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Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts

Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts: Encyclopedia II - Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts

Transcendental Meditation, also known simply as 'TM', uses simple mantras as a meditative focus. TM was founded by the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. According to the TM website (see below) the practice can result in a number of material benefits such as relaxation, reduced stress, better health, better self image; but it can also benefit the world by reducing violence and crime, and generally improve quality of life. The founder was well versed in Hindu tradition, but TM attempts to separate itself from ...

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Mantra, Mantra - Hare Krishna Maha Mantra, Mantra - Introduction, Mantra - Kirtan and Bhajan, Mantra - Lead me from Ignorance to Truth, Mantra - Mantra Japa, Mantra - Mantra in Buddhism, Mantra - Mantra in Hinduism, Mantra - Mantra in Indo-Tibetan Buddhism, Mantra - Mantra in Shingon Buddhism, Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts, Mantra - Mantras and Prayers, Mantra - Om mani padme hum, Mantra - Other examples, Mantra - Remarks, Mantra - Some Hindu mantras, Mantra - Some other mantras used by Tibetan Buddhists, Mantra - The Hindu Bija Mantra, Mantra - The Significance of the Symbol Om, Mantra - The shanti mantras, Mantra - Universal prayer, Mantra - Vedic Conception of Sound, Mantra - What is Dharma?, Hinduism, Hindu philosophy, Shingon Buddhism, sound symbolism, tantra, Vajrayana Buddhism

Mantra: Encyclopedia II - Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts

Mantra - Mantra in other traditions or contexts

Mantra practice has also been enthusiastically taken up by various New Age groups and individuals, although this is typically out of context, and from the point of view of a genuine Hindu or Buddhist practitioner lacks depth. The mere repetition of syllables can have a calming effect on the mind, but the traditionalist would argue that mantra can be an effective way of changing the level of one's consciousness when approached in traditional way.

Some forms of Jewish meditation use mantras, although they do not call them by that name. Hasidic Jews sing phrases from the Hebrew Bible over and over, in a form of rhythmic chant, often accompanied by drumming on the table. They also use wordless sacred meditation tunes called niggunim, which are revealed thorugh the higher consciousness of the Rebbes (Hasidic leaders, similar to gurus). Some subgroups of the Breslov Hasidic movement use the mantra Na Nach Nachma, based on the name of their founder, Rabbi Nachman of Breslov. All of these practices are done to achieve deveikut which means "cleaving (holding on) to God." Lubavitch Hasidim of the messianic faith use the mantra of Yechi to draw on the power of their Rebbe.

The spiritual exercises of Surat Shabda Yoga include simran (repetition, particularly silent repetition of a mantra given at initiation), dhyan (concentration, viewing, or contemplation, particularly on the Inner Master), and bhajan (listening to the inner sounds of the Shabda or the Shabda Master).

In the Islamic Sufi tradition, chants of the 99 Names of Allah are popular invocations of attibutes as are the names of the Prophet.

In Paganism, names of the Deity are invoked by recitation of their many names.

In Christianity, repetitive prayer using prayer beads such as a rosary or chotki includes well known mantras such as the Jesus prayer and Hail Mary. A form of Christian meditation was taught by Dom John Main that involves the silent repetition of a mantra.

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