Part 1 was “The Key to Happiness & Peace,” explaining how understanding that our search for peace and happiness is what our spiritual path is about, and that making that our top priority is the key for us.
Part 2, “Finding our Own Way to Peace & Happiness,” is vital for us. There are many traditional paths, but we are really free to pursue that in any way we’d like.
(both Part 1 & Part 2 are posted below in this Blog)
And, here, in part 3, we will touch on the tool which the mystics and sages from all faiths encourage us to consider, Mantra Japa, repetition of a sacred sound formula.
There are no practices more sacred or powerful or effective than this very easy approach, one which we can take advantage of in almost any setting, anywhere, at any time. The only approach that comes close to being so accessible for us is working with our breath. But Mantra Japa is a good fit for most everyone these days. You need not be at your altar, though that is an excellent setting for your Mantra repetition. You can do it anywhere. You need not count your repetitions, though using a mala and committing to repetitions for a certain number of malas also works very well if so inclined. (Note: a mala has 108 beads to help you go through a series of 108 repetitions of the mantra you have chosen to repeat.)
So, besides this technique being so easy to use, consider what it is. Mystics and scriptures explain that this entire creation is formed from sound, made up entirely of vibrations. The Jewish creation describes it as such: “And God SAID, Let there be…,” and things then came into being through the sound of the Diving speaking it into being. Christian scriptures give the same explanation: “In the beginning was the Sound; the Sound was with God; the Sound was God; all things were made with the Sound; without the Sound was not any made that was made.” Even the modern physicists tell us that we can understand that everything is composed of waves, of sound. Repeating a sacred sound formula is working with the very essence of being. It is a very powerful practice impacting our consciousness, our physical form and the world we live in.
Once you have chosen a Mantra to repeat, then repeat it a lot. The more you repeat it, the more you will resonate with it. Repeat it aloud with feeling and attention. Repeat it silently with the same feeling and attention. Focus on how it feels, pay attention to how it impacts your consciousness. Notice how your mind lets go of all of the “busyness,” and becomes calm and clear, how easily you come into a wonderful, sweet peacefulness again and again as you repeat your Mantra, at anytime, anywhere. With regular repetition done with feeling, you will soon find it so easy to have your Mantra’s resonation and blessings present. There are so many surprising benefits to regularly repeating your Mantra.
Something worth noting… Mantras are sound formulas which, when sounded correctly, can shape your world experience in very beneficial ways, but when sounded “incorrectly” might mistakenly shape things in ways you may not like. However, if your intention for repeating your Mantra is to come into your Divine Union, then every Mantra, no matter now it is pronounced, will safely and effectively do that for you. Please make this your intention: repeat, enjoy your blossoming into Enlightened Union, Yoga, and have fun with it.
A great practice… repeat your Mantra when you get in bed to go to sleep and when you first wake up before getting out of bed.
Here is a link to a PDF which has more information about how to select a Mantra and make us of it, and myriad blessings of Mantra Japa: click here
Blessings and Love,
Jayadeva