Anyone got any tips for mantra meditation? Is it more effective or "better" than other forms of meditation? Is "AUM" a good one to start with?
oooo I remember stuff about about mantra meditation. A mantra is a focusing device used to block out disturbing mental noise, like a sheild against silly annoying thoughts. It can also focus all your energy on a single purpose. While that's well and good, I think it's aplicability is limited. I wouldn't say it's got its pros and cons like anything else. Good if your mind is prone to wandering methinks. You can use anything as a mantra, anything that rings true for you. Some people combine sound based energy work with mantras, I wouldn't bother with that unless you're into it. Really anything from "Om" to "She sells sea shells" is a fine mantra to start with.
I teach mantra meditation here - http://members.cox.net/mahakali/ Free. So I enter into teaching through email with new meditators - for their benefit.
It depends on the mantra, the teachers realization, and the technique, and the follow up to the practice. Aum is not a shakti dhyana bija mantra for experiencing turiya or samadhi. Therefore there will be no flow or bliss from using Aum.
\ OMG that was such an intense post. Can you explain it? Because I really wish I knew what that meant.
Simple. Seed syllables are divided into two categories of Siva and Sakti. Siva mantras are Aum, and Sakti are Em. Em mantras will raise kundalini, but wait, don't go run off and make one. There already are some great ones that will woork every time if you approach the Dvine Mother Mahaparashakti. Some feel her sometimes. She is the Gayatri, Savitri, Sophia, Sri Rajarajeshwari the Bindu Princess of the Sri Chakra. Mahakali. Mahalakshmi. Christ? Anyway, Shakti is the Holy Spirit and She is absolution for everything in formless bliss which is realization and compassion its very self. What a great meditation object. Only tantrics know this. I tell you because while the essence the knowledge here was tip of the iceberg and so not for some vapid experimentation. A pretty good shakti mantra for eveyone is hring hring hring There I could not lie and gave away a lifetimes knowledge of tantra in two seconds. Please use wisely. btw h=space which controls and is good for all elements, ri=fire which generally is rajasic and harmonizing to all elements, ng/m=Ma the mother. E=the seed Ng/M=The Mother r=expansion as in Sri the Glorious
Om is a goog mantra to start with. another good mantra isa Gayatri mantra but it is a little long: I thought you may like the book" Eternity of Sound and Escience of Mantra" . It is a translation of a book by a great spiritual master from Inida and can be downloaded from literature section of the main website of All world Gayatri Pariwar: http://www.awgp.org/gamma/LiteratureEnglish The books has great insites on hte scientific aspects of mantra chanting. hope you like it.. If you need, I probably may be able to find more references like such from other authors..
I use and like AUM for daily mantra meditation. For me, the sound is comfortable, and spiritually for me it represents the one-ness of everything. I actually used to use "one" as a mantra, but AUM drew me as more spiritual and universal. As far as effectiveness, I don't think it matters too much what mantra you use or if you even use a mantra (e.g. focusing on in-breath, out-breath) ... I think what I find useful is bringing my mind to focus on one point, fixed, for the time of the sitting. It is very liberating to learn that your mind does not need to be tossed around like a cork in the ocean, and the more I practice it, the more peace and self-control I feel. Peace, Ryvr
Oooo I remember stuff about about mantra meditation. A mantra is a focusing device used to block out disturbing mental noise, like a sheild against silly annoying thoughts. It can also focus all your energy on a single purpose. While that's well and good, I think it's applicability is limited. I wouldn't say it's got its pros and cons like anything else. Good if your mind is prone to wandering methinks. You can use anything as a mantra, anything that rings true for you. Some people combine sound based energy work with mantras, I wouldn't bother with that unless you're into it. Really anything from "Om" to "She sells sea shells" is a fine mantra to start with. That's what I need. Does anybody know of any mantra places in Arizona?
For me my life and the way I live with myself becomes the reflection of what I am meditating on, and thinking of. To reach within my center, being truthful, and open awakens a vulnerability that teaches you awareess, and how to walk within the synchronicity, and flow of Being. We are here to grow. To reach beyond ourselves. To understand, and reach yet higher. Often what works for one does not work for another. Thus the frustrations. I walk better than I sit. Either way I am inside my own reflections. What you are striving for, and the fires within you will show what you need to get where you are going. all else becomes a distraction. All else becomes a teacher as well.
Is Ammachi the name of a female spiritual guru? I have this book called the "Mystic Christ" by Ethan Walker, and he attributes a lot of his spiritual awakening to the fact that he met this woman Ammachi. Is that who you're talking about?
But this place Devi Mandir, where reside Shree Ma, and Swami Satyananda Saraswati is also above reproach. In a day and age where many cults will try to sell anything, you can trust them as representing the time honored Vedic tradition. It's best to find lineages which go back centuries as they have stood the test of time and have much wisdom for dealing with any possible scenario. Plus you can ask the Swami questions, and he is a real, American swami, and he will really email you back. How cool is that? If you have questions about Ammachi I have a friend who coordinates her tours in the Iowa area so if you PM me I'll put you in touch.
She doesn't live in Iowa. She tours there because they have the remnants of Maharishi's cult still there numbering about a thousand people into Hindu things. Pretty much all Hindu groups tour through Fairfield, Iowa.
