MANTRA YOGA - CHAPTER 1 - POSTING # 3

[Guest guest]

Dear Varun

Unfortunately I do not have a webpage for you to see the entire book. With the permission of Shri Jay Lakhani, I shall, try and post a passage every day. That way, the continuity will not be so lost. Hope that helps. Once again I want to thank Shri Jay most sincerely for allowing me to do this.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Although this book leans heavily toward explaining Mantra Yoga from a Hindu perspective, mantras and the tradition of chanting mantras are not exclusive to Hinduism. Chapter Eleven details various traditions practicing the chanting of mantras. Perhaps the Hindu tradition is the oldest, but that does not mean that it is any superior to other traditions or that other traditions are any less effective. “As many paths, so many faiths”, say the Vedas (Hindu scriptures dating back over 5,000 years)

Having said that, let us now begin the study of Mantra Yoga.

A Mantra is a Mantra Because ...

At the outset, a mantra is deemed a mantra because a sage (or many sages), attained enlightenment through chanting that particular mantra. For example, many individuals have attained enlightenment from chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya.’ This mantra merely translates to ‘Salutations to Lord Shiva.’ Despite this rather mundane meaning, the efficacy of this mantra, through its vibrations, has stood the test of time.

Lord Shiva! That Great God of Renunciation! Each deity in Hinduism represents a certain state that we can relate to, rationalize. Lord Shiva represents a state of complete renunciation of desires. Shiva, it is said, burned to ashes every iota of desire, having realized the futility of pursuing ephemeral pleasures. That is why, He is usually depicted as being smeared in ashes, (representing desires burnt) almost naked and devoid of every worldly accoutrement.