although
some, such as HREEM, are compounded. Each has a significant
inner mystic meaning, although on the surface the sound
itself appears to have no meaning at all. Each element of
the universe has its corresponding bija. The sounds for
ether, air, fire, water and earth are, respectively, HAM,
YAM, RAM, VAM and LAM. Every deity also has its own deed
syllable. Because of their innate force, bija Mantras generally
are not given for initiation. Japa on them may be practiced
by those who are in a pure state, and their use is preceded
by intricate rituals.
ABSTRACT Mantras for JAPA...
Soham
I am That I am
The meditator is existence itself. He is without form, without
quality, without past, present or future. No bonds or
limitations restrict the aspirant who has Soham firmly fixed in
his hand.
Aham Brahma Asmi
I am Brahman
Aham Brahma Asmi is a great Vedantic formula. The meditator
asserts himself to be One with the ever-present Brahman. In
doing so, he denies confinement to the body and mind, and
affirms unity with the Absolute.
Tat Twam Asi
That Thou Art
"That" is the eternal Brahman, and "thou" is the meditator. Tat
Twam Asi, is one of the greatest of the Vedantic statements,
identifies the individual as one and the same with Brahaman, the
Absolute Substratum of Creation.
OM
There is no translation of OM. It consists of three letters: A,
U and M. It signifies the three periods of time, the three
states of consciousness and all of existence. A is the waking
state, U is the dreaming state, and M is the deep sleep state.
OM contains nada and bindu. Nada is the prolonged vowel sound
and bindu is the humming sound, made with closed lips, with
which the Mantra ends.
