What is Mantra Meditation?

The Vedic Viewpoint and Other Spiritual Perspectives

Mantra-Yoga or Meditation is found in almost every spiritual path in the world. It may be softly spoken in repeated prayer, or mantra, or it may be congregationally singing of spiritual songs, prayers, or holy names of God. In the Eastern tradition it is called Mantra Yoga because it is the easy process of focusing the mind on the Supreme, which helps spiritualize our consciousness. Man means mind and tra, means deliver. Spiritual mantra is the pure sound vibration for delivering the mind form all material miseries and brings one to the spiritual platform, which is the goal of all spiritual paths. In this age called Kali Yuga or the Iron Age of quarrel and hypocrisy. The most recommended process for this age is the chanting of the holy names of the Supreme God also known as Krishna, Allah, Jehovah, Rama, Vishnu, etc. God is one but He has unlimited names which describe His unlimited qualities, unlimited forms and unlimited past times. Though He has unlimited names the most recommended combination of names for the quickest spiritual advancement is the Maha Mantra. (The Great Mantra for deliverance) i.e.: Deliverance from suffering and illusion.

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna KrishnaKrishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

This mantra can quickly purify ones consciousness, give spiritual enlightenment and put one in direct touch with the Supreme.

As far as other practices such as raising the kundaline energy by the various chakras and meditating on the void, becomes useless as soon as there is the slightest distraction. The Vedas proclaim that the most effective way to focus the consciousness is to concentrate on the sound vibration of the MahaMantra.

OM is the sound representation of the Lord. Krishna explains in the Bhagavad-Gita (10.25) that He is the transcendental Om mantra. Om is the beginning, middle and the end and beyond all material restrictions and contaminations. This OmKara is generally chanted by those engaged in mystic yoga processes. Chanting Vedic Verses also includes chanting Om because Om is the seed mantra at the beginning of many verses or other mantras. Chanting Om and controlling the breath is mostly a mechanical way of controlling ones mind, and it is explained after many lifetimes of practice on gradually comes to the highest spiritual platform. It was the process recommended for other ages but in the age of Kali or the iron age of quarrel and hypocrisy it is not practical because of the necessity for complete and utter focus without any sense gratification and rigid rules and regulations to follow.

The Hare Krishna Maha mantra is especially meant for counteracting the ill effects of the present age. ( Kali-santarava Upanishad) All other mantras are compressed into the Hare Krishna Mantra. (Narada-Pancaratra)

The reason that chanting the Lords names is so effective is because the Supreme Lord and His names are identical. One is in immediate contact with God when they chant His names. If we chant someone else's name we do not have their association because the name and the person are not identical. If one chants "water, water, water," their thrust does not become quenched because the word water and the actual water are different. In the Spiritual world everything is absolute. Krishna is no different from His name and there for we can feel His presence simply by chanting His name.

The process is simple. Buy or make a set of beads with 108. A rosary will also be sufficient. Hold the beads in the right hand and between thumb and middle finger, thumb one bead toward you- (one bead for one full mantra.) Say it loud enough to hear each syllable, generally spoken quickly. It generally takes eight to ten minutes per 108 mantras. One can sit or walk with the beads there are no hard rules but the main thing is to focus the mind on the sound vibration. This is called Japa, and to sing the mantra is called Kirtan. One should try to increase the number of rounds as they progress. It is recommended to chant at least sixteen rounds a day to make rapid spiritual advancement. (it takes a little over two hours)

This process is meant for everyone; it is not sectarian nor is Krishna a Hindu God. He is the Supreme God and Krishna is His original Name. Hare is the is His feminine counterpart and spiritual energy and Rama is His pleasure potency. The potency of all of His names is within the maha mantra, no matter what religion. Give it a try, it can only help.

By Jayasri Radha

Much of the information was taken from Stephen Knapps' Website below.

For complete details on Chanting the Maha mantra and other mantras go to www.stephen-knapp.com/chanting_hare_krishna.htm