Mantras

By Howard Beckman

Mantras & Yantras: Mantra.... Sacred Sound Vibration

Mantra meditation is often called " Mantra Yoga", considered to be a part of "Nada Yoga", which means the "yoga of sound". The word "yoga" means to "link with God" and this is the ultimate goal of all yoga. Today many people know nothing of yoga. Although used as a means to keeping good physical condition, in reality this is but a by-product of yoga. The physical postures or "asanas" are to help bring the senses under control in order to prepare for meditation . Control over the urges of the external senses (tongue, belly, and genitals) is required to actually engage in true meditation. Ultimately the mind will be also brought under control. Yoga is the science of self-realisation as enunciated in the Vedas, India's ancient holy scriptures, which are told to be descended from God Himself, not from man's comprehensions and expositions of relative truths. Therefore Veda means "truth", and the truths contained are as universal and equally applicable today just as they were many thousands of years ago.

In the Vedas there are said to be four ages or "yogas" in each dawning of new creation, made up of a total of some millions of years. In each yoga there was a recommended system of yoga in accordance with the mentality and ability of the populace during the time. At this time we are in the early stages of the "Kali-Yuga' (5,000 years have passed and 427,000 years remain), also known as the "age of quarrel and hypocrisy", a time when both our lives and memories are extremely short. Therefore in this age it is not possible for us to engage in the mystic yoga system. To practice this system there must be complete control of all sense s, cult~ornately going into yogic trance as a prelude to self-realisation. (Oh yes, I almost forgot.. it's necessary to spend some thousands of years doing so to achieve the goal by undergoing this difficult process!).

Therefore in this age it is not possible to achieve in this way as, not only do we live even less than 100 years, but who among us can concentrate with such intensity in silence, oblivious to all bodily urges or conveniences? Accordingly in this period mantra yoga, or mantra meditation, is the only viable means for self-realisation. There are many scriptural injunctions confirming that the "holy names of God" are the only means of crossing the ocean of maya (illusion) in order to become realised and thus free from the bonds of material life.

The great rishis, seers or saints of ancient India passed down these sacred sound vibrations for the benefit of all life but especially for human society for only in the human form of life can one obtain spiritual realisation. Although animals benefit from hearing transcendental sound vibrations, they cannot achieve spiritual self-realisation unless or until they are promoted to the human form of life. These sacred sound vibrations are known to promote healing on all levels, whilst, at the same time, awakening the chakras within our ethereal, or subtle, bodies.

Mantras are always sung to a melody (raga), although it is generally monophonic, or individual, sounds which may ' seem' to be without harmony. The Greeks, as did other cultures, understood music to be mathematical and, as Pythagoras taught, they made the equally interesting connection between sound, music and the science of astronomy. In " Poetica" Aristotle stated that poetry was comprised of language, rhythm and sound. He also pointed towards the potency of sound vibrations to influence human thoughts and emotions.

For more articles about Mantras and Yantras please visit http://www.vedicworld.org/mantras . Persons interested in learning more about Mantras & Yantras should read "Mantras, Yantras & Fabulous Gems" by Howard Beckman, see http://www.vedicworld.org/books.html