How to use mantras

[bhoyay7]

Originally Posted by wanderlusterer

Thanks for all your input :)
I have settled on Gayatri Mantra on the rosary, and alternating with the long aum suggested by peteyzen every 10 beads (where the lord's prayer is usually said)

Om,
Bhur bhuva svaha
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya demahi
Dhiyo yo nah
Prachodayat

Means something like source consciousness in all realms, fill me with light and knowledge and unite me with all that is. The general feel is enough, it's probably impossible to directly translate it anyway

Tina Malia has a really nice version I could use together with a rosary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCJ_n_wumyU

I would use a christian prayer.. Except that most of them do refer to god in a masculine form which i try not to as i believe he is neither and both male and female at the same time, and more importantly, that I feel they are somewhat fear based (deliver us from evil, forgive our sins) rather than focusing on the good. While i understand that reality is not all hippie rainbows, when I allow myself to shift to such an altered state i'd rather keep any negativity out of my head no?

if you do have negativity in your head, and I think everyone does at various points, then try and surrender to it, rather than fighting it away...I think if you do try to fight it or to even alter your mind on only 'good thoughts' then you are controlling the frame of mind...and unfortunately if you are in a controlled anything, its impossible to keep it...

maybe just allow yourself to feel however you are feeling...and with meditation you will start to understand why you are feeling certain things...then you can find root causes etc...try and accept whatever you feel man and don't put any pressure on yourself...just be with what is :)

hmmm... that is also a very good point. i'll think that over, thanks :)

[redstone]

I have never used a mantra before, but have started doing at the beginning of May, I have done 10,000 repetitions so far and it has definately seen a change in my focus...''less involvement in other useless mind chatter'' I also found it was not hypnotic for me as someone had earlier suggested, so the use of Mantras and the bare awareness of mindfullness, and also the letting go and not stopping or getting involved in the chatter and imagery of the mind...all mutually reinforce awareness and concentration.

so it's been a pleasant surprise for me.....I might do this every month!