Start Meditation with Mantras – Mantra Meditations

Getting Started

Start by picking some aspect of your life you wish to improve or some vexing problem you would like to solve or dissolve. Then pick a mantra which seems, to you, to apply. Offer a prayer to God, in whatever way you relate to God. Ask for God’s blessing in accomplishing your objective in doing this spiritual discipline.

Once you have decided to undertake the discipline and offered your prayers, then pick a place where you will say your mantra for a certain number of times each day. If possible, obtain a rosary of some kind and do your mantras in some multiple of 108. If getting a rosary is not possible, then decide on a certain amount of time you will spend each day saying your mantra. It can be five minutes, ten minutes, twenty minutes or even an hour. For your first experience, any time up to twenty minutes is advisable.

The reason for taking things easy for the first 40 day commitment is due to the cumulative action of the mantra. For the first few days, all will probably go smoothly. Then as you progress, you may find that things start to get in the way of your doing the discipline: You oversleep; there is some minor emergency; you get a cold, whatever. This means that you are beginning to effect the inner ‘something’ for which you undertook the mantra. You are beginning to encounter inner resistance. That inner resistance manifests as outer obstacles to your discipline. It has almost become a joke in many spiritual circles in which the practice of mantra is common, that something of a very surprising nature happened on day 33 or 35 of a 40 day sadhana. It has happened to me and many others with whom I have spoken on innumerable occasions over the last 22 years.

Develop a sense of humor about it, and be thankful. There is no better indication that your efforts are working than to have small upheavals in your life while you are in the midst of a 40 day mantra discipline. Ask anyone who has undertaken one and they will have some interesting stories for you.

Ganesha: Om Gum Ganapatayei Namaha

Rough Translation: ‘Om and salutations to the remover of obstacles for which Gum is the seed.’

The story of Ganesha is found in the chapter devoted to this principle. But for your immediate need, you need only know that for seen or unseen obstacles which seem to be standing in the way of your progress or achievement, either specifically or generally, this mantra has proved invaluable. It has been used it with great success not only in India, but here in the West dozens of people have related to me their success in turning things around in their life by using this mantra.

Lakshmi: Om Shrim Mahalakshmiyei Swaha

Rough Translation: ‘Om and salutations to that feminine energy which bestows all manner of wealth, and for which Shrim is the seed’

This mantra has not only been used for the purpose of attracting prosperity, but also for drawing in proper friends, clearing up family misunderstandings and quarrels, and smoothing some health problems. As we all know, there are many different kinds of wealth. As you use this mantra, focus on the kind of wealth you wish to manifest in your life.

Durga: Om Dum Durgayei Namaha

Rough Translation: ‘Om and Salutations to that feminine energy which protects from all manner of negative influences, and for which Dum is the seed.’

Durga is the Divine Protectress. Typically shown riding a lion or a tiger, Durga has a hundred arms, each with a different weapon of destruction. Yet her face is exquisitely beautiful to behold. The interpretation is that to the pious and the sincere seeker after truth, her sight can produce ecstacy and a variety of beautiful forms. But the negative, harmful or demonic, her countenance is as terrible as Kali, except she shows more weapons of destruction than Kali (who is described later).

Saraswati: Om Eim Saraswatyei Swaha

Rough Translation: ‘Om and salutations to that feminine energy which informs all artistic and scholastic endeavor, and for which Eim (pronounced I’m) is the seed.’

Saraswati holds a musical instrument, the vina, in one hand and a rosary in another hand. She spans the world of mundane knowledge and spiritual understanding. Those pursuing any artistic or educational endeavor whatsoever will gain greatly from the practice of this mantra.

Shiva: Om Namah Shivaya

This mantra has no approximate translation. The sounds related directly to the principles which govern each of the first six chakras on the spine…Earth, water, fire, air, ether. Notice that this does not refer to the chakras themselves which have a different set of seed sounds, but rather the principles which govern those chakras in their place. A very rough, non-literal translation could be something like, ‘Om and salutations to that which I am capable of becoming.’ This mantra will start one out on the path of subtle development of spiritual attainments. It is the beginning on the path of Siddha Yoga, or the Yoga of Perfection of the Divine Vehicle.

Rama: Om Sri Rama Jaya Rama, Jaya, Jaya Rama

Rough Translation: ‘Om and Victory to Rama (the self within), victory, victory to Rama.’

Rama was an Avatar who came several thousand years ago. His sole purpose was to show how a person should live a Divine Life while living in a human body. A short story about the esoteric meaning of his life is found in the chapter devoted to him. You will recall from the previous chapter that Mahatma Gandhi practiced this mantra for over 60 years. This mantra will ‘take one across’ the ocean of rebirth. In a more immediate way, it is most powerful in reducing negative karmic effects no matter in which life they might have occurred. I have also had a powerful spiritual healing experience (for another person), while using this mantra intensely.

The Planet Saturn: Om Sri Shanaishwaraya Swaha

Rough translation: ‘Om and salutations to the presiding spirit in the planet Saturn.’

Saturn is the planet of lessons. It is closely related to the karma we may encounter in a given lifetime. It also stands as a gatekeeper to some of the higher vibrations to which we aspire though spiritual development. By offering salutations outwardly, one clears certain internal obstructing energy patterns. But Saturn has received an overly negative reputation from some astrologers. There have been circumstances where very positive things manifested in people’s lives unexpectedly, apparently as a direct result of working with this mantra.

Internally, Saturn energy is predominant in the spleen, knees and skeletal system. However, as Saturn moves through the various astrological signs, it ‘triggers’ karma we may have stored under astrological configurations found in that sign. Therefore, the use of the Saturn mantra can mitigate and even clear certain categories of karma which appear in our lives. This mantra has been used with great success personally. And I have received reports of its efficacy from many other people.

Subramanya: Om Sharavana-bhavaya Namaha

Rough translation, ‘Om and salutations to the son of Shiva, who brings auspiciousness and who is chief of the celestial army.’

The positive effects of this mantra may not be so clearly seen or described as some of the others: a seeming increase in good fortune or luck; the ability to make the best of a set of circumstances which may occur; an increase in positive mental or emotional disposition; an easier route to becoming physically fit. Yet these few phrases do not begin to exhaust the benefits of using this mantra. It seems to brighten or optimize nearly everything in life.

Rama (Healing Mantra):
Om Apadamapa Hataram Dataram Sarva Sampadam
Loka Bhi Ramam Sri Rama Bhuyo Bhuyo Namamyaham

This is a long mantra to put in a chapter for those just starting off, but is placed here because it is the most powerful healing mantra I have ever encountered. The very rough translation is, ‘Om, Oh most compassionate Rama please send your healing energy right here to the earth, to the earth (twice for emphasis.)’

I have seen this mantra completely cure one person from a schizophrenic break who was in a locked ward. The psychiatrist said he would never lead a life on the outside again. In the middle of a 40 day sadhana done in his behalf, he was living in a ‘halfway house’ for those on the road to recovery. After 40 days of a spiritual discipline done on his behalf, he was on his own. He has since graduated from Art School which he attended on scholarship, and is working as an artist.

Another individual who was on medication, took off spurning his pills and disappeared for a time. After a 40 day sadhana done on his behalf, he had stabilized his life and was back on his medication without complaint.

A woman I know was in constant pain for four years. She undertook this discipline and after just a few weeks was in less pain than at any time she could remember over the past several years. She is still doing the mantra an expects to be pain free relatively soon.

Although the mantra is long, it is simple to say phonetically. If you can, say it 108 times in a sitting. If you are just starting out, this may initially take up to one hour. After you are comfortable with the mantra, it will only take you 30 minutes.
Bodhisattwa Avalokiteshwara (Called Chenresig in Tibetan Buddhism):

Om Mani Padme Hum

Rough Translation: ‘Om, salutations to The Jewel of Consciousness (the mind) which has reached the heart’s lotus.’

This mantra is practiced more than any other in the world. It is pre-eminent in producing a state of dynamic compassion in the sayer. Dynamic means that this compassion contains as part of it the ability to powerfully manifest in both subtle and obvious ways. One of the simple yet profound teachings which accompanies this mantra is the concept that when the mind and heart become united, anything is possible. The implications of this simple thought are staggering. If you want to change the world for the better, this mantra should be in your spiritual toolbox.

Definition of a Mantra Meditation

Mantra is a formula or a word with spiritual significance, which can help you relax very deeply. Mantra meditation is a very easy to learn and an effective relaxation technique. Just thinking a mantra helps you focus your attention on the inside and eventually reach a state of very deep rest. Regular practice of meditation reduces ones irritability and thus the feeling of being stressed. It also reduces the time of recovery after distressing situations.

During the first weeks of practicing mantra meditation some people tend to become more sensitive. This is one reason why after the introduction of mantra meditation, a few “checkings” should follow to ensure correct practice. This is why practicing mantra meditation needs special attention and control. In some cases you even might have to advise against continuing to meditate.

Meditation should be practiced in a calm and clean place without any distractions. The best times to meditate are the early morning before breakfast or the early evening before the evening meal.

Mantra Meditation

Mantra meditation

Introduction to and History of Mantra Meditation

Mantras are words or phrases that are chanted out loud or internally as objects of meditation. Often these mantras are associated with particular Buddhist figures, whose qualities can be cultivated by the repetition of the relevant mantra.

Mantra meditation predates Buddhism, probably by hundreds of years. The origins of mantras go back at least to the Vedic tradition that preceded the Buddha, where mantras were used as incantations to influence, or even to control, the gods.

In this section of our site, you can explore how we define mantra meditations learn how it works, and read about the various figures mantras are associated with and what their mantras mean.

Throughout history, cultures have believed in the sacred power of words, and have believed that uttering certain words or names could control the external world, or control the unseen forces, like gods or spirits, that they believed acted upon the world. We can see that in the English word “spell”, which can mean simply to put letters together to make words, or to use words in order to control the world.

Throughout history, cultures have believed in the sacred power of words…   

The words grammar and glamour have the same original meanings. Gramma-techne was the Greek term for the science or art of letters. This came into English as the word grammar, but also came in Scots (as “glammer”) to mean “to cast a spell upon”. The word glammer was anglicized as glamour, and came to have its more contemporary romantic and aesthetic associations. So the English language contains fossilized notions that words can have magical powers.

This was particularly so for the words that we call “names”. In ancient India it was believed that if you knew the true names of the gods, then you could call upon them and compel them to do your bidding. If this sounds primitive, then imagine how you would feel if you discovered that someone had written your name of a piece of paper, put it in the toilet bowl before using the bathroom, and then flushed your name away. Most of us still, it seems, have a lingering belief in the special nature of names.

It was believed that if you knew the true names of the gods, then you could call upon them and compel them to do your bidding.   

Although early Buddhism used chanting as a means of practice, and used the recitation of verses as a way of cultivating an awareness of the qualities of the Buddha (Buddhanusati), the use of mantras doesn’t seem to have come into Buddhism until the rise of the Mahayana traditions, which incorporated elements of the non-Buddhist approach to spirituality known as “Tantra.”

Tantra made extensive use of mantras as ways of communing with and influencing the gods, and Buddhism co-opted this methodology as a way of getting in touch with the qualities of enlightenment. The Mahayana had already developed a “pantheon” of symbolical figures in human form to represent the diversity of the enlightened state. Given the close contact with the Tantric traditions, it was natural that these archetypal Buddhas and Bodhisattvas came to be associated with particular syllables and mantras.

Mantra Meditation

In the Western world, Mantra Meditations are probably the most well-known. In this meditation, a sound, a word, a sentence or an affirmation is our object of meditation.

In the following meditation, the repeating of a mantra in our mind is our object of meditation. As there are thousands of mantras, we have just written down a few. This could be your first inspiration for you to choose a mantra of your own. Choose a mantra from this article or choose one that you have invented or found yourself. It is important to choose a word or a sound that has a positive meaning for you. When you have chosen a mantra, the exercise looks a lot like meditations that concentrate on breathing. Remain seated in a calm fashion and repeat your mantra in your mind. Do not make any sound. When your mind wanders away, take it back to your mantra again.

When you are repeating the mantra in your mind, the mantra may change a little. You may repeat the mantra more quickly or more slowly, more loudly or more softly, more clearly or less clearly or the duration of your speaking the mantra may vary in length. Everything is all right as long as you do not resist the tendency to change or try to manipulate it. You should try to push away your thoughts by means of your mantra or to work on a special rhythm. Every time we wander away in our mind, we return to our mantra in a relaxed sort of way.

“Go with the flow”, but remain aware of everything that happens. As is the case with every kind of meditation, we try not to judge, not to get angry when things do not go so well as we would like and not to be too goal-oriented. Let us begin!

Mantra Meditation Exercise

In our example, we have chosen for the mantra “Aum” (aaa-uuu-mm) (the diphthong in the English word house ).

1. Sit down in your favourite posture, close your eyes and calm down.
2. Be aware of every breathing in and every breathing out. Let your breathing be a natural process and do not try to steer it.
3. Observe how the air slowly passes in through your nose, fills up your lungs and goes out again.
4. When after a few times of breathing you really feel at ease you start to repeat the mantra AUM.
5. Begin whispering AUM slowly : “AAAAAUUUUUMMMM”
6. Concentrate your attention on AUM, stop whispering and just think AUM. It does not matter in what way and with what speed you think of your mantra…..just let it happen.
7. Maybe you imagine that you hear AUM in your mind or you visualise AUM with your mind’s eye. “AAAAUUUUMMMM…..AAAAUUUUMMMM…..AAAAUUUUMMMM”
8. When you start to think of something else than your mantra or you start to feel something else than your mantra, just observe this and return to AAAUUUMMM.
9. Try to become totally one with AUM. When AUM starts to sound more and more vague in your mind or your speed changes, that is fine.
10. If all of a sudden you notice twinklings in your body or relaxation reactions in your muscles, that is fine….. observe and go back to AUM.
11. Continue doing this until the time that you set apart for this exercise is over.
12. Now slowly take your thoughts back to the rest of your body and the sounds in the room. Move a little, stretch your muscles a little and open your eyes.
13. Finished!

Very simple, effective and pleasant. The often you do it, the longer you will be able to stay with your mantra. At first, only a few seconds, then ten seconds, then twenty or half a minute. Do not forget that at first, it is not strange at all if you can only keep concentrated on your mantra for a few seconds. Please do not give up when things do not go so well. We guarantee you that you will always feel better and more relaxed after the session and after some time, the long term advantages will automatically come your way. Realise that meditation is not goal-oriented and that less successful sessions are just part of the process – even for the Maharishi Yogi!