| In the book of James in the Bible chapter 4 and | | | | mantra.) |
| verse 8 it says to draw near to God and God will | | | | YHWH (Yod Hay, Vod Hay. The Divine Father |
| draw near to you, and herein is an important key | | | | aspect of God.) |
| that is also taught by the major religions. That is | | | | Kadoish, Kadoish, Kadoish, Adonai Tzebayoth |
| by repeating mantras and prayers slowly, softly, | | | | (Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts.) |
| and silently you connect with and become one | | | | Western Mantras |
| with what the name, word or sound portrays. As | | | | I Am the I Am |
| you do this you will sense a deep love, light, | | | | I Am God |
| beauty, peace, ecstasy and an expansion of | | | | Be Still, And Know I Am God |
| consciousness into new awareness and wisdom. | | | | I feel deep love |
| Utilizing this practice along with centering in your | | | | Buddhist Mantras |
| heart is a way to discover the love and beauty | | | | Om Mani Padme Hum (The Jewel [of compassion] |
| which lives within you. The more deeply you allow | | | | in the Lotus [of the heart]. This is considered one |
| yourself to feel the love, beauty and light that | | | | of the most powerful mantras in the world today. |
| naturally resides within you, the more you will feel | | | | Buddha |
| tremendously calm, complete, nurtured, | | | | Quan Yin |
| supported, secure, connected, comforted, and | | | | Christian Mantras |
| loved. Do not underestimate the importance or | | | | Jesus Christ |
| profound nature of this practice. This is the | | | | Ave Maria |
| establishment of your connection and awareness | | | | Lord's Prayer |
| with whom you truly are which has been right | | | | Hindu Mantras |
| there, present with you all the time. By not having | | | | Aum or OM |
| paid attention to it you have missed it. Now by | | | | So Ham (I Am He, or I Am the Self. This is said |
| giving it some attention every day, you will | | | | to be the sound as God listens to the breath of |
| discover some amazing truths about your real | | | | humans. When you breathe in say So, when you |
| nature and deep divine truth. | | | | breath out say Ham. Let the breath lead the |
| Many have found that repeating specific words | | | | meditation and mantra. |
| and sounds can help open and integrate a person | | | | Sai Ram |
| with their deepest spiritual connections. You may | | | | Om Shanti (mantra of peace) |
| find yourself drawn to come words or phrases | | | | Rama (Name of God. He who fills us with abiding |
| more than others perhaps due to prior religious | | | | joy) |
| training and associations. I suggest you try several | | | | Om Namah Shivaya. Salutations to Shiva. I bow |
| until you find those that have the most meaning | | | | (or surrender ) to Shiva. |
| and effect for you. | | | | Shiva is the Consciousness dwelling in everyone |
| Mantras are words or phrases used to facilitate | | | | and everything. His form consists of sat chit |
| transformation and spiritual realizations. There is | | | | ananda - Existence, Consciousness, and Bliss. Shiva |
| value to the vibrations the sounds produce as well | | | | is also sometimes seen as the destroyer-the one |
| as the meaning and intentions behind the words | | | | who destroys sins and impurities of those who |
| and sounds. | | | | repeat the mantra. Each syllable of this mantra |
| Suggestions for Using Mantras | | | | has meaning. Namah Shivaya has 5 syllables which |
| 1. Use only one or two mantras in any given | | | | are the form of the 5 elements. |
| meditation session. | | | | Na = earth; Ma = Water; Shi = fire; Va = air; Ya |
| 2. Repeat the word or phrase out loud and few | | | | = ether. |
| times and then begin repeating it silently. | | | | A Concluding Word on Mantras |
| 3. Even though you are repeating the mantra | | | | Of course there are hundreds of other mantras |
| silently you will find it helpful to move your lips. | | | | to choose from and you will likely feel the most |
| 4. This process is often found to be most effect | | | | comfortable in using ones that are based on |
| when done in the middle of the night or early in | | | | traditions that are familiar to you, but you should |
| the morning. | | | | experiment with others as well. |
| 5. There are often shifts or breakthroughs at 20 | | | | After you repeat the mantra for the designated |
| minutes, 40 minutes and 60 minutes. | | | | time you have decided to do the mantra stop |
| 6. While repeating the mantra intend to connect | | | | and remain in a peaceful still state or bring an |
| more and more deeply with the intention behind | | | | inquiry to mind. Allow the consciousness of God to |
| the words or sounds. | | | | reveal itself to you in whatever form that |
| 7. Utilize one or at the most two mantras for a | | | | emerges. Surrender to the stillness and allow |
| particular meditation session. Repeat it silently to | | | | yourself to receive. |
| yourself and be aware that the embodiment of | | | | Speak into the stillness and ask for more |
| the mantra lives within your heart. | | | | clarification or elaboration. Such questions as, "Is |
| The realization of your divine nature and the | | | | there anything important for me to know at this |
| Supreme Self is the goal of the mantra practice. | | | | time?" Then be receptive to see or hear what |
| Listen and attune to the qualities that emerge | | | | arises. Periodically ask, "Is there anything else I |
| within you as you repeat the mantra. A message | | | | need to know," or "tell me more." Allow the |
| will reveal itself to you as you continue with this | | | | insights to bubble to the surface. They may come |
| practice. Here are a few common mantras from | | | | as flashes or glimpses. Sometimes they come as |
| various traditions that are simple and effective. | | | | single words, sometimes as feelings, and at other |
| Mantras from Mystical Jewish Tradition | | | | times deeper insights unfold. |
| Elohim - (The highest Creators. A powerful | | | | |