Meditation and Mantras – part five

Mantras

Previous parts 1 to 4 have introduced some of the issues regarding this topic

This part is about using mantras to enhance enlightenment.

We are already Divine.

Part of the Divine World.

However we find ourselves in darkness.

Immersed in addictions, fear, depression, and anxiety

We don’t find or see our true nature until we can move past the darkness into the light.

The darkness is still part of the universe and a very necessary part also.

So our journeys in darkness and out, have been necessary as part of our learning.

We are now ready to be in our true space and place, and to experience this throughout our daily life and activities.

The mantra seeks to make our enlightenment a practical experience.

Something we can do through the body and mind down to the tips of our toes and through all emotional mental and physical states.

The type of mantra that will work requires that we understand the centers of our body.

In Sanskrit these are called Chakras, which translate as “wheel”.

It’s a center that takes in and gives out energy.

Chakras have been discussed in previous writings as well as a Kundalini energy. (The energy that flows up & down between the centers.

Traditionally there are sounds associated with the chakras called Bija Mantras or seed mantras.

However the traditional seed sounds for the centers are not commonly used as “every day” mantras for chanting. (But certainly as a meditation aid).

Theoretically repeating those sounds help you achieve a deeper medication.

There is however another way to access the energy of the chakra so that the negative energy is moved up and out the bod, and the divine energies move down to the specific chakra that is being focused upon.

This focus is achieved with another type of seed mantra

These mantras are allied to the Goddess Energy and to the spiritual path of Shakti, (Divine Energy seen as female in presentation).

This is in essence a Tantric form of using mantras as tantra is “go out into the world”.

The word tantra means to weave, and simply is about applying the spiritual processes so as to be out in the world instead of seeking introspection. Yes this does include sex! After all that is a major component of most human and other mammals’ lives!

By using these seed mantras which relate to specific Divine energy or forms, which are also specific to a chakra, we can put our enlightenment to practice throughout the whole body.

As we meditate on all the chakras through the shakti, (inherent energies), we release the negative power and receive the divine power.

(See also previous writings on Kundalini, Shakti, and mantras).

Tantric mantras can produce almost instantaneous results, due to the awakening of the kundalini, the primal energy or Shakti.

This spiritual growth however may seem negative in experience!

When the chakras are awakened the negative energies within them come out.

The tendency is that addictions, fear, depression, and anxiety etc. can bubble to the surface and could thus create significant problems. (But eventually these are eliminated through the crown chakra at the top of the head).

This is a clearing process, but it can seem destructive.

It can be also problematic if a person is practicing tantric kundalini awakening, using bija mantras without guidance.

That is why the teacher, guides or guru are important throughout the journey.

(See also previous text writings about gurus and about Siddha Yoga or yoga of perfected “powers”, (Siddhis).

The top most chakra, the crown chakra, (and also the Ajna chakra between the eyes), is allied to the “bench mark” mantra, AUM or OM, and is also a seed mantra. The prime mantra of them all!

Unlike all the others OM is not specific to female/male energy.

If this is the sound of the universe, the Cosmic Soul, the Brahma, that transcends everything. It is the key mantra for renunciate monks, or sannyasins, as is enhances focus on the Divine in formless form, transcendent to the world and human life. Used on its own achieve awareness or knowledge of the formless God/Higher Power/Cosmic Consciousness.

These seed sounds have not been developed, but arise naturaly from the Cosmos and inhabit every part of our body, functioning to a specific rhythm, pulse, and purpose.

In descending order after the crown & “third eye” chakra, the seed mantra described below refer to the energy of Sarasvati, (the Goddess of learning) and is based in the throat.

Then the Maya energy in the heart chakra. Maya or Mahamaya as the Goddess, is the loci of our illusion, the world and the created universe. Seems real! Then seems to change, then vanish. Our dreams disappear. Our lives disappear! Its real enough to the unenlightened person, but really we are not solid bodies at all! (Check Quantum physics for the scientific perspective regarding the atom “dance” of so-called solid matter).

Next mantra is associated with the Goddess of wealth, or position, or even food, in the navel area, extending around the stomach area. Without food there is no life, and no offspring, (the fundamental “possession”). Lakshmi is the Goddess energy associated here. This energy includes also sexual and blissful elements.

Then the two lower chakras are associated with the sexual energies or the “dark” Goddess Kali

This repetition, (Japa), of bija mantra, is thus to be allied specific to each chakra, but this is not frequently expanded in ancient traditions and is quite a secret teaching! Treatises about this topic are usually hard to find!

Diagrams below explain both the recognized sounds for chakras and the use of the tantric seed sounds for chakras.

Sahasraram  Chakra Crown chakra  (see note below).

Ajna Chakra                3rd eye – OM

Vishuddha Chakra      Throat chakra – HAM

Anahata Chakra          Heart Chakra –  YAM

Manipura Chakra        Solar plexus (or Fire) chakra – RAM

Svadhisthana Chakra             Sex (or Water) chakra – VAM

Muladhara Chakra      Root (or Earth) chakra – LAM

Om or AUM has always been associated with the third eye or the spot between the eyebrows even when it has not been associated with Kundalini energy or chakras. It is also seen by some as connected to the crown chakra, especially when the sound “trails off “ in the long “M”  AH is also  for the crown chakra, but practitioners of the OM chanting may wish to focus on the final drawn out “M” sound of OM, trailing off into the crown & then out to the ether. This is a very powerful meditation, which may not come easily until other centres have been purified using other sounds.

OM is thus the most well know and expansive of the bija mantras as it leads into the “soundless” space, to formless Samadhi (deepest meditation without thought forms). It can cause the Shakti energy to surge upward and outward beyond the Kundalini chakras.

As used in its pronounced state it is the outward form of what is really a subtle state of sound, not measurable by any scientific means. It is like the sound of space, the ether that pervades all that is beyond our senses and awareness. It is a place where there is no apparent movement and yet there is a subtle vibration that signifies the transcendental Divinity. Om proceeds from deep down in the body at the level of the stomach and moves up towards the chakra between the eyebrows, and terminates with what is called the Chandrabindu, (“the point on the moon”). This is shown above the M letter like a quarter moon with a dot above it. As below

ॐ

The M sound moves into a subtle vibration and ends with that dot which is one with the Divine.

Om consists of A, U, & M. It signifies threes in a lot of areas. One such is the three states of consciousness: waking dream and sleep. Other bija mantras also end with the Chandrabindu.  However their meanings are often somewhat obscured, simply because it is necessary to understand their connection with their energy, or form of the Divine. Knowledge of shakti arising in the kundalini is needed, as well as practice in meditation on their meanings, which will reveal their spiritual connections and purification power.

The seed mantras are part of tantric lore, Goddess worship, shakti/ kundalini energy in a broad sense. Thus the seed mantras should also be considered in terms of both external focussed meditation & for the “reverse” flow of energy back down the body through the chakras. This is an essential concept of tantra & helps spirituality to be ”seeped’ intimately to all parts of the body based life journey.

There is little information on the use of the bija mantras below, with chakras, or perhaps rather very little has been divulged!

Aim, Hrim, Srim, Krim, Klim

Meditate on the chakras,

Use the seed mantras as below

Crown                        Sahasraram Chakra – OM

Brow (3rd eye)           Ajna Chakra – OM

Throat                         Vishuddha Chakra – Aim

Heart                           Anahata Chakra – Hrim  

Solar plexus                Manipura Chakra  Shrim

Sacral                          Svadhisthana Chakra – Krim

Root                            Muladhara Chakra – Klim

Om (Source of all)

AIM – (pronounce Aiim), the bija mantra  of Saraswati, the goddess of learning.

HRIM (pronounced Hreem) is is the mantra of the Divine Maya. Through it we can control the illusion power of our own minds. Mahamaya, the goddess of power over the created universe (of illusion).

SHRIM (pronounced Shreem) is a mantra of love, devotion and beauty, relating to Lakshmi, the Goddess of Beauty and divine grace,to give us the good things of life, including health. It aids in fertility and rejuvenation. Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth (in its broadest sense).

KRIM (pronounced Kreem) is the great mantra of Kali, has a special power relative to the lower chakras, which it can both stimulate and transform. It a main mantra of theTantra. It should be used with care. Kali, the fierce goddess, who has power to destroy.

KLIM – (pronounce Kliim), the bija mantra of Kameshwari, the goddess of desire or contentment and satisfaction.

Aim, Hrim, Srim, Krim, Klim

OM AIM HRIM SHRIM KRIM KLIM (In that order)

EIM (pronounced “e-iiim).

HRIM (pronounced ‘hreem’) has the power to awaken and purify the heart.

SHRIM (pronounced ‘shreem’)

KRIM (pronounced as ‘kreem’) and KLIM (pronounced “kleem”) stimulates and transforms the lower chakras.

These seed mantras are not rigidly applied but rather can be attuned to how you meditate. Thus they could be used for personal wish or desire gratification. In tantric view this is not necessarily “bad’ – just practice at a base level. Ultimately in the tantric view, such diversions are temporary, as the repetition of mantra will always want to lead to the high purified spiritual levels. At such levels one is moved more into the heart & higher chakras, & the Divine etheric space, above & around. Then the mantras of choice would change. OM or SOHAM are preferred.

Soham:  So, signifies God or Guru, and Hum signifies oneself. Repetition is an acknowledgement of one’s essential oneness with God and one’s spiritual teacher. It is to be repeated as one takes a breath in for the first part, and as one exhales for the second. It is also to be repeated when one is already in a quiet calm space, which may require use of other spiritual exercises to achieve. With this mantra one can enter into an extremely deep transcendental calmness. The process of repetition with awareness of breath and deep meditation practice is the path of perfection – the Siddha Yoga. 

Some consider that kundalini arises up and down fully and naturally in one continuous cycle.

AUM

Summary

What is Bija Mantra? Bija means seed. “The bija mantras are one-syllable seed sounds that, when said aloud, activate the energy of the chakras in order to purify & balance the mind & body. When you speak the bija mantras, you resonate with the energy of the associated chakra, helping you focus upon your own instinctive awareness of your body & its needs.”

What is a chakra? In Sanskrit, chakra translates into “wheel”. These “wheels” can be thought of as vortexes that both receive & radiate energy. There are 7 major energy centers (aka chakras) in the human body. They run from the base of the spine to the crown of the head. Emotions, physical health, & mental clarity affect how well each chakra can filter energy. This in turn dictates how pure the energy is that’s emitted from different regions of the body.

To truly understand the transformative power of bija mantras, we need to realize that any form of sound in the universe is vibrational energy. Human speech or words is also a combination of sound waves each of which resonates at specific vibrational frequencies. According to ancient Indian texts as well as the latest works in quantum physics, the whole universe was created through cosmic (sound) energy which was then followed by heat and light energy and eventually life forms. So sound vibrations are intimately connected to our “prana” or “life energy”.

OM is the most important of all mantras. All mantras generally begin and often also end with OM. It connects us with the guidance power of the inner Guru.

All mantra lore & knowledge can be enhanced by repetition of Om Guru Om

Kundalini and Shakti. Otherwise known as the serpent power, kundalini is considered to be like a coiled snake of energy at the base of the spine when dormant. When awakened, the energy, or shakti, arises in a sinuous movement through the center of the spine to the crown of the head, through the chakras.

Shakti is also considered to be the universal energy or goddess energy, the creative force of the Divine. In this sense the masculine aspect is the transcendental and the female is the creation. It does depend on which school of thought of philosophy one reads. For some there is only one unified being, and the world is Maya, illusion. Those who are devotees of the Goddess see journey within  the manifested world as the way to liberation or higher consciousness. This does involve partaking of all the world offers. This is the true meaning of tantra, the spiritual acceptance of the external reality, and all its temptations. (And of course, it’s sufferings)!

Other yoga paths are is a key elements also.

(See writings on Gyana, Bhakti, Karma, and Raja Yoga. The yoga paths of Knowledge, Devotion, and service . Plus the Kingly path, Raja Yoga).

The practitioner seeks perfections, siddhis, so as to gain ability, control and knowledge, regarding all aspects of life.