Meditation mantras are sacred words or short phrases which we use to quieten the mind and enter into a more meditative consciousness.

At times outer distractions such as noises, or our own mental chatter can make it difficult to enter into meditation.  Meditation mantras – spiritually resonant words or phrases –  can be a very effective tool to calm the mind and quickly enter into a meditative state.

During our meditation programs, you will be introduced to classic mantras – such as “Aum” and “Shanti”.  You will also receive instruction on how to chant and pronounce each mantra, and will be invited to join in the soulful sounds yourself.

How to chant mantras

• We should choose a mantra that we feel a connection to. If we want to invoke peace, we can use “Shanti” (Sanskrit word for peace) or – if we prefer – we can use the English word peace. AUM (sometimes spelled OM) is also a very powerful mantra.
• When repeating a mantra we shouldn’t do it mechanically. We should feel we are invoking the quality of the mantra and aspiring for a real sense of peace and joy.
• Try to feel the mantra is coming from deep within and is filling the whole of the being.
• Don’t worry if you don’t feel particularly soulful when you start chanting a mantra – you will find it is like a muscle, the more you practise the better you will become.
• If you have difficult with thoughts still entering the mind, try to repeat the mantra quicker. The speed will act like a current for forcing away the mantra. As the mantra becomes stronger, and you are more absorbed in the exercise, you can try slow down and keep a gap of silence in between each repetition.
• It is helpful to try and achieve a certain number 500 on first day, then 600 on second day, the 700. Don’t worry if you don’t get the exact number, you can always try go by time.

 

Sri Chinmoy, on mantras:

Mantra is a Sanskrit word. In Indian philosophy, spirituality and the inner life, mantras play a considerable role. A mantra is a syllable divinely surcharged with power.

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The repetition of a mantra is a process for going deep within or accelerating one’s spiritual progress. It can be a syllable, a word, a few words or a sentence.

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A Sanskrit word or syllable has a special significance and creative power. When we chant AUM, what actually happens is that we bring down Peace and Light from above and create a universal harmony within and without us. When we repeat AUM, both our inner and our outer beings become inspired and surcharged with divine Light and aspiration. AUM has no equal. AUM has infinite Power. Just by repeating AUM, we can realise God.

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The Gayatri Mantra is the most hallowed mantra of the Vedas. It is the mother of all the mantras. Mantra means incantation. A mantra can be a one-syllable word or a few words, a sentence or a few sentences. The Gayatri Mantra can offer to the sincere seeker the Light of the Infinite, the Delight of the Eternal, and the Life of the Immortal.

-Sri Chinmoy

 

Video of Meditation mantras

These mantras are short phrases set to music by Sri Chinmoy. They are powerful because it enables you to get into the heart and the flow of the meditative music takes you to a deeper place.

Mantras sung by British music group “Ananda” who perform some simple mantras to instrumental accompaniment.

 

For more information on future classes with meditation mantras in New York, please call (212) 380-8153, or visit our Queens or Manhattan page for the current schedules.

Related

• Meditation music at Radio Sri Chinmoy