| Westerners tend to associate the practice of | | | | herself, or sings and chants it aloud with |
| yoga with the physical regimen of poses, | | | | others. Whenever the mind wanders, attention |
| stretches and breathing, commonly known as | | | | is brought back to the sound of the mantra. |
| hatha or astanga yoga. There is much more | | | | This can be done while using meditation beads |
| than this in the ancient art of yoga. | | | | (japa yoga), or in groups with musical |
| Meditation, specifically mantra meditation, | | | | instruments (kirtan). In time, with |
| is an integral part of the yogic tradition as | | | | practice, the practitioner is better able to |
| it helps bring the practitioner closer to the | | | | focus the mind on the transcendental sound |
| true and ultimate goal of yoga: union with | | | | and the mind has less of a tendency to |
| the Supreme.The Sanskrit word "yoga" means | | | | wander.The purpose of mantra meditation |
| "union" or to "link up with", specifically | | | | involves a fascinating philosophy. First of |
| referring to linking up with God or the | | | | all, it is believed that the names of God |
| Supreme Being. The practice of hatha and | | | | have a purifying effect on the consciousness. |
| astanga yoga is a preliminary process | | | | The body is seen as a temporary, material |
| designed to assist the yogi in controlling | | | | container, housing the spirit soul (one's |
| their senses to able to focus better on the | | | | true essence) and surrounded by a subtle |
| Supreme. Ultimately the practitioner is able | | | | material body, or the mind. The regular |
| to control and raise their life air through | | | | hearing and chanting of mantras is seen to |
| the chakras to attain union.A mantra is a | | | | help clear away the confusion and misery |
| sound vibration or specific series of words | | | | caused by identifying oneself with one's body |
| or sounds. The word "mantra" is derived from | | | | and mind.This false bodily identification is |
| the Sanskrit word "man" which means "mind" | | | | seen as the root of all pain and |
| and "tra" which means "to deliver from" or | | | | bewilderment. Imagine the spirit soul as a |
| "away". A mantra is therefore a sound | | | | brilliant, shining gemstone but one cannot |
| vibration that takes the mind away from the | | | | perceive this because it is covered by dirt |
| material and puts it on the spiritual. | | | | and dust. Mantras serve as a sort of |
| Hence, mantra meditation is often referred to | | | | transcendental polishing cloth, slowly taking |
| as "transcendental sound" because the sound | | | | away the dust so that the yogi can begin to |
| of the mantra transcends the material | | | | experience the true essence of the self - |
| world.Mantras are always derived from names | | | | eternal, full of knowledge and bliss!Mantra |
| of God or descriptions of attributes of the | | | | meditation is therefore an important aspect |
| Supreme Being. Thus, mantras often include | | | | of the process of self-realization. This is |
| Sanskrit names for God such as Rama, Chandra, | | | | the ultimate goal of yoga: the realization |
| Krishna and Siva. Also, Sanskrit terms such | | | | that we are spirit in essence, part and |
| as 'Hare" (referring to the energy of God) | | | | parcel of the Supreme Spirit. The more we |
| and "Shanti" (peace) are quite common.The | | | | progress on the path of yoga, the more |
| process of mantra meditation is quite simple. | | | | peaceful, blissful and loving we become. |
| The yogi focuses his attention on the sound | | | | This is spiritual life. |
| of the mantra and repeats it softly to him or | | | | |