mantra meditation

Mantra Meditation

Published on March 10, 2010

These Mantra Meditations are considered to be the easiest form of meditation, and can also cultivate specific qualities and energies in your life.

How to Use a Mantra

The practice of chanting a mantra is considered the easiest form of meditation. Sitting in a comfortable position, with the eyes closed, the mantra is repeated silently or aloud. Pay careful attention to the speed and rhythm of your chanting, the correct pronunciation, aim, and esoteric meaning of the mantra. Allow the mind to be focused on the mantra, letting the thoughts go and maintaining a slow and deep breath. A Mala (string of beads) can be used to count series of 108 repetitions of the mantra.

How to Choose a Mantra

Traditionally mantras are received orally from one’s Guru and kept in strictest secrecy. But it is also possible to self-initiate yourself by carefully selecting your own mantra. When selecting a mantra, be clear on what your intention is, understand the aim of the mantra, and use your intuition over your intellect. You may want to try out each mantra for a few repetitions to see how it feels to you and choose the one that you resonate with the best.

Saguna Mantras

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
Used to realize your spiritual path and purpose in life.

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Om Namah Shivaya
Used for inner focus and to develop and foster our spiritual development and inner transformation.

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Om Sri Maha Lakshmiyei Namah
Used to manifest abundance in any realm: mental, physical or spiritual.

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Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah
Used to develop knowledge and wisdom, especially in the creative fields.

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Om Dum Durgayei Namaha
Used for protection from physical, mental and emotional harm and malevolence.

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Nirguna Mantras

So-hum
Used to increase the inner awareness and consciousness to be present in the moment.

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Aham Brahma Asmi
Used to overcome the confinement to the body and mind and to realize the true oneness of the Absolute.

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Tat Twam Asi
Used to obtain the identification of the individual as one and the same with the Absolute.

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Aham Prema
Used to embody universal love and to cultivate compassion.

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11 responses to “Mantra Meditation”

  1. ravikiran Avatar
    ravikiran

    it is nice to get knowledge over this

  2. jesshedrick Avatar
    jesshedrick

    What is the difference between a Saguna Mantra and a Nirguna Mantra?

  3. Timothy Avatar
    Timothy

    Saguna means with form and Nirguna means without form. The Saguna mantras usually invoke a deity that carries a specific energy and meaning, while the Nirguna mantras invoke more universal energies and are not invoking a specific deity form.

  4. marymidwest Avatar
    marymidwest

    i took a course in massage therapy where i learned most of this. but want to learn more and how to utilise it in my life which seems to much to bear alone sometimes i have a son who is two and his father was raised eckincar which practices some of the same beliefs. i have always had vivid dreams that become dajavu my sons grandmother says i have an old soul and do this without relizing it dreams meditation and such

  5. Sury Nama Avatar
    Sury Nama

    Thank you for sharing. I personally have been looking for something like this, for my own spirituality and then also to add for my yogic journey. I took a course woth Manorama and have some of the pronunciation but I
    cant seem to take it off the page- when and where I need it most. I can remember; and therefore, carry around these mantras.

  6. Som Avatar
    Som

    Wonderful content! Each of the Nirguna mantras have very profound meaning. I think it will be great if you also share the literal translations of these in English for the benefit of English speaking audience.

  7. Yash srivastava Avatar
    Yash srivastava

    I don’t understand why is it preached to liberate from this body made by pachtatva, and unite atma to parmatma as the highest goal of this life present amidst this beautiful saguna world since god is already part of everything it never seperates so why can’t we just live without any desperation to get back to infinte rather than live wid gratitude towards the saguna part which is infact made to insure pachtatva /our body to be alive in materialistic form as at some point mayb death, we have to unite wid parmatma.
    I don’t go agnst the knowledge u shared bt i feel what we should take away from this is that we should act, live ,learn,serve and enjoy freely in this beautiful world designed so perfectly to sustain life with this awarness that hardships and pleasures only exist to serve the material needs of the physical body . We’re above pain & pleasure.In truth we are not this body nor mind.We are part of divine energy that exist in everything which is moulded remixed to acquire diff. Forms so that the saguna or physical world could take its existence.Ofcourse the urge to merge in god becomes highest when our experience of our present form and environment becomes meagre and unbearable or meaningless looking at the emencity of our origin.At last of corse we should be graceful each day for this life and things around.And also dedicate some time to bhakti or self awareness or awareness of our oneness with the divine, and everything around.

    1. suparma wayan Avatar
      suparma wayan

      The nature of human being is to attain balance in life.
      Physically healthy, mentally balance and spiritually develop.
      Serving others with the Ideation on the supreme is the highest act of service.

  8. Aashi Jain Avatar
    Aashi Jain

    How is mantra meditation linked to yoga? How can we implement in daily life?

  9. Sujeewa Udawatta Avatar
    Sujeewa Udawatta

    Is it difficult to someone self-study be a realistic yogi. ? swadya .?listen to higher power in silence. And awking previous athma and getting knowlage.
    Sujeewa
    From sri lanka

  10. Maria Hernandez Avatar
    Maria Hernandez

    I come from a family of musicians, so the idea of using sound vibrations as a form of meditation really resonates with me. I’m excited to explore mantra meditation more deeply and see how it can enhance my creativity.

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Timothy Burgin Avatar
About the author
Timothy Burgin is a Kripalu & Pranakriya trained yoga instructor living and teaching in Asheville, NC. Timothy has studied and taught many styles of yoga and has completed a 500-hour Advanced Pranakriya Yoga training. Timothy has been serving as the Executive Director of YogaBasics.com since 2000. He has authored two yoga books and has written over 500 articles on the practice and philosophy of yoga. Timothy is also the creator of Japa Mala Beads and has been designing and importing mala beads since 2004.
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