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5/13/2017 Meditating with Mantras If you've ever bееn to a yoga class that ended in Om chants, chances are you've used a mantra. Meant as a way tо increase life energy, increase personal power and calm the mind, mantras have bееn used for thousands of years as part of Hindu and Buddhist meditation. There are many mantras throughout Eastern religious texts, but you can make up your own. Thе repetition of the syllables can enhance your meditation by aurally stimulating your chakras and producing vibrations that help stir up your energies.
Om Thе most famous mantra is Om, the root of all mantras and the primordial vibration manifestation of Brahma. Pronounced correctly, the mouth begins in an open, round shape and gradually closes like an iris to produce the buzzing "mmmm" sound at the end. Thе open "ooohhh" sound sends a vibration into the external space, and the "mmmm" sound retains the vibrations inside. The "ooohhh" sound is usually a single count, while the "mmmm" sound is sustained as long as the breath holds out. Om is not a shortened version of Om mani padme hum, contrary tо popular belief. Om is an ancient Hindu mantra, while Om mani padme hum is a Tibetan Buddhist mantra associated with the Dalai Lama and popularized in the U.S. during the 1970's. Om mani padme hum is an effective mantra in its own right, used as a chant for compassion, but it is not the root оf аll mantras like the original Om. Gods and Goddesses Mantras can also be used tо commune with a particular deity during your meditation session. Both Hindu and Buddhist mantras feature specific chants said tо connect with a particular deity/aspect. Om Namah Shivayah is the chant to Shiva, and Om Namo Narayanaya is the chant fоr Vishnu. All of the major Hindu gods and goddesses have their own mantras, so consult the Lakshmi Tantra, Parasurama Kalpa Sutra and Prapanchasara for specific chants. Prayers Hindus also have longer mantras that are more like prayers. They are chanted in the same monotone, measured voice, but they are directed more specifically toward аn action rather than a deity. Here's an example: Sarveśām Svastir Bhavatu / Sarveśām Sāntir Bhavatu / Sarveśām Pūrnam Bhavatu / Sarveśām Mangalam Bhavatu Translated as: May good befall all, / May there be peace for аll / May all be fit for perfection, / May all experience that which is auspicious. Deity Aspect In Tibetan Buddhism, Buddha is all - simply represented in different aspects rather than entirely separate deities. As such, the salutation-type mantras of Buddhism are all addressed to Buddha, but zone in more specifically on whichever aspect you are hoping to reach. Om wagishwari hum honors Buddha’s wisdom aspect, and the aforementioned Om mani padme hum honors his compassion aspect. There is a mantra for each aspect of Buddha, plus the most important figures in Buddhism, so consult your favorite Buddhist Sutra. Om tare tuttare ture svaha is a chant to the Mother оf Buddhas, and is considered one of the world’s most powerful chants, possessing tremendous purifying and healing properties. Create Your Own If established mantras aren’t for you, make up your own. After аll, a mantra can only bе effective if it connects with you on a very basic level. When planning your new mantra, it may be best to play around with sounds until you hit on something that produces vibrations that move you - they don’t necessarily have to be words at all. What matters is the intent and the vibration, because those are the things that affect the chakras. Don’t make the mistake of turning mantras into wish-fulfillment. Don’t just recite your goals to yourself over and over - that would bе an affirmation, not a mantra. Although affirmations can be useful in building confidence and reinforcing willpower, they won’t have a deeper, more meaningful effect because stringing words together into a sentence rarely creates the textural feel оf the sound necessary to assist meditation. 7/27/2016 4 Yoga Mudras to Practice Mudra is a Sanskrit word which means ‘to lock’ or ‘to seal’. The word ‘mudra’ signifies hand gestures, or even symbols. Mudras are an integral part of a yoga practice in that they enable you to control the flow of prana, or the life force, thereby making you more energetic and full of vitality. In addition to this, mudras help you lock energy inside your body so that you can utilize it, rather than letting it dissipate. There are 25 major mudras in Yoga. Mudras are not just hand gestures, but can also be done with the eyes, body postures or take the form of cleansing rituals. The gestures themselves are symbolic of various states of consciousness. However, certain gestures can lead to the state of consciousness that they represent. So, practicing a mudra can alter your state of consciousness.
It is believed that by bringing together the fingers of the hand you call upon the energy of the elements that those fingers represent, and these energies can heal your body, mind and soul. Our hands and feet contain more nerves and endocrine glands than any other part of our bodies. Mudras can be enhanced with breathing exercises, meditation, mantras, color, affirmations and music. The thumb is associated with the fire element, the lung meridian and the planet Mars and represents willpower and logic. The index finger is associated with the air element, the stomach meridian and the planet Jupiter. It represents the mind and the power of thought. The middle finger is associated with the ether element, the circulation and gallbladder meridians and the planet Saturn. It represents our spiritual path. The ring finger is associated with the earth element, the liver meridian and the sun (or Apollo, the sun god). It represents vitality and health. The little finger is associated with the water element, the heart meridian and the planet Mercury. It represents communication, sexuality and personal relationships. The Practice Always make sure that you don’t apply too much pressure and always keep your hands relaxed when practicing the mudras. Mudras can be done while you’re seated, standing or even lying down. Your body and mind should feel relaxed and centered. There is no specific time to practice mudras. Whatever time you choose, you need to be able to relax and withdraw into yourself. This can be before or after eating, as soon as you wake up, or right before you go to sleep. Always plan your mudras depending on what you need. Practice one or two mudras consistently for a few weeks. Monitor the effects of these mudras on your body. You will see that as things change in your body, you will see a corresponding change in your life as well. Here are 4 of the many mudras: Chin Mudra: This gesture symbolizes the connected nature of human consciousness. The circle formed by the index finger and thumb represents the true goal of yoga – the merging of the individual soul with the universal soul, or the soul of God. The nail of the index finger is placed into the first joint of the thumb. The last three fingers always face down towards the earth in this mudra. It is a gesture of receiving. When the finger touches the thumb a circuit is produced which allows the energy that would normally dissipate into the environment to travel back into the body, and up to the brain. Hridaya Mudra: From a seated meditation posture with the head and spine straight, place the tips of the index fingers at the root of the thumbs and join the tips of the middle and ring fingers to the tips of the thumbs. The little finger remains straight. Place the hands on the knees with the palms facing upward. Close the eyes and relax the whole body, keeping the body motionless. This mudra diverts the flow of energy from the hands to the heart area, improving the heart’s vitality. The middle and ring fingers relate directly to the energy channels connected with the heart, while the thumb closes the energy circuit and acts as an energizer, diverting the flow of energy from the hands to these energy channels. The heart gesture mudra helps to release pent-up emotion and unburdens the heart. Aadi Mudra: (primal or first gesture) this mudra is made by curling the fingers around the thumb making a very light fist. It has a soothing influence on the mind and is said to positively influence breathing. Aadi mudra can be very useful in savasana at the end of asana practice to quiet the nervous system. Lotus Mudra: This mudra opens the heart chakra and is a symbol of purity. The message of the lotus mudra is to stay connected to your roots, open yourself to the light and realize that the greatest sense of steadiness in life is an open heart. Lotus Mudra drains out misunderstanding, helps to release tension, and is also practiced to enhance the fire element in the body. It is a great reminder of the beauty and grace that is within you and those around you. 6/29/2016 Om Namaha Shivaya The Sanskrit salutation “Om namah shivaya” ( pronounced as Aum Num-ha Shi-why), can be translated as: "I bow to Shiva." Shiva is the supreme reality, the inner Self. It is the name given to consciousness that dwells in all. Shiva is the name of your true identity- your self. Each of us has unlimited possibilities stretched out ahead of us, regardless of who we are, where we live, what we do or how old we are. It’s interesting to take a moment to bow to the possibilities. Inevitably something specific leaps to mind. Perhaps a physical goal, some mental hurdle or maybe even a spiritual seeking comes into focus.
As Yogis, we try to step back from the chatter, the planning and the desire that comes up when we contemplate those possibilities. There is an art to acknowledging potential without becoming overwhelmed by it or chasing after it. The key is to stay present. We explore this on the mat by placing ourselves in different physical postures or using varied this in the safe environment of the Yoga space, we may find this skill naturally extending into the other areas of our lives so that we can experience the fullness of our potential while staying grounded in the present. Yoga offers you the opportunity to explore your potential in whatever aspect you choose; physically, emotionally, spiritually or any combination. Within Yoga there are a number of different styles and each one appeals to different people for different reasons. Yoga teaches us to be more present. As the Shiva force begins to manifest within us, it creates a certain pressure inside our minds and nervous systems for us to purify, to change, and to transcend. As we allow its currents to move, they will facilitate a deeper healing that dissolves our problems not merely suppressing them. Yoga helps us return to that path of previous great Yogis and sages whose blessings can guide us along the way, step by step. |
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