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Mantra: a tool for transformation and manifestation

Mantra is a group of sound vibrations that, when combined withbreath work or pranayama, has the effect of creating positive changes in our constitutions and meaningful transformations in our lives

By Natalie Vlismas

Mantra has been acknowledged as a powerful meditation method for thousands of years. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali composed during India’s classical historical epoch around 300 AD have been interpreted and elaborated upon by scores of scholars. Patanjali taught methods for communicating with “The Source” and demonstrated “magical tricks” through the use of mantra as one method of this communication. Today, many teachers like Deepak Chopra and Dr Wayne Dyer refer prolifically to Patanjali’s work regarding our ability to manifest what we want by repeating the name of God or that primal creative force (japa).

Why Mantra?
Practising mantra connects us to that part of ourselves that is infinite. It does so by vibrating and energising our chakras, stimulating the hypothalamus gland to engage with the pituitary and pineal glands and, when combined with rhythmic breathing, our psychological, neurological, endocrine, emotional, nervous, and immune systems can all be adjusted.

Through the power of conscious vibration, mantra brings our minds to the ultimate state – intuitive, steady and open to action, furthermore awakening feelings of joy, truth, compassion, health and relaxation. Chanting mantra, either silently or aloud directs the mind as it gracefully dances and skirts past the tense shutters of the ego.

Modern science has proven the effect that language has on water (Dr Emoto’s case study is a perfect example) and, considering our bodies are predominantly made up of water, the cellular healing that occurs with the repetition and vibration of the purest sound currents through this water, are both powerful and potent.

The Science of Mantra
Ancient yogis, through listening to infinite sounds, discovered seed syllables that emulate the vibratory structure of God energy. They further noticed that specific
combinations of those seed syllables align us to the energetic frequency of that creative force.

Sanskrit provides us with structures of sound that universally tap into our highest value systems and aspirations for our spiritual journey. The science is that primal sounds said repeatedly, induce altered states of being. The movement of the tongue against the palate for example, promotes chemical neurotransmitter changes in the brain.

Mantra – the Kundalini way
In Kundalini yoga mantra is referred to as the Shabd Guru which relates to the movement from darkness to light through the use of sound. The central channel or  shushumna tunnel is activated and the neutral mind is engaged, thereby bringing us into direct contact with our true nature, the Divine and that universally connected part of us.

The words of Shabd Guru are simple and yet contain universal meaning on multiple levels. The mantra “Satnam” for example, means “God’s name is truth”, and can be used to vibrate anything to its original, untainted nature.

As an attunement, the Adi Mantra can be used. “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo” means “I bow to the subtle divine wisdom, the divine teacher within”. Attunement is meant to be perfectly literal and is chanted as opposed to sung. The sounds invite a vibratory awakening in the subtle nervous system (nadis), as well as invoking a blessing of the ancients.

There are also English mantras with equally harmonizing effects like “God and Me; Me and God are One”. Sometimes people are opposed to using the word God and so are encouraged to use a word that works for them, like the “Universe”, “Infinite” or “Source”. But, it is the shape of the sound “ah” that is found to be present in all cultures for a description of God and therefore present in most practices of mantra in the form of Aum (unmanifest), or Ong (manifest).

Another favourite English mantra that helps us to connect the small self with the higher self, microcosm to macrocosm, is expressed through the words “I am, I am”. In Kundalini Yoga we combine mudra and movement which simultaneously activate related meridians in the fingertips, for added effect.

The beauty of practising mantra is that e can remove all religious connotations by realising it as a science and trying it out.

There are many pathways to enlightenment and finding your own path requires the courage to explore and experiment. Chanting personal affirmations is one such pathway if the chants are carefully and consciously worded.

Practice
Sitting straight, get in touch with your highest intention and go quietly into mantra meditation. You will find that you develop your own relationship with mantra through the direct experience of doing it.

The trick is to be with the sound – allow yourself to experience the vibration, the action and the breath, noticing how you become present in the “here and now”. You don’t have to think about how or why it’s working, simply be mindful and notice how effortlessly you are drawn into the moment and into your own healing. There will be thoughts, but your attention will be drawn back to the activity at hand.

Mantra becomes the nectar, a sweet and gentle drink from the creative infinite. The activity is a balance of giving and taking, where voice, music, breath and intention open the channels for that nectar to flow into your being. Adding to that the emotive nature of beautiful harmonies and rhythm, you quickly find yourself in an elevated state where you will be humming “I am bountiful, blissful and beautiful”.

Repeat your mantra of choice for either three or 11 minutes er day and you will soon reap the rewards.