mantra help

[tiki_god7]

so I have recently fell in love with the teachings of Ram Dass and now my every thought is consumed with some aspect of meditation but I have a couple questions that I could use some help with.
First of all can somebody spell out the pronunciation of 'Om mani padme hum'
I'd hate to spend hours repeating it the wrong way

Secondly when I spend my time repeating the mantra silently to myself (during times when saying it aloud is inappropriate) I get to a point where repeating the mantra is like second nature, it just happens in the back of my head while another stream of thought floats freely. Now whenever that does happen I try to catch myself asap and put it back on the Om so what I 'm wondering is is the wondering of my mind normal for a beginner and is it like a ploy of the ego to keep a solid hold on me that will eventually fade with practice??

[GanjaPrince]

Hi friend,

I also fell in love with Ram Dass, really into him for a few years now... I just went to see him in May, he far exceeded my expectations, beautiful energy, and so human yet so divine... At the end we got a hug, and there was no me, no him, we were one, in total love, I was in ecstasy, out of body and out of time, just floating in this void, then we parted, I collapsed into this chair that this women helped me into, and cried my eyes out, so much bliss and healing... I felt Neem Karoli Baba's presence with us all, everywhere!

Om
(ohm)Ma
(mah)Ni
(nee)Pad
(pahd)Me
(may)Hum
(hum)

Check out http://dharma-haven.org/tibetan/meaning-of-om-mani-padme-hung.htm

You can find a place where you can hear people saying it, if you have real audio or wav files!



Keep the mantra going!

[BlackBillBlake]

Secondly when I spend my time repeating the mantra silently to myself (during times when saying it aloud is inappropriate) I get to a point where repeating the mantra is like second nature, it just happens in the back of my head while another stream of thought floats freely. Now whenever that does happen I try to catch myself asap and put it back on the Om so what I 'm wondering is is the wondering of my mind normal for a beginner and is it like a ploy of the ego to keep a solid hold on me that will eventually fade with practice??
Its quite usual to experience this tendency of the consciousness to wander in the early phases of this type of meditation or Japa. The repitition, it is said, can be done out loud, silently, or mentally, as you describe. It is often useful, if circumstances allow, to begin out loud, move to silent repitition, and finally, to mental repitition.
But the idea of 'mental' repitition of the mantra can also lead to a certain misconception. The fact is that the Japa, to be fully effective, has to come from a place deep inside the heart, The vibration has to be established throughout, at every level of the being. In this way, the Divine Name can carry us to regions high above the ordinary mind. This is described by many yogis and seers - and can be experienced.
But there are no hard and fast rules here - the great thing is to say the mantras and see what the results are. But persistence is necessary - results do come, but it can and does take time.
Hope this is helpful.

Om Shanti!

[Bhaskar]

Bill explained it really well. Id also bear in mind that mere repetition alone will have no effect whatsoever. Your thought must focus on the meaning of those words, feel them and be involved in them.

My way of maintaining that focus is offering it to the Lord. I try to visualise Guruji's feet and each repetition of the mantra as a flower offered in puja to him. That makes it very intense and beautiful, at the same time holding my attention on the mantra, not allowing the mind to wander.

[BlackBillBlake]

Bill explained it really well. Id also bear in mind that mere repetition alone will have no effect whatsoever. Your thought must focus on the meaning of those words, feel them and be involved in them.

My way of maintaining that focus is offering it to the Lord. I try to visualise Guruji's feet and each repetition of the mantra as a flower offered in puja to him. That makes it very intense and beautiful, at the same time holding my attention on the mantra, not allowing the mind to wander.
Thanks as always Bhaskar for you kind words.

What you say about your method of saying japa is just beautiful :)

Love,

BBB.

[Bhaskar]

The only true love is love of the divine.

[BlackBillBlake]

The only true love is love of the divine.
In truth, there is only ONE LOVE in all these worlds - and beyond them!