Hari
Om
Monday is AUM-day; in search of meditation.
For the next stage of our investigation on
meditation, we are going to study - and practice! - japa as a means to tame the
mind and we shall investigate the Gayatri Mantra.
By
now, if you are reading this, it is hoped you are already starting practice. It
may be worth mentioning that another way to count is to have 108 beads loose in
a bowl and another bowl to the side. A bead may be picked up and rolled as the
mantra is recited then dropped into the other bowl. They would ideally be
placed on the altar at waist to chest height. This method, though, is better
for use in pujas and can be a tad distracting when working towards meditation.
It is a place to start though.
Now
then… mantras. A mantra can be considered as a verbal symbol. It may consist of
a single word (AUM) or several words/syllables. You will have gathered by now
that Sanskrit is, apart from much else, a very tonal language, therefore it
sits well in rhythms and pitches. In many ways it is closer to things like
plain chant in the Western tradition that it is to straight prayers, which are
generally only spoken and do not have any requirement of voice pitch or beat.
In the Western focus, there is a tendency to perceive God as 'other' to which
we must make supplication for boons, whilst in the East it is that the 'me' who
is chanting or praying has become separated and is seeking to unify with the
Divine once more. When praying or chanting in the West, the words are all from
individuals and, although reference may be made to scripture, rarely contain
actual scripture within them. In the Sanskrit tradition, all chants/prayers
which are classified as 'mantra' arise directly from shaastra. Nothing of the individual
using them is permitted to taint the word-symbols.
In
the Western tradition the focus tends to be an attempt to bring God to
ourselves; in the Eastern, it is that we seek to rise to God.
This
is why the mantras are often personalised for the shishya by the Guru. There
are many mantras which do not require 'permission' to use, though; given
mantras are for advanced and fully-focused saadhakas. The key thing is, there
is a method of reaching to the Higher for everyone, for every temperament and
for every walk of life. For those who struggle with focus, the use of murti,
cross or crescent form is useful, until such time as practice permits the
seeker to at last meditate upon the formless.
All
mantras are available to be seen within the shaastras, but it is when we change
the usage (as we do in japa for example), the emphasis and pertinence of the
words takes on a different 'chemistry', as it were. Much is made, in some
circles, about 'Guru initiation' - this is fine in its place, but do not be put
off japa or meditation practice simply because you are not yet in the presence
of a true mahatma! Begin now! Delay not! Be the flower attempting to reach out
to the sun in order for your petals to open… when truly available, the
'pollinator' will arrive to ensure your progress. There are plenty of mantras
which can be taken up by the novice. This has been written about before (click
here for post). ...indeed japa and mantras, including Gaayatri have been
discussed prior; with each text and review of the procedures and techniques,
however, we can either correct our current practice, or find that we learn
something new. Never fall into the trap of thinking 'oh I know all this…'!
Repetition and review is the essential part of learning.
Till
now, also, many of you who are starting this strange new spiritual technique
will have been focusing on the act itself, less than the connection it can
afford with the Higher. This is perfectly normal. Important to remember,
though, as you progress with practice, that the aasana, the beads, the Iishta
devata even the japa itself are but 'levers'. They are tools to aid the process
of tuning the mind to the Divine. Let not the actions become the only thing
happening in japa meditation. Be warned, it is all too easy to fall into habit
and 'lip service'. Chanting can become automatic whilst monkey mind is off
playing elsewhere!!!
Japa
must be an all-out, full and intense exercise in focus on one thing and one
thing only. Brahman/Yeshu/Om. Pour your whole being into the exercise. Permit
no distraction within. The ironing and washing up must not become the excuse
for failure in focus.
SAADHANA
Take
aasana, settle praana, lift the mala and call upon the Divine. If you have not
already done so, select a mantra with which you are comfortable (see that link
above) and get started! Remember, rather do little and often, than make big
attempts only when you think you have time. One mala done daily will have more
benefit long-term. Set yourself that goal this week - rise fifteen minutes
earlier, bathe, sit and roll one mala with fully dedicated focus on the chosen
mantra. Don't forget to log your own progress and observations in the little note
book.
Furthermore, do not forget to review all previous writings on the subject; use the labels host on sidebar for 'mantra', 'japa' and so on; some posts will be available in more than one label, but some will be dedicated. Build your memory and the wider picture. Review, review, review - do, do, do!
