mantra

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

How to use the mantra

The most important aspect of a mantra is to repeat it over and over again, Amma says that it is good to begin the day with a period of meditation during which we visualize our beloved deity or guru (those who meditate on the formless aspect of God can imagine a light or flame) and concentrate on his or her form as we begin to repeat the mantra. When one is alone one may repeat it aloud if this is helpful. In general the mantra should be said very quietly to oneself or without making any sound at all.

During these sittings we should say our mantra a minimum of 108 times. Though the adage "quality not quantity" is not to be disregarded here, the more one practices the mantra the more it sinks into one's consciousness and therefore the more it becomes part of oneself. As this happens concentration and all of his benefits naturally grow. While it it can always be incorporated into our meditation, repetition of the mantra should not be limited only in this time. We should say it always when walking, driving, sitting, dressing, eating and falling  asleep, anytime we are not actively engaged in an action which requires us to speak or think we should repeat our mantra. Gradually this will become more and more natural and constant repetition will not seem such a far-off goal.

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

Amma sets such a good example. Everytime I see her she has her monks and devotees chant the 108 names of the divine. The more u see a master the more u recognize what they r doing and more importantly; what they are.

[kingfisher111]

Amma sets such a good example. Everytime I see her she has her monks and devotees chant the 108 names of the divine. The more u see a master the more u recognize what they r doing and more importantly; what they are.

Nice 

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

Amma sets such a good example. Everytime I see her she has her monks and devotees chant the 108 names of the divine. The more u see a master the more u recognize what they r doing and more importantly; what they are.

Nice 

i received a personal mantra from Amma i have been practicing it quite regularly throughout the day. Chanting it 108 times during meditation practice is a rather new principle of practice i have been making an effort to implement. There is a constant buzz of the divine name in her presence. The divine becomes more clear as happiness increases in the hall and among the devotees. It is very evident as u look in the faces of everyone present and u see it in their gestures. Amma is the embodiment of happiness and most any one that is around her for any length of time also feels that happiness. i asked a monk that was standing next to her for hours about his constant smile. He told me that it is very difficult to not smile when in the presence of Amma. We r all looking for happiness. There r beings walking the earth who have it and know they have it. U can't help but being affected by this. 

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

A mantra can be used all day long so we do not deplete our mental resources. When you sit down to meditate  you will be more focused. Your mind will not be on past memories and future difficulties.

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

The wonderful thing about mantras is that sometimes at night you might have to get up early in the morning but you may feel inspired or unable to sleep for some reason. You can always lie there in bed and practise your mantra until you fall asleep. Good practice!

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

Many people ask Amma; ‘How can I make my meditation more deeper.’ Amma invariably answers; ‘That the mind talks all day. Since it talks all day why not have something to talk about that will help us meditate better? Because when we begin our meditation, all the thoughts we have during the day we will take to our meditation. It would be nice to have two separate minds. One for meditation and another for our daily thoughts. But it does not work that way. We have one mind and the thoughts we have in that mind are all brought along with us to our meditations.’ Therefore, since the mind will be chattering all day long why not have it talk of something that is helpful for our meditation. A mantra has this purpose. We can get a mantra from Amma or a Master that will help us guide our thoughts to be helpful during meditation. We can chant this mantra silently and daily, all thru the day to help us in our meditation and spiritual practice.

[kingfisher111]

from: https://nisargayoga.org/nisargadatta-maharaj-explains-spiritual-practice/

on the teachings of Nisargadatta Maharaj:



Chanting: Silently reciting the name of a chosen deity, or a mantra (secret set of words given by a Guru), while paying attention to the breath. A mantra is usually given during the initiation of a seeker. Since mind and breath are closely related, prana – the life force, is thus purified. The mantra gets personified. This leads to dissolution of the mind and results in a state of samadhi (yogic inner trance)…

Meditation: For purification of the mind, dhyana or meditation, is the best practice. After waking up and before going to bed, meditate for half an hour. This is what Maharaj used to prescribe:

Sit steady with the back erect. Contemplate on: ‘I am not the body. I am formless. I am self-illumined, pure consciousness’. Remain aware of pure consciousness without words till you forget yourself while still awake. Do not visualize any deity, or chant any name. Just ‘TO BE’ and to remain steady with the awareness ‘I AM’ is the beginning and end of spiritual practice.

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

Thanks Art, I will add something I heard Amma say as well;

A mantra can be used all day long. This will help us not deplete our mental resources so that when we set down you will be more focused and your mind will not be on past memories and future difficulties~Amma

I personally find a lot of support in friends like you and Eric who are constantly here reminding me of my true purpose being here this incarnation and of my continued practice. A true friend is someone that supports his or her friends in their highest aspirations.