Yoga
Different Styles of Yoga
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Mantra Yoga
What is Mantra Or Japa Yoga - Yoga Poses and Positions
Yoga Poses and Positions
Mantra yoga is a very
interesting style of practice of yoga. This is
based on the principle of usage of sound as a
medium of concentrating thoughts or Dhyana towards
God. It is a science and an art in itself. Mantra
yoga has to be understood thoroughly before
practicing because it has many intricacies
involved of voice intonations and voice modulation
with accuracy of pronouncement accompanied with
proper understanding of the mantras. So before
proceeding with the actual practice a step by step
understanding of its science is very necessary.
This alone will give a person mastery over the art
form of reciting mantras. This recital of mantras
is referred to as Japa.
Most of us have a reasonable
understanding of what in reality a mantra is. But
in-depth knowledge of the meaning of mantras is
necessary to grasp the near magical powers of
mantras vouched by many practitioners. 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. The science of Mantra yoga is
based on the fact that sound emitted by any source
is pure energy in the form of vibration of waves.
It is also a proven fact that sound waves do not
deplete or degenerate easily. These waves are the
path or the tool used by a Sadhak to communicate
with the divine entity. It is believed that
repetition of a mantra has the power to release
immense energy and spark a wave manifesting into
direct interaction with the divine intelligence.
The practitioners believe firmly in the near
magical powers of mantras. Mantra yoga recognizes the
power of word association also. This means that
when a word is suddenly said out loud the mind
tends to visualize it and its image is immediately
associated in the mind. This is true for anything
that the mind can imagine or has previously
registered from somewhere. The mantra yoga
utilizes this principle of word association with
praying to different Gods or energy forms by means
of using specific mantras. It is said that if used
this way the mind is able to concentrate on the
picture of that particular God easily. The
principle is based on using mantras to control the
thought process and direct it to the direction of
deliverance.
In this form of yoga a certain
mantra is recited in all its correctness with
proper usage of sound waves and at the same time
the thoughts are concentrated on to the image of
the God or object that is signified by the mantra.
This is a process of using two or more or even all
of the sense organs at the same time to control
the thought process. While chanting the mantra
usually the sense organ of touch is also utilized
by way of using a mala or beaded string or rosary.
This is used for keeping a count of the number of
times a mantra has been recited as well as the
sense organ of touch is directed towards the
thoughts of God.
Every mantra in the ancient
Indian mythology is supposed to be an embodiment
of the following entities: Rishi, Drashta or Seer: He
is the originator of a particular mantra.
Chhandas or voice modulation: This
is the accurate way of recital of a certain
mantra. Since sound energy is utilized here to
create a passage of communication with the divine
it is important to follow it as accurately as
possible. Devata or Deity: This is
the image form of the God for whom the mantra is
basically recited, or towards whom the mantra is
directed. Bija or seed: Every mantra
contains a word or series of words that is
considered to be the essential part or the seed of
that particular mantra. Shakti or energy: This is
the energy part of the mantra. Every mantra
contains the essence of pure energy that is
produced by the vibrations created with the proper
voice intonations. Kilaka or pillar: It is
believed that every mantra contains a pillar or
pin which keeps the Chaitanya or the aroused form
of God hidden inside it. As soon as the mantra is
recited with accuracy and constancy to a certain
number of times, this pillar is removed and the
God is released and becomes visible to the Sadhak
or yogi.
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