Mantra Meditation

Mantra Meditation is a meditation technique: A technique developed for concentrating the mind upon the repetition or continuation of a specific sound-vibration; a mantra. By repeating such a vibration physically or mentally the mind gradually becomes more focussed on that specific sound-vibration. Doing so eventually results in the cessation of all other thought-forms, hence the mind enters a one-pointed, tranquill and serene state of mind.

There are countless of meditation mantras: Basically every sound-vibration you can think of is a potential mantra, though some are more suitable for usage in meditation than others. Deep and long, single sound sound-vibrations like: "Ooooommm" (Om, Aum) or "Aaaaaang" are most useful for deep concentration and transcendental meditation because they are an uninterrupted sound vibration, hence it is more one-pointed in nature and can be repeated fluidly. But there are also longer mantras that consist of one or more sentences. Mantras like the powerful Kundalini Yoga Mantras and the Gayatri Mantra look more like prayers in the way they are set up.

Mantras associated with a deeper meaning or quality of life:
Are recommended, since mantras cultivate the meaning of what they refer to in the one who is repeating it. So instead of repeating: "Trousers and Pants" all the time, it would be better to repeat: "Love and Light" for example. However, this depends on what your purpose or goal with mantra meditations is; if you want to gain knowledge about trousers and pants, the first one may fit your liking.

Repetition of a mantra brings about the meaning attached to it: Most specific meditation mantras have a goal, quality or other meaning to them. For example, the mantra "Om" or "Aum" is the sound-vibration associated with The ultimate reality: Brahman. That is why Aum or Om is the most used mantra in the world. Repeating it will bring your state of experience, your state of consciousness in closer alignment with the state of that sound vibration, the state of Brahman.

Related Mantra pages:

Mantra Tool:

A tool to get better mantra meditation results: Especially for beginners, is to involve the senses in the repetition of the mantra. Don't force attention to stay on the sound, but try to be alert enough to be aware of the mantra instead of wandering or daydreaming while automatically repeating your chosen sound for meditation:

Try to visualize the sound vibration as it is written on paper or in the air. For example, when you choose to use the sound: "AAuuummmm", repeat the meditation mantra verbally and/or mentally, but also visualize the written form of the mantra.
Keep your ears focussed on the vibration of your chosen sound as you keep repeating it either verbally and/or mentally.
Try to feel, taste and smell your sound-vibration, or just be alert on any sense perceptions that may take place. If they do: observe them, acknowledge them and then let go of them.

Turn The World Into A Mantra:

Sound vibrations are all around us in everything that exists:
A really beautiful way of experiencing chant meditation that I recently discovered is by tuning into the sounds around you, no matter where you are or what you hear. Whether you are sitting by a beautiful lake listening to birds singing or in the train listening to the sounds of the railway, people talking, newspapers cracking, etc. All sounds can become a doorway to a transcendental experience.

At first when listening to the sounds around you, your ears are clouded: Things do not sound harmonious or well in line with each other. In fact, they sound chaotic and are disturbing. But once you start to truly listen, you become absorbed in a magnificently and beautifully co-ordinated orchestra of energy vibrations. Common sounds like those of voices in the distant, or cars on a highway transform into something vivid yet serene. They become subtler, softer and more transparent as they seem to overflow into the other environmental sounds around you and finally they start flowing into you and you into them. Now the world has become your mantra meditation.

I also created a step-by-step guide for beginners to get you started:Instructions In Effortless Mantra Meditation

Return to Meditation Techniques Return to Yoga Mind Control