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Meditation > Mantra
Mantra is a meditation on sound, typically a repetitive phrase that you make and
one of the most renowned is 'Om Mani Padme Hum' which translates as 'hail to the
jewel in the lotus' where the jewel is the divinity within all things.
The use of mantra is widespread and the use of mantra's serves to help focus the
mind toward the divine and disengage the mind from idle chatter.
Mantra's can be short as in the Buddhist 'Om Mani Padme Hum' or longer as in the:
MANTRA OF UNIFICATION
The sons of men are one and I am one with them.
I seek to love, not hate.
I seek to serve and not exact due service.
I seek to heal, not hurt.
Let pain bring due reward of Light and love.
Let the Soul control the outer form of life and all
events, and bring to light the love which underlies all happenings of the time.
Let vision come, and insight.
Let the future stand revealed.
Let inner union demonstrate and outer cleavages be gone.
Let Love prevail.
Let all men Love.
As we see here mantra and prayer merge, but more typically mantra sings the
praise and the names of God as in Hindu 'Jaya Ganesha Jaya Ganesha Jaya
Ganesha Pahimaam, Sri Ganesha Sri Ganesha Sri Ganesha Rakshamaam' and the well
known 'Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare' which are sung.
The use of mantra in addition to help slow the natural stream of thought
produced by the mind, can over time produce an altered consciousness, or even
super a conscious state as the deity is invoked.
Traditional mantras are mostly written in the Sanskrit or Tibetan language, so
most people need to understand the translation, otherwise, as without meaning
and intent, a mantra has little effect.
In Western culture, one of the best know mantras comes from Thomas the Tank
Engine children's books and TV shows who says, "I think I can, I think I can, I
Know I can, I Know I can" and hundreds of self affirmation mantras have evolved
within the personal growth movement.
In this fashion, mantra works to reinforce belief and self confidence where as
traditionally it is a tool to transcend toward a higher consciousness.
THE GREAT INVOCATION
From the point of Light within the mind of God, Let Light stream forth into the
minds of men. Let Light descend on Earth.
From the point of Love within the heart of God, Let Love stream forth into the
hearts of men. May Christ return to Earth.
From the center where the will of God is known, Let purpose guide the little
wills of men, the purpose which the Masters know and serve.
From the center which we call the race of men, Let the plan of Love and Light
work out, And may it seal the door where evil dwells.
Let Light and Love and Power restore the plan on Earth.
Om shanthi shanthi shanthi
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