Mantras for Meditation

Whilst traditionally Sanskrit, mantras are widely used in a multitude of languages by many religious and spiritual groups. Mantras are simply the incantation of a word, phrase or even a syllable and are excellent to use for stilling the mind, most commonly before meditation. The following well known mantras have been used globally for centuries and continue to be used to invoke different aspects of God and developing a serene and tranquil mind.

AUM

Aum is the mother of all mantras, as well as the oldest mantra. It is said that the universe reverberates with the sound of Aum, and when one is nearing enlightenment, thay will hear this mantra from within. This mantra is very well known, and when being said, the ‘M’ sound should be held thee times longer than the ‘AU’ sound.

“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 outer beings become inspired and surcharged with a divine feeling and aspiration. Aum has no equal. Aum has infinite power. Just by repeating Aum, we can realise God.” – Sri Chinmoy

THE GAYATRI MANTRA

Aum oh bhūr bhuvah svah tát savitúr váreniyam bhárgo devásya dhīmahi dhíyo yó nah pracodáyāt

“We meditate on the transcendental glory Of the Deity Supreme, Who is inside the heart of the earth, Inside the life of the sky And inside the soul of Heaven May He stimulate and illumine our minds”

Translation given by Sri Chinmoy

By repeating The Gayatri Mantra one invokes illumination, awakening and union with the highest. The Gayatri Mantra is second only to the mantra Aum and is the essence of the three Vedas, Indian scriptures. "Amongst the Mantras, I am the Gayatri" -Krishna (Bhagavad Gita)

PEACE

Peace, or any other quality you would like to cultivate, can be invoked by simply repeating that word, in any language even. This repetition of a mantra is called japa and brings poise into the mind and clears it from any unwanted, mundane thoughts. Peace is something our world badly needs and by developing inner peace, it spreads from us first to our friends and family and continues to be passed on from them.

“Those who are free of resentful thoughts surely find peace." - Buddha

MARANATHA

The word Maranatha was the last word spoken in the entire Bible. It was said by St. Paul to the Corinthians, at the end of the book of revelations and has been chanted since by early monks, and Christians today. This mantra is Aramaic, and depending on how it is fragmented ‘Mara-natha’ means ‘Come Lord’, or ‘Maran-atha’ means ‘Lord has Come’. By repeating this simple mantra, it is like planting a seed, which will defiantly germinate.

"The kingdom of heaven is like a Mustard Seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest..." -Matthew (The Bible).

AUM MANI PADME HUM

Aum Mani Padme Hum is the most widely chanted mantra by Buddhists in Tibet. It translates as ‘Aum, to the jewel in the Lotus’, thus invoking the Deity of compassion. This mantra can be found inscribed on walls, temple and inside prayer wheels all over Tibet.

'Transform your impure body, speech, and mind into the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha'- Te Dalai Lama describes the reason for chanting this mantra.

THE PALM MANTRA

Karaagre Vasate Laxmih Karmadhye Saraswati Karmooley tu Govinda Prabhaate karadarshanam

This translation as

On the tip of the fingers Mother Lakshmi resides. On the wrist Mother Saraswati resides. In the palms centre resides Lord Govinda Himself. In this was you behold your palms.

This mantra is said upon waking, especially in the Hindu tradition, and invokes the blessings of the cosmic gods and goddess’, as well as prosperity, wisdom and devotion.

“By chanting the Lord's name I have come upon riches that I cannot spend (fritter) away, no one can rob, it increases everyday...” Sang by Mirabhai

SUPREME

By chanting Gods more intimate name, ‘Supreme’ one creates boundless receptivity in their spiritual life. Also to combat tiredness, by quickly repeating ‘Supreme’ as fast as possible, life energy is bound to come forward. There is an exercise, using this mantra which achieves entire purification of ones being. It requires chanting Supreme for one month beginning with 500, on the first day and ascending by 100 everyday until 1200 is reached and then descending by 100 until again at 500 and continuing as before thus invokes Gods divine qualities.

"I purify my body by chanting God's name. I purify my vital by serving God. I purify my mind by emptying my mind for God. I purify my heart by meditating on God's Compassion-Love." –Sri Chinmoy