Experience
Most mantra’s have extensive descriptions, but Hein Braat emphasizes that these meanings are also relative. Originally mantras are holy, inspired words, but subsequently it is up to the individual who attaches a special meaning to it. What appeals to one, may mean nothing to another. As mentioned in the article on ground note, every person has his own natural sound and the mantra that approaches this sound will bring this person into ecstasy.
Although there is a big diversity of mantras, five big Mantras stand out, like the 'Aum mani padme hum' which has a strong inherent impact. According to Hein this can be compared with the law of resonance. Since so many people repeated this mantra for centuries on end, putting all of their inspiration into it, it has rooted firmly in the collective sub consciousness of man. By tuning into such a mantra, one can eventually hear and connect with these uni-versal powers and qualities* and express them in daily life. Thus one could say that the sound or mantra already exists in the spirit. Just like a radio that needs to be tuned to a certain frequency, one can also tune one's body to this special cosmic frequency in order to resonate these energies and qualities in ones whole being.
Although skeptics usually roar their own objecting mantra that first things need to be proven scientifically, one cannot really prove this subtle vibrations with a scientific approach because it goes beyond the duality of thinking, thus transcending all know-ledge. Science implies an observer and an object to observe. But just like meditation the devotee is so absorbed by the mantra that he loses himself in the process. Or like Jesus put it: "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." Yoga and reciting mantras are experience sciences in which Gurus and masters can show you the way, but eventually it all comes down to one’s own experience. And experience just cannot be shared in words. Or, as it is stated in the Kena Upanishad:
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The eye does not go thither, nor speech, nor mind. We do not know, we do not understand, how anyone can teach it. |
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* Several scientists have done ground-breaking research on the influence of universal powers. Absolute recommends are the works of CG Jung on the collective subconsciousness and Rupert Sheldrake on morphogenetic fields.