Mantra for Beginners - 3

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Mantra for Beginners - 3

 

Continued

 

When we conduct training programmes in the corporate sector the first

step is to identify the section of the employees to whom the

programme is addressed. Once that is done you design the programme to

suit their needs. Then you call only those employees who satisfy the

basic requirements. In courses on Spirituality this is not always

done. There is no pre requisite qualification for attending a course.

Some people like Maharshi Mahesh Yogi have understood the problem and

have designed courses. But generally it is not done.

 

When I met my Guruji for the first time, he almost threw me out. I

was looking for a particular mantra for initiation and he flatly said

it is not possible. After a number of visits over a period of two

years one fine morning, he said, " Here is your Mantra. Take it ".

His evaluation took nearly two years. During this period he taught me

the rituals of Tantra and also advised me time and again about what

the mantra can do to my day-to-day life.

 

My Guruji blesses everyone with words like Sarva sowbagyam etc. But

he has always blesses myself and my wife with only "May you get

Siddhi of your Mantra."

 

At the end of all this verbiage what should be the plan of action for

beginners. In my opinion

 

1. If it is convenient for you to attend one of the various courses

please do. But check up whether the course meets with your

requirements and your attitude towards religion, God, and

spirituality. If you are a Bhakta at heart and you go to an Ashram

and get initiation into a Vedantic Mantra you will have problems. If

you are a devotee of Vishnu and are initiated with Om Namah Sivaya

there will be problems. It will take a long time for the Guru/Teacher

to understand you and give the appropriate mantra. This is done for

renunciates. But for an ordinary person it is a time consuming

process and even if you are prepared to wait, your Guru/Teacher may

not have the time.

 

2. If you have problems will you get after sales service? Many

problems are solved by discussion with Guru Bhais. That is people who

have the same Guru/Teacher and practice the same kind of meditation.

If you have a community then you can discuss and get help. People who

belong to other traditions will not understand your problem even if

they are adepts in their path.

 

3. If you do not find a course of your choice or liking then follow

the Sadhana laid down by Swami Sivananda. In the words of Swamiji

 

" Easy method of Sadhana in worldly environment

 

Here I, present a very easy method of Sadhana by which, he can attain

consciousness even while he is living in the world amidst

multifarious activities. You need not have a separate room and time

for meditation. Close your eyes for a minute or two once in every two

or three hours and think of God and His Divine Qualities such as

Mercy, Love, Peace, Joy, Knowledge, Purity, Perfection and so forth

during work and repeat mentally Hari Om or Sri Ram, or Rama Rama or

Krishna Krishna or any Mantra according to your taste. You should do

this even during night time, whenever you happen to get up from bed

to pass urine or on any other account. Though you are unable to get

up during sleep specially for this purpose, you should do this

practice at least occasionally when you slightly change your posture

of sleep. This sort of habit will come only by practice. Feel that

the body is a moving temple of God, your office or business house is

a moving temple or Brindavan, and every activity, walking, talking,

writing, eating, breathing, seeing, hearing etc., are offerings unto

the Lord. Work is worship. Work is meditation. "

 

Here the mantra is not any esoteric mantra. It should only be a

simple mantra used in Nama Japa or prayer.

 

For Bhakthas of MAA I would advise the following prayer as Mantra

 

" Sarvamangala Mangalye , Shive, Sarvartha sadhake,

Saranye Thrayambake Gowri Narayani Namosdhudhe "

 

You do not need a Guru and no side effects.

 

You do this simple Sadhnaa and Japa/meditation with simple mantras.

You will get a Guru if a Guru is necessary for your spiritual

advancement.

 

In my next post I will write about meditation and its effects.

 

I was just thinking that it would be a good idea to do japa while

waiting for the web page to download. (For people like me who have

only a 56 K modem connection).

 

Sankar