Mantras.

 Where science meets the spiritual.

 A mantra (Devanāgarī: मन्त्र; Tib.སྔགས་ ngak; Wyl. sngags) [1] is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that is considered capable of “creating transformation” (cf. spiritual transformation).[2] Its use and type varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra.[3]

 I am not an expert on mantras, I just repeat hundreds of thousands of them!

 Mantras seem to have started in the Sanskrit language, in India. As Sanskrit is a spiritual language, the words are said to hold a power. The Tibetan language is based on Sanskrit, so that too holds a power. But probably any sound that holds a meaning can be used!

 A mantra consists of a number of short words of one or two syllables, which make it very easy to chant and memorise. That’s why Sanskrit is so useful. Whether it is psychological or literal, it work.

 Mantras are a very powerful tool, and work on many levels. Mantra works on the mind, body and subtle body. They can either be chanted out loud, or internally so that they can resonate in the body and the mind. The psychology of mantras works, as their repetition can remind the mind of certain qualities.

OM or AUM is fine to use. By the way, Sanskrit is built on the vowel sounds and modified by the shape of the mouth. In fact everything comes from the sound A! which is the natural sound of a baby, and some say it is the sound of the universe.

 Let’s take OM MANI PEME HUM.

This is a mantra to imbue compassion – our natural, innate compassion.

It means ‘Jewel in the Lotus’ – Emptiness in Compassion, which is Unconditional Compassion.

Knowing the full meaning is not necessary: one just needs a flavour. Sometimes, we get too bogged down in concepts. There is a hundred syllable mantra which clears negative action and thoughts, but I’ve never bothered to find out what every word means: I just understand the general meaning and it seems to work!

In certain practices, as one chants, one can also visualise.

What is interesting – and is the reason for writing this – is that, if one chants internally, one realises that one cannot think of two things at the same time! However. one can still visualise, and have all the senses open. Therefore we can cut through extraneous thoughts!

 Now this is the science, we cannot think of two things at the same time! So I’m wondering, if this is so, while chanting nothing else (accept the meaning of the mantra) can be transmitted to us!

 So. if you are having a problem with thoughts during meditation, try a mantra. Gradually slow the mantra down, a space will develop between the soundings. Then you may find that the sounding only needs to be made every now and again like hitting a bell. When the sound goes, resound.

 What is important in meditation is the space created, just to be. But sometime in meditation we need to engage the mind in something different, just for a change!

 Another point about mantra, is that it supplicate divine help. There are deities (enlightened beings) that have certain attributes, which are also within ourselves, so this helps enhance them. This is part of devotional practices. When we supplicate we receive blessings, or rather we are more open to them!

 Phat!!! (pronounced pheh!!! sharply) Is supposed to shake conceptual thinking, and put you straight back where you belong! Shout this several times if you are feeling sleepy.

 The mantra OM MANI PEME HUM is a supplication to the Lord of Compassion. Now that Lord can be any image we wish, it’s still Compassion!

 Om mani peme hum is actually the mantra of Chenrezi(g). The reason I mention this is that at death, and during the after death process, and just before taking a new incarnation, if one does not have a specific practice of any method, one can call on the ‘Lord of Compassion’.

 The point is, as we are driven by our karma we will not be sure of our next incarnation, unless we recognise all the stages of what is called the gaps between death and birth (Bardo). So, calling on the Lord of Compassion and seeing everything as ‘Unconditional Love’ and all potential couples in union as deities, then this pure intention will help for a positive incarnation.