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The Mantra Mystery
The Mantra Mystery
that the following 16 are usually given: eng-em-enga-ema - aeag- aem - aenga - aema -
shiring- shirim - hiring- hirim - kiring-kirim-shyam-shyama. Each of these mantras is given
to a particular age group. For instance, those between 26 and 30 years are given shiring.
(So much for the claim of a personalised mantra!) On inspection these mantras turn out to
be "seed-mantras", magical invocations of the main Hindu gods. The first eight mantras are
variations of "Aim", the invocation of Sarasvati, wife of Brahma and Goddess of all creative
arts. "Hirim" calls on Shiva, "Shirim" on the Goddess Lakshmi and "Kirim"on Kalika.
To understand the force of this, one should enter Hindu philosophy. The origins of the
universe are thought to be linked to sounds. The more basic the sound, the greater its
religious and magical power. "Seed-mantras" are considered extremely powerful because in
themselves they express and make present the original divinities at the root of existence.
As D. S. Sarma puts it: "A mantra is not a mere formula or a magic spell or a prayer; it is an
embodiment in sound of a particular deity. It is the deity itself. And so, when a mantra is
repeated a hundred times, or a thousand times, or even more, and the worshipper makes
an effort to identify himlself with the worshipped, the power of the deity comes to his
help."
I found this webpage and it has a different way to pronounce the mantra I
was
taught. Those of you who were teachers, is this way correct? For example,
hearim (as in 'hear') instead of herim (as in 'her'). Is this list even valid?
Thx for any information anyone might have!
Cheers
Bill
Transcendental Meditation TM
Transcendental Meditation is a specific and wonderful technique of mantra
meditation that has been discovered and developed by the great and famous
Gurudev Shri Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the 20th century. I have been
initiated
at young age while I was a teenager and later in my life I became initiated
again for the second time.
I have tried a lot of mantras and meditations, but I must admit that
Maharishi
's technique and insight still is the best and most effective of all meditation
techniques.
The mantras that are used are derived and modified versions of the originial
Sanskrit Tantric Shakti Beej Beeja Bija Mantras (AIM or AING for Godess
Sarasvati, SHRIM or SHRING for Godess Laksmi, HRIM or HRING for
Godess
Maheshvari and KRIM or KRING for Godess Kali) which are commonly
found in the
books and traditions of Tantric Hinduism.
Maharishi has modified these sanskrit mantras in a specific way such that
they
are very easy to think. By this modification the mantras also possess a very
special quality : the have the specific quality to be thought and experienced
at finer levels very easily in comparison to the original Sanskrit versions
(see above) and also in comparison to other thoughts or objects of
meditation.
It is his genius and accomlishment that he discovered and developed this.
The modificated mantras are :
SHRIM or SHRING (original sanskrit version) becomes modified (TM
version) :
SHEARING or SHEARIM
HRIM or HRING (original sanskrit version) becomes modified (TM
version) :
HEARING or HEARIM
KRIM or KRING (original sanskrit version) becomes modified (TM version)
:
KEARING or KEARIM
AIM or AING (orginal sankrit version) becomes modified (TM version)
:ING, IM,
INGA, IMA, AING, AIM, AINGA or AIMA
SHYAM (original sanskrit version) becomes modified (TM version) :
SHEEYAM
Correct Pronuniciation : the "EA" is pronounced as the "EA" in "HEAR"
or "EAR"
the "I"is pronounced as the "I" in
"SING" or "RING"
the "A" in SHEEYAM is pronounced
as the "A" in "ARMY"
the "AI" in AING or AIM is
pronounced as the "I" in " I'm "
Method of giving the mantras :
In TM the mantras are given according to the age at the time of initiation :
Age group between 0 and 10 years : ING is used Pronounce as "ING" in
"Swing"
Age group between 10 and 12 years : IM is used Pronounce as "IM" in
"DIM"
Age group between 12 and 14 years : INGA is used Pronounce as "ING"
in
"Swing" and "A" in "Ah"
Age group between 14 and 16 years : IMA is used Pronounce as "IM" in
"dim"
and "A" in "Ah"
Age group between 16 and 18 years : AING is used Pronounce as
"eye"+ING
Age group between 18 and 20 years : AIM is used Pronounce as " I'm "
Age group between 20 and 22 years : AINGA is used Pronounce as
"eye+ING+"A"
withe the "A" as in "Ah"
Age group between 22 and 24 years : AIMA is used Pronounce as
"I"+"EEM" (as in
"Seem")+ "A" as in "Ah"
Age group between 24 and 30 years : SHEARING is used Pronounce as the
"EA" in
"Shear" and the ING in "swing"
Age group between 30 and 34 years : SHEARIM is used Pronounce as
"EA" in
"Shear" and "IM" in "dim"
Age group between 35 and 39 years (in America) : HEARING is used
Pronounce as
"EA" in "Hear" and ING in "ring"
Age group between 35 and 39 years (in Europe) : HEREENG is used
Pronounce as
"E" in "hedge" and "EE" in "see"
Age group between 40 and 44 years (in America) : HEARIM is used
Pronounce as
"EA" in "hear" and "IM"" in "dim"
Age group between 40 and 44 years (in Europe) : HEREEM is used
Pronounce as
"E" in "hedge" and "EE" in "see"
Age group between 45 and 49 years : KEARING is used Pronounce as
"EA" in
"dear" and "ING" in "ring"
Age group between 50 and 55 years : KEARIM is used Pronounce as "EA"
in "ear"
and "IM" as in "dim"
Age group between 55 and 60 years : SHEEYAM is used Pronounce the
"EE" as in
"See"+ "A" (as in "Army")+"M"
Age group of 60 years and above : SHEEYAM is used Pronounce the "EE"
as in
"see"'+"A" (as in "Army")+"M"
official TM teacher guide to tell to students.
The main principle during Transcendental Meditation is thinking the mantra
effortlessly :
"In this meditation, we do not concentrate, we do not try to think the mantra
clearly. Mental repetition is not a clear pronunciation, rather it is a faint
idea. We don't try to make a rhythm of the mantra. We don't try to control
thoughts. We do not wish that thoughts should not come. If a thought comes,
we
do not try to push it out. We don't feel sorry about it. When a thought comes,
the mind is completely absorbed in the thought. And if at any time you seem
to
be forgetting the mantra, don't try to hold on. Whenever we forget the
mantra,
we come back to to it very quietly. It is a very simple and natural process.
"When we become aware that we are not thinking the mantra, then we
quietly come
back to the mantra. Very easily we think the mantra and if at any moment
we
feel that we are forgetting it, we should not try to persist in repeating it.
Only very easily we start and take it as it comes and do not hold the mantra
if
it tends to slip away.
"The mantra may change in different ways. It can get faster or slower,
louder
or softer, clearer or fainter. Its pronunciation may change, lengthen or
shorten or even may appear to be distorted or it may not appear to change
at
all. In every case, we take it as it comes, neither anticipating nor resisting
change, just simple innocence."
"There is no need to try to stop thinking because thoughts are a part of
meditation. Even if the mind is filled with other thoughts while the mantra is
going on, there is no conflict. Our concern is with the mantra, and if other
thoughts are there along with it, we do not mind them and we don't try to
remove them. We are not concerned with them, we innocently favor the
mantra."
"Noise is no barrier to meditation. Even in a noisy market, it is possible to
be thinking thoughts and whenever we can think, we can meditate. So one
can
think the mantra comfortably even though aware of outside noises. We just
innocently favor the mantra and do not try to resist noise in any way."
"Even with some discomfort we should be able to meditate, for anyone who
can
think can meditate, and even with some bodily discomfort, it's our
experience
that we do not lose the natural ability to have thoughts."
"One thing is very important, that we do not try to meditate. We do not try to
keep the tempo of the mantra the same, nor do we try to change the tempo.
And,
we do not concentrate against thoughts we might have, or against noises we
might hear. We do not resist thoughts, we do not resist noise, we do not
resist
the mantra changing or disappearing, we do not resist anything. We take it
as
it comes. It is a very simple, natural, innocent process. When we meditate at
home, we start with half a minute sitting easily. That means, close the eyes
about half a minute and then start the mantra easily. And when we want to
end
meditation then we stop thinking the mantra inside, but do not open the eyes
for about 2 minutes. This is very important that we start with half a minute
of
silence and end with 2 minutes of silence."
Advanced Techniques
In Transcendental Meditation there are several advanced techniques that
can be
used to meditate.
The advanced techniques consist of adding a prefix and/or suffix to the basic
mantra.
The prefix can be : "Shree" or "Shree Shree" with the "Sh" as pronounced
in
"Shrimps and the ""ee" as pronounced in "we".
The suffix can be : "Namah" or "Namah Namah" with the "a" pronounced
as the "e"
in "The" or "a".
For example :
If you basic mantra is "Shearing", then the advanced mantra's can be :
Shearing Namah
or
Shree Shearing Namah
or
Shree Shearing Namah Namah
or
Shree Shree Shearing Namah
or
Shree Shree Shearing Namah Namah
or
Shree Shree Shearing Shearing Namah Namah
You can start with "Shearing Namah", if "Shearing" is your basic mantra.
And
after meditating for some minutes you can continue with "Shree Shearing
Namah",
after some minutes you can continue with "Shree Shree Shearing Namah
Namah"
and after some minutes you can continue with "Shree Shree Shearing
Shearing
Namah Namah"" according to your own need and feeling. It is no problem
to
switch between the basic mantra and the different advanced mantra's during
meditation. One of the advanced techniques also consistes of thinking the
mantra in the Heart area (bottom of sternum) form time to time (second or
minutes) with a soft focus on that area. You should follow your own need
and
feelings.
Meaning of "Shree" and "Namah" :
"Shree" signifies "Shakti", "Light", "Abundance", "Energy", "Life",
"Kundalini", "Nourishment" in the more abstract sense of the word. In
a more
concrete sense it also means "Lakshmee" or The Godess of Wealth and
Beauty.
It is a very powerful word. By adding this word as a prefix to the mantra
results in more joy and enjoyment during meditation and the basic mantra
becomes very powerful. "Shree" feels like Sweet Nectar. "Shree" touches
and
caresses the Kundalini Energy in our energy-body (astral or pranic body)
and
that is why we experience is as "Sweet Nectar or Sweet Honey". "Shree"
nourishes our body and mind.
"Namah" means "bowing down to", "surrender yourself to", "give space to",
"let
That Other Principle Be""
It is a very good word to conclude the prefix and the basic mantra, because
it
also delimits the Prefix and the Basic mantra. By this means we get an
complete
and very powerful advanced mantra.
William Parkinson:
> I tried to trace back my own mantra within the
> Advaita-shakti tradition and found that it was
> recorded in Shankara's 'Saundaryalahari.'
>
"According to the Shankaracharya of Sringeri, the
Adi Shankara placed the Sri Chakra, symbol of
Tripurasundari, with the TM mantras inscribed
thereon, at each of the seats of learning - Dwarka,
Puri, Sringeri, and at Jyotirmath. The mantras of
TM are DIRECTLY related to Sri Vidya.
Read more:
Sri Vidya:
http://www.rwilliams.us/archives/srividya.htm
Transcendental Meditation TM
Transcendental Meditation is a specific and wonderful technique of mantra meditation that has been
discovered and developed by the great and famous Gurudev Shri Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in the 20th
century.
I have been initiated at young age while I was a teenager and later in my life I became initiated again for the
second time.
I have tried a lot of mantras and meditations, but I must admit that Maharishi 's technique and insight still is
The mantras that are used are derived and modified versions of the originial Sanskrit Tantric Shakti Beej
Beeja Bija Mantras (AIM or AING for Godess Sarasvati, SHRIM or SHRING for Godess Laksmi, HRIM or
HRING for Godess Maheshvari and KRIM or KRING for Godess Kali) which are commonly found in the
Maharishi has modified these sanskrit mantras in a specific way such that they are very easy to think. By
this modification the mantras also possess a very special quality : the have the specific quality to be thought
and experienced at finer levels very easily in comparison to the original Sanskrit versions (see above) and
also in comparison to other thoughts or objects of meditation. It is his genius and accomlishment that he
SHEAREEM
HRIM or HRING (original sanskrit version) becomes modified (TM version) :HEAREENG or HEAREEM
KRIM or KRING (original sanskrit version) becomes modified (TM version) :KEAREENG or KEAREEM
AIM or AING (orginal sankrit version) stayes the same : AING or AIM
In TM the mantras are given according to the age at the time of initiation :
Initiation Ceremony :
For optimal results and benefits it is necessary that you are initiated by a TM teacher. A small ceremony is
done in which the blessing is asked for the one who is initiated. It is my personal experience that this
initiation ceremony is absolutely necessary for getting good results with the meditation.
The main principle during Transcendental Meditation is thinking the mantra effortlessly :
"In this meditation, we do not concentrate, we do not try to think the mantra clearly. Mental repetition is not a
clear pronunciation, rather it is a faint idea. We don't try to make a rhythm of the mantra. We don't try to
control thoughts. We do not wish that thoughts should not come. If a thought comes, we do not try to push it
out. We don't feel sorry about it. When a thought comes, the mind is completely absorbed in the thought.
And if at any time you seem to be forgetting the mantra, don't try to hold on. Whenever we forget the mantra,
"When we become aware that we are not thinking the mantra, then we quietly come back to the mantra.
Very easily we think the mantra and if at any moment we feel that we are forgetting it, we should not try to
persist in repeating it. Only very easily we start and take it as it comes and do not hold the mantra if it tends
to slip away.
"The mantra may change in different ways. It can get faster or slower, louder or softer, clearer or fainter. Its
pronunciation may change, lengthen or shorten or even may appear to be distorted or it may not appear to
change at all. In every case, we take it as it comes, neither anticipating nor resisting change, just simple
innocence."
"There is no need to try to stop thinking because thoughts are a part of meditation. Even if the mind is filled
with other thoughts while the mantra is going on, there is no conflict. Our concern is with the mantra, and if
other thoughts are there along with it, we do not mind them and we don't try to remove them. We are not
"Noise is no barrier to meditation. Even in a noisy market, it is possible to be thinking thoughts and
whenever we can think, we can meditate. So one can think the mantra comfortably even though aware of
outside noises. We just innocently favor the mantra and do not try to resist noise in any way."
"Even with some discomfort we should be able to meditate, for anyone who can think can meditate, and
even with some bodily discomfort, it's our experience that we do not lose the natural ability to have
thoughts."
"One thing is very important, that we do not try to meditate. We do not try to keep the tempo of the mantra
the same, nor do we try to change the tempo. And, we do not concentrate against thoughts we might have,
or against noises we might hear. We do not r esist thoughts, we do not resist noise, we do not resist the
mantra changing or disappearing, we do not resist anything. We take it as it comes. It is a very simple,
natural, innocent process. When we meditate at home, we start with half a minute sitting e asily. That
means, close the eyes about half a minute and then start the mantra easily. And when we want to end
meditation then we stop thinking the mantra inside, but do not open the eyes for about 2 minutes. This is
very important that we start with half a minute of silence and end with 2 minutes of silence."
Below here I offer you some questions which may aid you in thinking the mantra effortlessly :
1. " When we close our eyes, naturally we feel some quietness, some silence, yes ?"
4. "Did you notice how spontaneously, how effortlessly these thoughts come?"
5. " Did you notice that a thought comes naturally, effortlessly and spontaneously?"
6. " Did you notice that thoughts come without any effort?"
7. This is how we should think the mantra effortlessly. We close our eyes and sit easily. After about half a
minute, we begin to think the mantra in that same effortless way as we think other thoughts.
For example, if you were born in New York City on January 1, 1970 at 5.30pm,
your nakshatra will be Chitra and pada will be 2, making your seed mantra Po
and your personal primordial sound meditation mantra: Om Pom Namah!
Do not resist any thoughts that may flood your consciousness and distract you
from the chanting. Let them come and go.
There are people who believe in charging money for giving you your beej mantra.
I, on the other hand, believe that something as divine and as natural as the
primordial sound meditation should be free and available to all.
LABELS: TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION