What is mantra meditation?
Mantra meditation is a type of meditation that involves the repetition of a particular word or phrase, known as a mantra. Mantras can only be chosen from authentic vedic scriptures. When the right mantra is chanted, it can have a profound impact on the mind, body, and spirit, and can help individuals to connect with the divine energy that pervades the universe. It create a powerful transcendental vibration that can purify the mind and elevate the consciousness of the practitioner.
During mantra meditation, the practitioner sits comfortably with their eyes closed and focuses their attention on the sound and vibration of the chosen mantra as they repeat it silently to themselves. The repetition of the mantra helps to quiet the mind and bring about a state of deep relaxation and inner calm.
Which mantra is best for meditation?
The Hare Krishna mantra is considered to be the most powerful and effective mantra for meditation, as it can help individuals to connect with God and attain spiritual realization.
Hare Krishna mantra is not an ordinary sound vibration, but rather a divine sound that represents the essence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The mantra consists of three words: Hare, Krishna, and Rama, which are considered to be the spiritual energies of God.
The word “Hare” refers to the feminine aspect of the divine, the word “Krishna” refers to the all-attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the word “Rama” refers to the reservoir of all pleasure. By chanting this mantra with devotion and sincerity, individuals can purify their mind, heart, and consciousness and develop a deep connection with God.
Regular chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra can have a transformative effect on the practitioner, helping them to overcome material desires and attachments and attain spiritual liberation. The mantra is considered to be the most effective way to cultivate love for God and develop a deep spiritual relationship with Him.
How to do mantra meditation?
Doing Hare Krishna mantra meditation is a simple and powerful practice that can be done by anyone, regardless of their spiritual or religious background.
Here are the basic steps to do Hare Krishna Mantra meditation:
- Find a quiet and peaceful place where you can sit comfortably and concentrate without any distractions.
- Hold a set of japa mala, which is a string of 108 beads used for counting the number of times you chant the mantra.
- Begin by focusing your mind on the sound and vibration of the mantra. The mantra is: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare”.
- Start chanting the mantra by gently touching each bead of the japa mala with your fingers while repeating the mantra in your mind or out loud. Chant one mantra on each bead, moving to the next bead with each repetition until you have completed the full round of 108 beads.
- While chanting, try to focus your mind on the sound and vibration of the mantra, and avoid getting distracted by other thoughts or noises.
- After completing a full round of japa mala, you can continue chanting for as long as you like or for a specific amount of time that suits your schedule.
- Conclude your chanting session by offering your respects to God and expressing gratitude for the opportunity to engage in this spiritual practice.
Remember that the most important thing is to chant the Hare Krishna mantra with sincerity and devotion, focusing your mind on the sound and vibration of the mantra and allowing it to purify your heart and consciousness.
What is the purpose of the mantra during meditation?
The purpose of a mantra during meditation is to help focus the mind and cultivate a deeper level of concentration and spiritual awareness. A mantra is a sound, word, or phrase that is repeated during meditation to aid in the process of achieving a state of mental calmness and spiritual realization.
By repeating a mantra during meditation, individuals can create a pattern of vibrations that can have a positive effect on the mind and body, helping to calm the nervous system and reduce stress and anxiety. The repetition of a mantra can also help to quiet the mind and redirect thoughts away from distractions and towards a more spiritual focus.
Furthermore, mantras have a powerful effect on the consciousness of the practitioner, helping to purify the mind, elevate the spirit, and connect with the divine. The sound vibration of the mantra is believed to resonate with the spiritual energy of the universe, allowing individuals to tap into a higher level of consciousness and experience a deeper sense of inner peace and spiritual fulfillment.
What mantra to use for transcendental meditation?
The Hare Krishna mantra, also known as the Maha Mantra, is a 16-word mantra that is best suitable for transcendental meditation that goes like this: “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.”
Chanting this mantra continuously puts one into the transcendental state called as Vishuddha Sattva guna which is above the 3 modes of material nature namely
- Mode of Goodness (Sattva Guna)
- Mode of passion (Rajoguna)
- Mode of ignorance (Tamoguna)
How to choose a mantra for meditation?
Choosing a mantra for meditation is an important process that can impact your whole life. Don’t fictitiously choose some mantra and start chanting. Before choosing the mantra you need to be clear about the end goal you want to achieve.
End goal could be of 2 types:
- To get temporary material happiness
- To get permanent spiritual happiness
So aim for permanent happiness and wisely choose the mantra accordingly. Also the mantra you chose should be mentioned in vedic scriptures and check if it is easy to practise in this disturbed age or not.
