About Meditation Power Words

Meditation power words, more commonly known as mantras, are ways to enliven and deepen meditation practice. Mantras are used to create resonant vibrations within one's being and to connect with a seeker's notion of the Ultimate Source of Reality. All of the world's religions and spiritual traditions practice some form of mantra meditation, some more overt than others.

History

Hindus and Buddhists practice the best known and most easily recognizable forms of mantras. Ancient Vedic (Hindu) and Buddhist sacred texts teach followers the power and value of mantras. In the Vedas, The Hymn to the Sun, also known as the Gayatri Mantra, is a powerful prayer for protection. Buddhist meditation power words carry over from Buddhism's Hindu roots. Chanting "aum," or "om," which represents the sound of the Universe and all Reality is considered to be particularly spiritually efficacious for Hindus and Buddhists alike. Less ancient, but no less revered, is the Christian Jesus Prayer, as introduced in "The Way of the Pilgrim," a text of Russian folklore. For indigenous peoples, chanting sacred sounds and words accompanied important rituals.

Significance

Although the details that attend each spiritual tradition's use of mantras differ, all seem to share similarities. The first and most basic similarity is the belief that the sound of certain letters or words establishes a vital connection with one's Creator or ultimate Source. The sound of "aum" in Hindu and Buddhist traditions, for example, signifies the very sound of creation. When a Christian intones the Jesus Prayer ("Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have mercy on me, a sinner") in preparation for Centering Prayer or by itself, he allows the truth that is Christ to flow and radiate throughout his being.

Benefits

Regardless of the form one's chanting or prayer takes, one seeks to either create or receive certain effects. All religious traditions urge followers to release attachments to material reality, to strive for whatever it is that lies beyond sensory life. To chant the Gayatri Mantra is to surround oneself with protection from all harm, bring powers to oneself and to instill surrender in the soul. Chanting "aum" on a regular basis creates serenity in the mind and heart. One enters into communion with all creation and is released from illusion and rebirth. When one recites the Jesus Prayer, one creates a space for God's grace to enter and to free oneself from the barriers to a God-centered existence.

Considerations

Regardless of religious affiliation, always approach mantras with respect and reverence, for these are considered sacred and not to be used lightly. Consider asking a religious master or teacher for guidance. In some cases--Transcendental Meditation, for example--a teacher gives the student a unique mantra. When making a decision to meditate with the use of mantras, understand that this is an undertaking that will continue for a lifetime. With the appropriate attitude and sincere desire, using meditation power words can bring lasting rewards that benefit one's whole being.

Misconceptions

Perhaps the greatest misconception about mantras is rooted in the Western adaptation of mantras. In their pure forms, mantras are sacred utterances that affect a believer's communion with the Divine. Meditation power words help a seeker to find ultimate meaning in the midst of life's confusion and complexity. Mantras, therefore, are not merely means to relieve stress or for relaxation. Certainly, mantras bring these effects, but it is not the central aim. One truth is certain: to practice mantra recitation is a journey into the deepest aspects of being and beyond the limits of the physical body.

Resources

• Gayatri Mantra
• OM with Audio
• The Jesus Prayer