Mantra for Beginners: 1-3

[Guest guest]

Om Sankarrukku

 

RE: Mantras for Beginners 1 - 3

 

<<I started wondering how come we all read

the same books, but understand differently.>>

 

For the same reasons, that there are different religions, different

approaches to hatha yoga, and different types of meditation. We

all have a unique karmic load. But, while we each have different

karmic loads, in this lifetime, we have enough similarities with

some others that we feel a resonance with a particular path or

sadhana and, perhaps, a particular guru. More importantly, what

we have in common is that we are all manifestations of

Brahman. It is this common ground that enables us to seek a

path that leads us to an identification with Brahman.

 

<<The effect of the Mantra is due to the effect of the sound

produced.>>

 

It is more accurate to use the term `vibration' or `frequency' rather

than `sound' because Mantras use both audible and inaudible

frequencies to awaken dormant centers in the astral body.

 

<<So all hymns, prayers, and Namas are also mantras.>>

 

This statement is not quite true. Hymns, prayers, etc are not

necessarily mantras. Mantras have a certain structure and have

unique abilities to awaken chakras and attune the

consciousness to the vibration of the chakras.

 

<<The different kinds of japa are 1. Vaikhari Japa (audible) 2.

Upamsu Japa (whispering) 3. Manasika Japa (mental) 4. Likhita

Japa (written)>>

 

Japa proceeds through audible, perhaps whispering, certainly

mental but it must also achieve Pashyanti, telepathic repetition

where one becomes aware of the form-producing qualities of the

mantra and finally, para, a transcendental state of pure shakti or

God.

 

 

<<There is very little difference between Mental japa and

Meditation>>

 

All forms of Japa are meditation, it is simply a case of becoming

more and more one-pointed until, as Patanjali has pointed out,

"At that time when the mind is still, the perceiver rests in his own

true nature." (Raja Yoga Sutras 1:3)

 

<<in India we progressed slowly from prayer to Meditation over a

period of years, most people in the west are directly initiated into

meditation.>>

 

The reason that people, either from the East or West, run into

problems with their spiritual path is that they do not take the time

to purify themselves suffiently to withstand the powers

unleashed by sadhana. They are so intent and desperate to find

God that they do not pay attention to all the warnings that

Kundalini can be dangerous if one is not in a fit state to

accommodate it and its results.

 

<<His evaluation took nearly two years.>>

 

I think it is more likely that your guru knew immediately what

mantra you should be using but that it took you 2 years to get

yourself into a fit state to use it.

 

Om namah Sivaya

 

Omprem

 

, sankarrukku <no_reply> wrote:

>

> I am calling this message Mantra for Beginners as my

messages are all

> meant for beginners. Today I was reading a book on advanced

> techniques in Kundalini Yoga. When my son took that book I

warned him

> that it is not for him now. Then I made a remark that even

books on

> spirituality and religion should be marked for beginners, for

> Intermediate level and advanced level. This is done in all

books on

> computer programming languages because an advanced

level book will

> not make any sense to beginners and a book for beginners

will sound

> silly for advanced programmers.

>

> He replied that it couldn't be done in spirituality and religion, as

> noone will accept that he is a beginner in religion or spirituality.

> Most of the books on religion and spirituality are written mainly

for

> advanced level people. Namely renunciates and adepts. So

adepts,

> renunciates and spiritually advanced people may find my

messages

> silly.

>

> Now that the statutory warning is given, here I go.

>

> I was going through the messages on Mantra, gurus, Japa,

Nama Japa

> over the last six months. I started wondering how come we all

read

> the same books, but understand differently. Again how come

great

> people like Swami Sivananda and others emphasize the role

of the Guru

> and also say you can choose your mantra without a Guru? Om

is a

> mantra, which every Hindu recites almost daily in one form or

the

> other. My son when he was 3 years old used to call the priest

in his

> Grandfather's house OM mama. (Om uncle) because most of

the time he

> was reciting OM..... We have so many messages about its

effect and

> whether you need a Guru. (I also sent a couple of IMs).

>

> Then suddenly eureka! It struck me. The term Mantra means

different

> things to different people. I will take an example. There was an

old

> message from glnsamp67 about the difference between

Nama Japa and

> Mantra Japa. (I have learnt many things from glnsamp67

messages. I

> am sorry that I never thanked him for his messages. Thank

You

> glnsamp67 ). Mantra Yoga is sometimes seen as part of Nada

Yoga. The

> effect of the Mantra is due to the effect of the sound produced. I

do

> not think there is any difference of opinion about this. If this is

> so how does Nama japa work? Again the effect of sound. So

where is

> the difference between Nama and Mantra. We talk about the

effect of

> hymns and prayers. Again the effect of sound. There are many

Hymns

> and prayers, which are considered Mantras. The entire Devi

Mahatmyam

> is considered to be a single mantra or a garland of 700

mantras. The

> four Sthudhis (prayers) are considered to be mantras. In

Soundharya

> Lahari every stanza is considered to be a mantra. In the Vishnu

> Sahashranama some of the verses used as mantras give

certain effects

> like improving memory, .... etc. We used to recite these verses

> when we were young for improving our performance in

examinations.

> Rama Nama is considered to be the greatest mantra.

(Phalasthudhi of

> Vishnu Sahasranama ) Maharshi Valmikhi became a Maharshi

by reciting

> Mara, Mara.

>

> The entire Vedic recitation was considered mantra. We have

marriage

> mantras, Upanayana mantras and mantras for all samskaras.

>

>

> So all hymns, prayers, and Namas are also mantras. The

common

> perception that only exoteric, Tantrik and Vedantic mantras are

> mantras is wrong.

>

> I was the one who had talked a lot about Mantra Sasthra.

Where does

> Mantra Sasthra fit in here? Mantra Sasthra also talks about

mantras

> for getting powers other than spiritual. We are talking now only

> about mantras for spiritual advancement

>

> Once we accept that all these are mantras then we begin to

understand

> Swami Sivananda.

>

> It has always been difficult to get good Gurus. If everyone

waited to

> get a Guru before taking the first steps towards spirituality,

there

> will be very few spiritual people in the world. Since it is never

too

> early to begin, we are taught hymns, prayers, Namas. It is not

that

> you cannot achieve the Ultimate with these mantras. Swami

Ramdass

> (sage of Kananghad) had only one mantra "Sri ram jai Ram

Om". He

> spent years searching for a Guru. In the end his father initiated

him

> into this mantra. Saint Chaithanya Maha Prabhu was an

embodiment of

> the Krishna nama. Even In Vedanta philosophical truths like

Tatwamasi

> and Aham Brahma Asmi are used as mantras.

>

> How come we differentiate between Mantras, hymns, prayers,

and Namas?

> Of course hymns and prayers are poetry. May be it is because

Mantras

> other than Vedic mantras have come to be associated with

Black Magic

> in the minds of the general public. In most of the Indian

languages

> mantra means magic. In Tamil Tantra means trick. So may be

people

> avoided using the term Mantra.

>

> Hymns in Soundharya Lahari have their own separate Yantras

and

> rituals which being purely Tantrik are difficult to learn without a

> proper guru. Vedic recitation is almost impossible without

proper

> training under a Guru. But Rama Nama does not need a guru.

> So whether you need a Guru or not depends on the Mantra.

>

> I will deal with Japa and meditation in my next post because

here

> again we have a difference between common perception and

actual

> practice.

>

> Sankar

[Guest guest]

Respected Omprem,

 

I am quite sure that Sankarukkuji has made it clear that he doesn't

want to engage in further back and forth. I can't say that I blame

him, honestly. It seems to me you have gone past respectful

discussion, and are now securely in defense mode. Your posts recently

have been very disappointing to me, because I have always respected

you and valued what you have to say. My knowledge (if one can even

call it that) is the size of an ant, so I always try to absorb

whatever I can from learned folks.

 

As has been stated many times, "the path" is different for all of us.

Our life experiences shape the way we see things here in this world.

And just because you have been taught one thing or another, and

happen to believe you are 100% correct, doesn't mean that all are

ready, willing, or able to understand your version of "right". Osama

bin Laden and his cronies think they are 100% right, and are

completely unwavering, and they ran planes into buildings. Obviously,

I am not saying you are akin to Osama, but I believe that thinking

you are 100% correct all of the time can lead to dangerous situations.

 

In fact, I happen to agree with Sankarukkuji when he states that

prayers really are mantras, in their own way. As someone brought up

in the west, with no chance to be as immersed in the eastern

teachings as you have been so lucky to be, I grasp what I am able. If

I am able to understand and connect with a certain prayer, rather

than a mantra, then what is the harm? If I am progressing -- no

matter where I happened to start -- who is going to tell me that I

am "wrong"? And if they do, is it their right? I hardly think so.

 

I do not think it is our right, duty, or obligation to judge anyone.

I thought the whole idea was to love one another.

 

A disciple of Neem Karoli Baba once asked, "Maharaji, how can I know

God?"

 

He said, "Serve people."

 

With much love,

Erica

[Guest guest]

I agree with you Erica. I too do NOT think that it is right to

verbally abuse another person, even if the other person may be

wrong. uma had earlier suggested a beautiful site called

www.wordscanheal.org

 

I think it would be good if we all once again visit that site, and

take the pledge of using only sweet words.

 

In Tamil there's a proverb, "kani irukka, kaay edarku?"

 

That is, when you have a fully ripe fruit, why choose an unripe

fruit? The unripe fruit is akin to the harsh words, and the ripe

fruits obviously corresponds to sweet words. Both are available at

our disposal. So why choose the distasteful one?

 

>>A disciple of Neem Karoli Baba once asked, "Maharaji, how can I

know

God?" He said, "Serve people."<<

 

That was really beautiful Erica. Let's all in this club join hands,

and speak sweetly to one another and spread Divine Love.

 

Hari Aum !!!

 

 

, sugarandbrine <no_reply> wrote:

> Respected Omprem,

>

> I am quite sure that Sankarukkuji has made it clear that he doesn't

> want to engage in further back and forth. I can't say that I blame

> him, honestly. It seems to me you have gone past respectful

> discussion, and are now securely in defense mode. Your posts

recently

> have been very disappointing to me, because I have always respected

> you and valued what you have to say. My knowledge (if one can even

> call it that) is the size of an ant, so I always try to absorb

> whatever I can from learned folks.

>

> As has been stated many times, "the path" is different for all of

us.

> Our life experiences shape the way we see things here in this

world.

> And just because you have been taught one thing or another, and

> happen to believe you are 100% correct, doesn't mean that all are

> ready, willing, or able to understand your version of "right".

Osama

> bin Laden and his cronies think they are 100% right, and are

> completely unwavering, and they ran planes into buildings.

Obviously,

> I am not saying you are akin to Osama, but I believe that thinking

> you are 100% correct all of the time can lead to dangerous

situations.

>

> In fact, I happen to agree with Sankarukkuji when he states that

> prayers really are mantras, in their own way. As someone brought up

> in the west, with no chance to be as immersed in the eastern

> teachings as you have been so lucky to be, I grasp what I am able.

If

> I am able to understand and connect with a certain prayer, rather

> than a mantra, then what is the harm? If I am progressing -- no

> matter where I happened to start -- who is going to tell me that I

> am "wrong"? And if they do, is it their right? I hardly think so.

>

> I do not think it is our right, duty, or obligation to judge

anyone.

> I thought the whole idea was to love one another.

>

> A disciple of Neem Karoli Baba once asked, "Maharaji, how can I

know

> God?"

>

> He said, "Serve people."

>

> With much love,

> Erica

[Guest guest]

Om Erica

 

If one is unable to accept truth when it clashes with one's

sensibilities and current beliefs, then time spent in alleged

spiritual pursuits is wasted. One might just as well go for life,

liberty and the pursuit of happiness on a secular basis.

 

It was Winston Churchill who said, "Men occassionally stumble

over the truth, but most pick themselves up and hurry off as if

nothing had happened."

 

As far as prayers and mantras are concerned, all one has to do

is apply the Venn diagram concept to this question, and it is

readily seen that while some prayers and some mantras may

intersect as viable spiritual vehicles, the majority of prayers and

the majority of mantras do not and nor are they intended to.

 

As far as Sankarrukku is concerned, while he may not like having

the untruths contained in his comments exposed, that does not

make the untruths true. There are many people such as he, who

whether maliciously or not, sit in their favourite easychair, dream

up a theory and then promote it on the internet hoping that

others will agree with it because agreement can be confused

with validation. Oh yes, and by validating the theory, these

internet users also validate and elevate the originator of the

theory.

 

The truth will set you free

 

Omprem

 

 

, sugarandbrine <no_reply> wrote:

> Respected Omprem,

>

> I am quite sure that Sankarukkuji has made it clear that he

doesn't

> want to engage in further back and forth. I can't say that I blame

> him, honestly. It seems to me you have gone past respectful

> discussion, and are now securely in defense mode. Your

posts recently

> have been very disappointing to me, because I have always

respected

> you and valued what you have to say. My knowledge (if one can

even

> call it that) is the size of an ant, so I always try to absorb

> whatever I can from learned folks.

>

> As has been stated many times, "the path" is different for all of

us.

> Our life experiences shape the way we see things here in this

world.

> And just because you have been taught one thing or another,

and

> happen to believe you are 100% correct, doesn't mean that all

are

> ready, willing, or able to understand your version of "right".

Osama

> bin Laden and his cronies think they are 100% right, and are

> completely unwavering, and they ran planes into buildings.

Obviously,

> I am not saying you are akin to Osama, but I believe that

thinking

> you are 100% correct all of the time can lead to dangerous

situations.

>

> In fact, I happen to agree with Sankarukkuji when he states that

> prayers really are mantras, in their own way. As someone

brought up

> in the west, with no chance to be as immersed in the eastern

> teachings as you have been so lucky to be, I grasp what I am

able. If

> I am able to understand and connect with a certain prayer,

rather

> than a mantra, then what is the harm? If I am progressing -- no

> matter where I happened to start -- who is going to tell me that I

> am "wrong"? And if they do, is it their right? I hardly think so.

>

> I do not think it is our right, duty, or obligation to judge anyone.

> I thought the whole idea was to love one another.

>

> A disciple of Neem Karoli Baba once asked, "Maharaji, how

can I know

> God?"

>

> He said, "Serve people."

>

> With much love,

> Erica