Nirguna Mantra

[Guest guest]

Nirguna Mantra

 

 

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

 

1

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.

 

2

Aham Brahma Asmi

I am Brahman

Aham Brahma Asmiis 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.

 

3

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.

 

4

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.

 

 

 

/nirguna_mantra.php