Mantra definition

Mantras are sacred words or texts which were written down in Sanskrit (the oldest classic language from India) A mantra is a combination of holy syllables which together combine into a core of spiritual energy. This energy functions as a magnet for attracting and uniting spiritual vibrations. The syllable 'man' in Mantra means "thinking" in Sanskrit. Tra originates from 'trai' and can mean "to protect against" or "to liberate". Thus Mantra means as much as "thinking that liberates and protects."

Mantras are vibration formulas which can be recited silently internal or sung aloud. Mantras appear in Sanskrit, but also in the Japanese, Chinese en Tibetan languages. Hein Braat’s definiotion of a mantra is a universal sound, a frequency that can open unexpected door in ones consciousness. Mantras are used for many purposes, like

opening the heart, increasing ones perceptivity, reaching higher states of awareness, bring about healing or to weaken the effects of bad karma. Mantras can be recited aloud or silently and pure mentally which makes it possible to consciously experience the illuminating and blissful nature of the spirit. By reciting mantras or repeating ground notes it is possible to silence the continuous mental activities of the ego and bring ones energy system into one unity of creative vibrations, overcome negative mental patterns, deepen ones breathing into a rhythmic pattern, stabilize consciousness, refresh the stressed nervous system shortly and connecting the energy system to a higher frequency of vibrations. This can all be accomplished with a minimum of effort and ego awareness during practice.


Japa: repeat, repeat, and again…

Japa means frequent repeating of a mantra and is often applied in Hinduism. As an aid to this practitioners use a bead string with 108 beads and one big bead (the guru bead). The devotee who applies japa let the beads pass through his fingers one by one while repeating the mantra. When the devotee has done 108

repetitions, he or she can do another cycle by turning the string around. By applying japa the practitioner can attain a high state of concentration or samadhi which enables him to penetrate deeply in the idea or deity concealed within a mantra. The traditional Hindu schools put great emphasis on the exact pronunciation and sounds of the mantra because they are capable of awakening the pranas or spiritual forces that lay dormant in the cakras. Next to Hinduism prayer strings are used Sufism in which the 99 excellent names of Allah are recited. Also in Christianity prayer strings are used for repeating the Jesus prayer or Hail Mary.

Mantra in other traditions

Transcendental Meditation, better known as 'TM', utilizes, in their own words, simple mantras as a focus point for meditation. TM was developed by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the sixties and has known many followers ever since which benefit from it for various reasons: relaxation, less stress, better health and self image. Thanks to the accessibility of mantras many New Age groups and individuals have picked it up enthusiastically, even though from the perspective of Hindus and Buddhists it lacks the necessary depth. According to these traditional schools the mere repetition of syllables does have a calming effect on the mind, but for them true mantra practice is aimed at transforming ones consciousness.