Monday, 12 March 2018
How free are you
March 7, 2018, 10:51 PM IST Economic Times in The Speaking Tree |
Spirituality | ET
P V Vaidyanathan
Most of us would say that we do have free will. We can do anything we
wish. If we want to wear a red shirt instead of a blue one, we can. If we want
to eat a sandwich instead of a pizza, we can. If we want to marry the girl or
boy we love, we can. If we have enough money, we can buy any house, car or
gadget. Likewise, we can travel wherever we want to.
Obviously, it looks as if free will exists. According to Ramesh
Balsekar, all the choices that we make are from the act of exercising the will.
How free is free will?
We can’t choose our parents, and, hence, we have no choice over the
genetic material they gift to us. Also, from birth, we are exposed to
conditioning and belief systems. In the process of growing up, we are
conditioned and led to believe a great many things by family, friends and
strangers, the media, commercials, books and what-have-you. As an adult, we
are, thus, a mixture of our genetics and all these conditionings.
This is our programming, our code. And all our decisions, our choices,
our thoughts and acts, originate from this programmed mind. True freedom and
free will come only if we are able to go beyond our programming. To override
our basic genetic make up is near impossible.
But it is indeed possible to go beyond our conditionings, beliefs,
indoctrinations and ideas. Once we can un-condition ourselves, we will be able
to respond freely.
Quote from the True Charm and Power of Vedanta
MANTRAS
Part 2 - by Guruji Krishnananda
MEDITATION & MANTRA
Sadhana is done at several levels - physical, mental, intellectual and
Spiritual. We do Sadhana at the physical level by Asanas, physical culture,
etc., and gain purity at the physical level. The practice of Pranayama builds
up stamina in us. The Sadhana at the mental level is by Japa, repeating
Shlokas, etc. Japa generates a lot of energies and builds up harmony in the
mind. When we are agitated, if we repeat the Mantra 'Om' silently, all the
agitation reduces within a minute or two. Sadhana at the mental level is for
controlling and sublimating our emotions.
Reciting a prayer, repeating a Mantra is a way to link up with God.
There are also other ways, better ways. After sometime, the repetition of a
Mantra may become mechanical. We may go on repeating a Mantra and yet remain
mentally disturbed. Our attention will not be complete. Being in very positive
moods and filling the intellect with positive thoughts is the first step in
Yoga. We can tune up to God's vibrations better with these things. When we sit
and meditate, it is a much more concerted effort.
There are three types of Meditation - Elementary, Higher and Advanced.
We have to follow all the instructions, during Meditation. When we get
thoughts during Meditation, we have to ignore and not worry about them. To help
this, let us put all our attention on the Mantra. We should not change the
Mantra or Dharana, given to us.
As we advance in Meditation, we realise that we stop repeating the
Mantra while meditating. We think that we forgot to repeat the Mantra. Actually
we would not have forgotten. The repetition would be occurring at the deeper
layers of consciousness.
The nature of the mind is to wander. Let us not try to control the mind
and let us not worry. Let the mind wander. Let us give all attention to the
repetition of the Mantra. The wandering may not stop completely but you will
have a lot of quietude in the mind. During Meditation when you repeat Omkara or
any mantra, the mind goes on repeating. Finally it gets tired and goes into
stillness.
Intellect generates thoughts. We become more aware of these thoughts
while meditating. We should ignore the thoughts, allow them to pass. Dharana
helps silence the Intellect. Again, here, give more attention to the repetition
of the Mantra. Imagine that the whole body is repeating the Mantra.
Most of us are used to repeating a Mantra mechanically. Every time you
take the name you must mean it, when you say ‘Rama’, you must address Him
literally. It is as if He is in front of you. When we repeat the Mantra let us
add our love. When you say ‘Om Ganeshaya Namaha’ think of Lord Ganesha with
utmost love. We can add emotion. With great devotion we can repeat a Mantra.
This improves the quality of Meditations. And we should know the process
thoroughly, then we will never get confused. We start Meditation with emotions,
with repeating of Mantras. After some time definitely we go beyond these
emotions. Emotion is not the important thing. It is only a starting point.
Many listen to Mantra on a music player and meditate. I suggest please
do not do so. The reason is when you go on hearing the Mantra, your attention
will be focused on the Mantra. But the purpose of Meditation is to become silent,
reach the ocean of stillness, expand your Awareness, but when you are listening
to a Mantra you will remain at this level. You will not go beyond the Mantra,
beyond the mind. Understand clearly Mantras help in Meditation only up to a
point. After the initial stages, we have to let go of the Mantras, we have to
let go of the mind.
Also, you cannot just coin a Mantra by yourself. When we repeat a Mantra
we connect to its energy field. Before using a Mantra, a field is created. You
may be repeating a Mantra but there will be no corresponding field of Spiritual
energy.
If you are experiencing Light in higher stages, it is not like the
physical light, the Light is God Himself. Light is a personality. You must deal
with the Light, treat the Light like a person and experience it.
In HIGHER MEDITATION, we go beyond Mantras and forms. We can experience
Samadhi in Higher Meditation.
Samadhi is a state of not doing anything and total silence. In this
state, we expand in consciousness. The Mantra and the Dharana are limitations
to this act. There should be no boundaries. So there will be no Mantra or
Dharana in this stage of Sadhana. When we allow a lot of silence to develop, we
enter the unconscious level easily and experience Samadhi.
In ADVANCED MEDITATION, we go beyond techniques; we go beyond Samadhi.
We require the help of the Rishis, the Light beings, to go beyond Samadhi.
We have to be sincere in whatever we pursue. If we are sincere we will
definitely understand Meditations, practice, and progress. If it is a
half-hearted attempt naturally we do not progress. If you believe in pujas,
rituals, be sincere there also. Try to understand the meaning of the Mantras.
You will understand a lot. If you believe that God does not exist, be sincere
to that belief.
Understand this very clearly - learning more techniques makes no difference.
Practising Pranayama and Mantras help us deal with the energies at a grosser
level. When we meditate we will be dealing with subtler energies. Learning more
techniques does not increase the quality of our Meditations. I suggest you
increase the duration of Meditation.
PERSONAL MANTRAS
A person asked me a question about Mantra and Dharana, “You say you are
giving individual Mantra and Dharana, but these are the same for everyone?” It
is a very good question. I told him that we don’t just give the Mantra we also
give individual energies with it. The same energy is not passed on to everyone.
Some individuals require perhaps more or a slightly different type of energy.
The Rishis are capable of that. That is why they initiate and tune up a
Meditator with Spiritual energies. Every initiation is different.
The same mantra may be given to a hundred people, but to each individual
it is the personal mantra. If you reveal your Mantra, the Spiritual energy
charge that we have given to you will dissipate. The techniques that are given
to you should not be discussed with others.
AFFIRMATIONS & MANTRAS
Affirmations are our intents. Affirmations are truths that we would like
to actualize. The finest example of an affirmation is “Aham Brahmasmi” which
means “I am God”. That is the truth we have to actualize.
How do we actualize an affirmation? It is not just by repeating like a
Mantra. A Mantra can be repeated without even knowing its meaning. We go on
repeating affirmations to ourselves, reminding ourselves that we are God, “Aham
Brahmasmi”. Every time you repeat it to yourself you affirm, “I am God, I am
God”.
Affirmation is not Japa. It is much more than that. It’s a very
important point to note. Japa is repetition of a Mantra. While I affirm I know
this is the truth and I will actualize it. Affirmations are intents. Like, ‘I
want to meditate regularly.’ It’s a very pure intent, so if we go on repeating
it, we will be able to achieve it. When you go on affirming to yourself, first
you will build a Spiritual energy field, and then you go on strengthening it.
That is how it works.
It’s like constructing a house. First we conceptualize, we imagine then
of course then you must go on affirming ‘I want to build, I want to build’ you
will be able to actualize it. Affirmations are very important in Sadhana.
GAYATRI MANTRA
The Gayatri Mantra known to human beings is original and it is complete
but the special techniques and that branch of the special knowledge are lost. A
lot of Spiritual knowledge is lost. But it can be regained, when we start
growing in our Sadhana. This knowledge will come to us when we are ready.
Again, there are still higher levels. There is a level of direct
perception. At that level, nothing is transmitted, nothing is received, but
everything is known directly. It is in these levels that we receive the highest
knowledge. At such a level, Rishis perceived the Vedas, Gayatri Mantra, etc
directly. That is why they are known as Drashthas - people who could directly
perceive knowledge. We should try to interact with the Rishis and God at all
these levels.
When we repeat the Gayatri Mantra as part of the preparation for Astral
travel, all the Chakras are virtually cleansed and this helps the separation of
the Astral body. The meaning of Gayatri Mantra is - Let this system become
Light and help me travel in the seven higher Lokas.
MAHAMRUTYUNJAYA MANTRA
Sanjeevani mantra qualifies one to make an application for life
extension. It prepares a person but before that, it is only a wish. The Higher
intelligence has to recognize, agree and approve. Chanting Mahamrutyunjay
Mantra thousands of times will not help us get over death however it could help
improve health.
MIRACLES & MANTRAS
A person had no job and he had a lot of problems. Rishis gave him a
Mantra. We expected him to repeat the Mantra and also search for a job. This
person repeated the Mantra and met me after two months. He said he was still
waiting for success. We had to tell him the reality that we have to make
efforts both at the physical and the Spiritual levels.
MANTRAS FAQs
Q: What is a ‘Beejakshara’?
A: It is the essence of a field of energy manifested in the form of
sound.
Q: Is it different from a Mantra?
A: No. But it is not generally used as a Mantra.
Q: From where do the Mantras originate?
A: The first sound that emerged from Creation was OM, the most powerful
Mantra. All other Mantras were coined by the Rishis.
Q: Since Om is the sound of Creation, does it link us to God when used
in a Mantra?
A: Yes. The repetition of the Mantra ‘Om’ links us to God and also
brings us a lot of energies from Him. But to establish a link with God, we need
not repeat any Mantra. We don’t have to take the help of any technique. Just
think of Him and you will be in link with God. This is difficult to believe and
that is why we think of techniques.
Q: Is Om a personality?
A: No. Om is a Mantra.
Q: How does a Mantra work?
A: It works in two ways. One—it generates vibrations. Two—it connects us
to its Energy field.
Q: Should a Mantra have a meaning?
A: Not necessarily.
Q: Should we know the meaning of a Mantra when we repeat it?
A: It is not necessary. But sometimes, where there is meaning and if we
know the meaning, it helps. It gives us a great satisfaction.
Q: Should we repeat a Mantra silently or loudly?
A: There are three ways of repeating a Mantra—loudly, by whispering and
silently. Repeating silently is the best way.
Q: When a Mantra is chanted loudly it is more effective. What happens
when we chant the Mantra silently?
A: The first assumption is wrong. The Mantra is chanted by the mind. The
mind is very efficient only when it is still. So if you repeat the Mantra
silently it is very effective.
Q: Does the speed with which a Mantra is chanted matter?
A: No. Not the speed, but the pronunciation matters.
Q: Does listening to a Mantra help?
A: It helps to relax but it is not enough. We have to repeat a Mantra.
Only then it becomes Sadhana. Only when we repeat a Mantra, we get connected to
the source of energy and we receive the benefits.
Q: Does the recorded Mantra played through electronic gadgets carry the
same effect as the oral recitation?
A: No.
Q: Is there any special time for repeating a Mantra?
A: Yes, generally it is better to repeat the Mantra after Meditation or
at the Sandhi Kalas. Some Mantras have to be repeated at a particular time only
and not at other times. We have to gather specific instructions from the person
who initiates us into the Mantra.
Q: Will there be a negative effect if a Mantra is pronounced wrongly?
A: Yes.
Q: What does Mantra Shakti mean?
A: Powers gained by repeating a Mantra.
Q: Repeating Gayatri Mantra always is as good as practising the Shambala
Principles. Is that right?
A: No. Gayatri Mantra brings Energies. The Practice of Shambala
Principles transforms us.
Q: Why Rama-Mantra does not have ‘Namaha’?
A: ‘Namaha’ is not a must in a Mantra.
Q: Why are there two Mantras of the same Deity?
A: To draw two different energies from the same Deity.
Q: What is Ajapa Japa?
A: It is a Japa that continues in the subconscious levels, even when we
stop repeating it at the conscious level.
Q: Is there a personal Mantra?
A: Yes.
Q: Can we repeat any other Mantra when we are not meditating?
A: Yes.
Q: Can we repeat a Mantra at any time we like?
A: No. We have to repeat certain Mantras at certain times only.
Q: Can I repeat the Mantra lying down on the bed?
A: Yes.
Q: If a person casually utters a Mantra or as a joke, will that Mantra
link him to God? Will the energy flow towards him?
A: Yes. Even if we utter a Mantra jokingly or think of God, we link up
to Him. The energies come to us.
Q: How to invoke God?
A: There are many ways. The simplest way is intensely thinking about
God. There are different Mantras to invoke different forms.
Q: If somebody just thinks about God without a Mantra and is aware of
His Presence, will he be in link and will he be guided?
A: Mantra is NOT required to relate to God. A mere thought is enough;
mere Love is enough to get connected to God.
Q: When I just hold this Mala (rosary beads), I find tremendous
vibrations. Why?
A: It contains wonderful energies; the vibrations of the person and of
the Mantra.
Q: During Meditation, we have to silence the body, mind and intellect.
But if we repeat a Mantra and visualize something, we will be keeping the mind
and intellect active. Then how is silence achieved? Is this not contradictory?
A: It appears contradictory, but it is not so. The mind and intellect
are parts of the ego; they are very strong when they are united. By giving two
different occupations, we will be dividing their attention and thus weakening
them. When they are engaged alone in a particular activity, they get bored and
they go into silence. It is to send the mind and intellect into silence that we
keep them engaged.
Q: When everything becomes silent in Meditation, should we then continue
repeating the Mantra?
A: When we achieve silence, even the repetition of Mantra stops
automatically.
Q: Is chanting a Mantra for long periods enough for Spiritual progress?
A: I always say, every way is a way towards God. But, if you chant only
the Mantra, it is a slow process and somehow, we get stuck at the level of the
Mantra. We have to go beyond the Mantra. Going beyond is the key factor in the
Spiritual journey. Mere chanting may not be enough. If we can combine Asana,
Trataka and Dharana along with the Mantra, this becomes a complete process. It
helps us to move faster.
Q: When we focus our Awareness on a particular symbol at a particular
Chakra, what exactly happens?
A: When our Awareness is fixed on a Chakra and a symbol, it helps in
silencing the intellect. This process, called Dharana, has to be combined with
a Mantra for the Chakra to activate.
Q: After meditating with a Mantra, I find it difficult to expand in
Consciousness but it is easy when I practise Shambala Principles. Why?
A: Mantras do not allow us to expand beyond the Mind. There are no
Mantras involved in practising the Shambala Principles. That is why our
Awareness expands.
Q: Can we chant the name of a saint and meditate when we visit a
Samadhi?
A: You can chant and offer respects. When you meditate you have to use
the Mantra given to you.
Q: On what basis a particular Mantra is given to an individual?
A: The basis is, Karmas. Like different dosages of medicine, different
Mantras for different set of Karmas.
Q: Can I repeat the Mantra of my Ishta Devata in Meditations?
A: No you cannot. The technique is like a formula. We cannot modify
that. If you modify, you will not be making proper Spiritual progress. If you
like the Mantra of Ishta Devata, you can repeat it all the time other than
Meditation.
Q: Does the repetition of a Mantra help silencing the mind or do the
energies help them?
A: It is the repetition of Mantra, not the energies that silences the
mind.
Q: Is it the soul or the mind that chants the Mantra?
A: The mind repeats the Mantra. But it is the soul which asks the mind
to repeat the Mantra.
Q. During Meditation sometimes my focus shifts from Mantra to Light.
What shall I do?
A: If your focus shifts from Mantra to Light, let it shift. At such
times do not do anything and do not worry. We just begin with a technique and
let things happen by themselves. Don’t try to control your Meditations. When
you forget the Mantra, know that your awareness has gone beyond the Mantra,
beyond the mind and the intellect, which is exactly what we want. That is the
purpose of meditating. So, be happy about this.
Q. Can I repeat the affirmations while channelling Light?
A: When you channel Light, do it wholeheartedly. Do not mix affirmations
with channelling Light.
Affirmations have to be lived, not just to be repeated like a Mantra.
Repeating the affirmations without understanding them and living them adds to
nothing.
Q. Should we control the mind?
A: We cannot control the mind. Do not blame the poor mind. Control your
Awareness. It is not the mind that wanders. It is our Awareness. During
Meditation, focus your Awareness on the Mantra or on experiencing the Light,
depending on your stage. You will see that the mind does not wander. Even the
thoughts go to the background.
Q. What is the effect of Mantras in Meditation?
A: The main purpose of a Mantra in Meditation is to keep the mind
occupied. When the body, the mind and the intellect are working together, they
are very powerful. To silence them we have to engage them in different
activities.
The body will be sitting in a posture. The mind will be occupied in
repeating a Mantra. The Intellect will be holding on to a thought, which is
Dharana. This is how Meditation happens.
When we repeat a Mantra we get connected to its source and receive
energies from there. These energies cleanse the whole system, the mind in
particular.
Q: What are personal Mantras?
A: Sometimes people are given Mantras individually. Sometimes they are
exclusive and very special. But many times people are given common Mantras like
“Om”. Along with the Mantra, energies are also given. Then the Mantra becomes a
personal Mantra, even if it is a common Mantra.
When a Mantra is given, the person is told not to reveal the Mantra or
the technique to anyone. This is because, when you reveal them to others, you
lose the energies that you received when you were given the Mantra. The
energies go to the people to whom you speak about the Mantras.
Personal Mantras are not required. Our Sadhana here is slightly at a
higher level. We don’t employ Mantras. We are in an advancing age. In the New
Age we don’t use any Mantras or techniques.
Q: While repeating a Mantra, some other Mantra slips in. What shall I
do?
A: Do not worry. When you become aware that you are repeating a
different Mantra, come back to your Mantra, that’s all. No harm is done.
Q: Should we know the meaning of a Mantra before repeating it?
A: Yes, it helps. Whenever you repeat a Mantra, you get connected to the
source of the Mantra. All Mantras have a source, an energy field. For example,
when we repeat the Mantra ‘Om Namaha Shivaya’, we get connected to Lord Shiva’s
energies.
Repeating a Mantra continuously is Japa, which is done to achieve a
material or a Spiritual goal. Before beginning the Japa, one can think of the
goal. A strong thought or a resolution made before repeating the Mantra is
called a Sankalpa in Sanskrit. For the Japa to be effective, the Mantra has to
be repeated at least 108 times or in multiples of 108.
It is not a must to make a Sankalpa before Japa. When we repeat the
Mantra without a Sankalpa, the energies that we draw from the source enter us
and cleanse and tune up our system; they strengthen some processes and
spiritually benefit us if we allow them. We must become aware of the benefits
and thank the energies. If we resist the energies, they remain dormant in our
system until we request them to help us.
When a Mantra is used as a part of the technique of Meditation, knowing
the meaning is not very important. The purpose of the Mantra in Meditation is
to engage the mind in repeating something so that the system gets quietened.
Q: Why do we repeat a Mantra one hundred and eight times and also what
is the relevance in the times when we are going beyond Mantras and experiencing
Light directly?
A: When you are experiencing Light or God directly no mantra is
required. Now the ancient Rishis found out that one hundred and eight is a
mystical number, just like the number nine. That is why any and every Mantra
should be repeated one hundred and eight times.”
The number seven is special; it can be understood as a base unit.
Ideally, we should send Light to a person for a minimum of seven minutes.
Q: What is the meaning of the Mantra “Om Mani Padme Hum”?
A: Padma in Sanskrit means a lotus. Mani means a diamond. This body is
like a lotus and the soul is like a diamond in the centre of the lotus.
Repeating this Mantra is an affirmation that means - I am a soul in this body.
LIGHT CHANNELLING & MANTRAS
The Rishis who gave us the Vedas and Mantras are now teaching us that we
are entering the Light Age; that we have stronger Divine Energies available for
a faster transformation into beings of Light. In the earlier Yugas, they taught
us the performance of Homas and Yagnas; later they taught that chanting the
holy name of God or Divine Personalities was enough. When we live in different
Yugas or periods of Time, the purity levels in our system and those in the
environment are different. Corresponding appropriate Meditational techniques
and approaches to the Divine are prescribed by the Spiritual Masters.
Light Channelling is an advanced Meditational technique taught by the
Rishis for the times we live in. Mantra is not required. You think of Light,
that is enough. Divine Light carries energies which are beyond Mantras.
DISCLAIMER : Views expressed above are the author's own.
But, if He exists?
I drive joy There was a doctor in Benaras who spent
7 minutes in the morning and evening for mediation on God. Knowing this, his
colleagues and friends laughed at him. One day they argued that he was wasting
ten precious minutes on something, which he had been misled into believing. The
doctor replied, “Well, if God does not exist, I agree that I am wasting ten
minutes a day. But, if He exists? I am afraid you are wasting your entire
lifetime. I prefer to waste ten minutes rather than a lifetime. Why should you
grudge me the 10 minutes joy that I derive 4m.
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