Meditation with mantras is basically a practice of Mantra yoga and also of Bhakti yoga but it can be utilized by anyone who wants to pursue this very potent way of meditating. In this type of meditation various mantras are used to concentrate the thoughts at one focal point of attention.

Mantras are basically very potent verbal incantations that work on the principle of resounding effect of sound energy. Mantra is a Sanskrit word that is defined as follows 'Mananat -trayate iti Mantrah' meaning mantra is that what is thought constantly to produce the result of release from the cycle of birth and death. Mantra is something that is constantly recited by the jiva or human so that he is released from the cycle of Dharma, Arth, Kama and attains the ultimate result of Moksha. The two syllables of the word ‘Mantra’ are ‘Man’ meaning the mind or the process of thinking (Manana). And ‘Tra’ means to become free from the bonding of the worldly desires and need for rebirth.

Meditation with mantras is based on the fundamental that the sound energy is powerful and very potent and has tremendous consequence to connect the mind with the divine. That sound energy does not deplete very quickly is a well known fact. It keeps alive in the universe. It is believed that these factors make it a very persuasive medium to communicate with the divine. In meditation through the mantras various different incantations of the mantras are used repeatedly. There is believed to be an association with the number of times the mantra is repeated with the potency it generates. Various Hindu Gods and Goddesses are invoked with various different mantras. There are two types of meditation practices with the mantras. One type of practice is called meditation with Saguna mantras, and the other one is called meditation with Nirguna mantras. They are explained hereafter.

Meditation with Nirguna mantras: Meditation without any direct association to any deities is the way of Nirguna mantras. The word nirguna means formless or the one that has no definite shape. These are mantras that do not invoke any Gods or Goddesses. They just are powerful sounds that focus on the abstract. They have the connectivity with the infiniteness of the universe. They are complete sounds that invoke the inner self and the person feels unification with the divine power that is manifest in all the creativity of the world. These are oldest forms of mantras and are used by all. Even the people who are typically atheists have benefited from them because they have no religious association whatsoever. Some of the nirguna mantras used universally are:

• Om: This is the most used nirguna mantra. It is the origin of all sounds. It is the root of all sounds and all letters. This makes ‘om’ the most original and most primitive of everything. It is the beginning and it is the middle and it is also the end. It is the origination of all the creativity. It is the representation of all the primal instincts. It is also the ultimate in beauty and power. It is representative of the root of all that is existent in this universe. It is the basis of all that is pure and energized. It is recited in a deep throated voice. ‘O’ is brought out from deep within the body and resounded through the system and later joined with ‘M’ which is echoed through the head. Recital of ‘Om’ for a few minutes makes the entire body tremendously energized.

• Soham: This is the nirguna mantra that is representative of the process of breathing. The act of breathing is the most important representation of life. All that is living breathes. So the most primal feature of life is breathing. Without breathing a person cannot live even for a few moments. The sound of ‘So’ is the sound echoed into the system while inhaling. The sound of ‘Ham’ is the sound echoed during exhaling.

Meditation with Saguna mantras: Meditation with saguna mantras is a way of invoking the deities. The word ‘saguna’ means with form. These are mantras that are attached with some Hindu Gods or Goddesses. There is a definite religious connotation but the religion can be separated from the mantra to understand its fundamental qualities. All the mantras were created when the only religion existent was the Hindu religion. Then religion was not a bone of contention in the world as it is in the modern day. All the Gods and Goddesses are illustrations of certain absolute form of universal energy. These are most basic and primal emotions and instincts of the divine which have manifestation in the human also. All these energies in the right proportion and content make a human being a complete human being. Some of these mantras that are used frequently are:

• Ram-Ram: This is the mantra which has the essence of the male aspect at its roots. All the masculine characteristics and their association with the human can be invoked with the intonation of this mantra.

• Sita-Sita: This is the representation of the female energy. All the primal feminine characteristics are represented by this mantra. It can be made more powerful and encompassing by coupling with the male energy and reciting as ‘Sita-Ram’.

• Radhe-Shyam: This is the representation of cosmic love and compassion and the purest form of union of male and female at the mental, emotional and spiritual level. This is over and above any kind of lust and free of sexual energy.

• Om Namah Shivaye: This mantra is representative of all that that is pure energy and creativity. It is representation of all that is negative and deserves destruction. The recital of this mantra invokes inclination towards the positive bent of mind.

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