A Buddhist Mantra.

Originally Posted by Gem

I think everyone should abandon them, but have no interest in influencing anyone to.

In that case may I ask to let this thread be. There are some who would like to talk about bowing, mantra chanting and other rituals that are meaningless to you. No need to say it's meaningless to you Everytime someone shares what it means to them is there.

[sky]

When you use a Mantra your replacing a mutitude of random thoughts into a few meaningful thoughts..... One good way of taming the Monkey Mind imo.

Originally Posted by sky123

When you use a Mantra your replacing a mutitude of random thoughts into a few meaningful thoughts..... One good way of taming the Monkey Mind imo.

Definitely, back in the day when I was following a Guru there was a lot of chanting. I loved it. At some point after a lot of chanting lines between the self/ ego and the meaning of the words begin to blur. Which can feel as if you are becoming the mantra. Which depending on the mantra used can go either way. I sometimes sing because of reminiscing, but my views have changed a bit. These days I experience mantra singing mostly as reminders of being mindful of goodwill to others. As opposed to loosing myself in them.

[sky]

Originally Posted by Gem

I'm quite different and can't agree that ritual and bells and whistles are useful for anyone.

We all find what is useful through our own experiences. I personally cannot see how being advised to not look another Human in the eye whilst doing voluntary work in the Retreats usefull either but He must have and because it suited Him He thought it would suit others, hence the Rule....

[sky]

Originally Posted by Eelco

Definitely, back in the day when I was following a Guru there was a lot of chanting. I loved it. These days I experience mantra singing mostly as reminders of being mindful of goodwill to others. As opposed to loosing myself in them.

Sounds good to me, you tried, experienced and changed to what you deem to be more skilful....

[Gem]

Originally Posted by Eelco

In that case may I ask to let this thread be.

Sure .

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by sky123

Ohhhhhhh, to have been a fly on the wall just sitting and watching

The people who knew me and my attitude towards rituals at that time ... loved my initial discomfort as they sat and watched me conduct the puja.

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by Eelco

Thanks for sharing a wonderful story. I'm glad my post reminded you of such good times..

As you can see, my spiritual mentor knew how to handle "difficult me" very very well and often made her points experientially.

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by AbodhiSky

That's why communities are popular. Spiritual entertainment and a sense of community. The dark side is usually what the leaders and higher ups do behind the scenes. Using people for their own purposes.

The community was an integral part of my "puja (ritual) drama", as described in my previous post, in a very positive, playful, supportive manner.

However, as you duly noted, there can indeed be a "dark side" to communities when the leaders and higher ups use people for their own purposes under the guise of "spiritual guidance". The pathless path is indeed "straight and narrow" like a "razor's edge".

[Still_Waters]

Originally Posted by sky123

When you use a Mantra your replacing a mutitude of random thoughts into a few meaningful thoughts..... One good way of taming the Monkey Mind imo.

In addition to what you wrote, the actual symbology of some mantras serves as a visual reminder of the nature of the Reality (as best as possible).

For example, consider the symbol for OM, which is a mantra used in both Hinduism and Tibetan Buddhism (Om Mane Padme Hum).

Without going into extensive detail, the symbol OM can remind one of the process of the one becoming many. The bindu (dot) can represent the seed thought (mental activity)... the Alpha and the Omega from which all manifests and to which all returns (on some level). The smaller curve is often said to represent the transcendental veil (masking the reality from those who are entangled in the Cosmic Drama) while the three larger curves can represent the various trinities: (1) Brahma (creation), Vishnu (sustaining), Shiva (destruction); (2) present, past, future; (3) the three states of man ... deep sleep, dream, the so-called waking state that is not really "awake" in the Buddhist sense; (4...) and so on.

Hence, simply chanting OM while visualizing the process of manifestation can trigger some very profound meditations. Of course, one eventually goes beyond OM and leaves the metaphorical OM "raft" behind.

For those who may be unfamiliar with the traditional symbol for OM, here is an image of OM.

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