The Science of Mantra

Swami Krishnananda

A geometrical pattern may be created when a particular mantra, a bheja or otherwise, is recited as required. That pattern is the visualisation of the god – the shape that the vibration takes, as it were, in the field of outer perception; and we can see the god as we can see our own self in a dream world. But this vision of God, the divinity or the Ishta Devata or the god that we worship through the mantra, is inseparable basically from the stuff of the meditating consciousness itself, and the blessing of this god upon the reciter of the mantra is virtually the higher self blessing the lower self.
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The mantra sastra, therefore, is a great treasure house of wisdom that is bequeathed to us by the great masters; and all students, spiritual seekers, should take to japa. Abstract meditation, nirguna brahma sadhana, may be a great object of aspiration, but we are artharthi, caught by the worldly conditions and circumstances, distracted in many ways socially and personally.
We can be safely guarded and assured that some substantial thing is being done by us by taking to japa sadhana. A systematic routine of it is supposed to bring immediate results in the same way as a diet that we take in a systematic manner gives energy to the body, and if we go on eating in a slipshod manner, at any time we like, in any way, that will not be suitable for the maintenance of health. Discipline means the adherence to a particular method of practice of the japa, such as place, time and circumstance, if it is possible.

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Every day the japa will be done in the same place and at the same time. Space-time collocations being very important in an astronomical way, they act upon us. The cyclic way in which nature moves will see that the adherence to space and time will also add to the success of the spiritual practice; and the method which is the circumstance mentioned is also important. We can successfully adhere to the place and the time, no doubt, but it is necessary also to adhere to the method and the mode of operating the mind at that time, with the requisitesankalpa, which in the case of a spiritual seeker should only be blessing, and nothing more or nothing else.

Winston Churchill

It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.

No Opposition

“To divide and particularize is in the mind’s very nature. There is no harm in dividing. But separation goes against fact. Things and people are different, but they are not
separate. Nature is one, reality is one. There are opposites, but no opposition.”

- Nisargadatta Maharaj

Wang Xiangzhai

In silence there must be movement,
and in motion, there must be silence.
A small movement is better than a big,
no movement is better than a small
silence is all the movement’s mother.
In Movement you should be like a dragon or a tiger.
In non Movement you should be like a Buddha.

As a Man Thinketh

As a man thinketh in his heart, so he truly is.

It is done unto you according to your belief.

I manifest myself.

Curving back upon myself, I create again and again.

Japanese Proverb

Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.

- Japanese Proverb

Inner Castle

Build your inner environment. Practice Silence! I remember the wonderful discipline of the Great Ones. When we used to talk and chatter, they would say: “Go back into your inner castle.” It was very hard to comprehend then, but now I understand the way of peace.

Paramahansa Yogananda