The power of Mantras
por Bel Cesar em STUM WORLDAtualizado em 23/05/2006 18:33:25
Translated by Mônica Reis - [email protected]
As we have seen in the previous text about the power of spiritual energy, we may not precisely define what it is, but, intuitively, we all know we need it. After all, is there anyone who doesn’t want to be in peace and in communion with the world that surrounds us?
By the way, when I asked a patient if he had ever felt being in communion with nature, he told me: “I have no Idea whatsoever you are talking about”. We laughed together. But, when we went deep into the subject, we came to the conclusion of how much our mind, uneasy and disturbed by the daily tasks, prevents us from simply relaxing and feeling the well-being wherever we are.
We are tired of carrying the burden of our worries, doubts and misery. We want to feel the easiness of a healthy mind!
For that to happen, we must let ourselves be touched by the force of subtle positive energy, for it acts as a healing balm over our weary minds.
We can nurture ourselves with spiritual energy through mantras: in the energetic quality of their sacred sounds. In Buddhist meditation, we work more with sounds and images rather than the concept of words. This is due to the fact that words stimulate the conceptual mind while sounds and images “touch” the mind. As Lama Gangchen usually says: “Our mind is very `rough´. That is why it needs to be massaged with mantras, to soften its hardness and blockades”.
The Sanskrit word mantra is composed of two syllables: MAN which means mind, and TRA, protect. Therefore, it means “protect the mind”.
The subtle power of the recited words in a mantra is an abstract quality that can only be observed through its effects. In this sense, the mantra acts as if it were in a secret plan, for its power goes beyond images and words.
The secret force of a mantra depends on some conditions. For instance, if the practicing person has received or not the oral transmission of this mantra by a master who has attained its subtle power.
In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the oral transmission is very important; it is through it that the practicing person will receive the transference of power to practice the mantra. That is, the master will activate the secret force of the mantra so that the disciple can practice it.
As Lama Gangchen Rinpoche explains in his book “Autocura Tântrica III” (Ed. Gaia): “When we use the term 'secret' we don’t mean that words, melodies or explanations are secret. All Tibetans can go to a bookstore and buy books about all the most amazing and secret subjects in the Tibetan Tantra. 'Secret' means it is necessary to have a heart to heart transmission so that the instructions can work. The internal experience that each one has is secret, because it is a meditative experience, and when we address to people who have not had them, we can only suggest those through words. ’Secret‘means that the mind has no shape, and, therefore, it is very difficult to account for a mental experience. Traditionally, all the tantric meditator kept for themselves the results of their practices, telling it only to their best friends, so that they could preserve their internal energy. As a result, all they wished to do with the mind (develop compassion, the experience of vacuity or Enlightment) always worked out. This is the reason why so many miracles and special experiences happened in the beginning of the tantric lineage: the meditators knew very well how to protect their precious internal mental energy”.
The force of the healing power of a mantra also depends on the plainness of the intentions of those who recite it. The quality of motivation of those who recite a mantra reveals their spiritual evolution.
A person can recite mantras to acquire material goods and personal power. However, the strength will be much bigger when he /she recites it to develop compassion and love, because this is the original force of the mantra. Thus, he/she will be in tune with the secret force of the mantra.
For centuries, mantras have been being used in spiritual practices to focus and change the subtle energy.
The healing energies brought about by the sound of a mantra are inherent to the psyche. In the Buddhist tradition, these positive forces are featured as deities: manifestations of a transforming force that is inside our minds.
A mantra I like to recite is the mantra of the Green Tara: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA
In Tibetan, Tara is known as Drolma, the “Savior”, because she is the manifestation of the female energy in the enlightened mind: wisdom.
The Green Tara is the female energy of intuition, of creation. When developing this energy inside of us, we have more vigor and disposition to accomplish our projects in life, because Tara eliminates mental obstacles created by fear and laziness. The energy of Tara helps us put ideas into practice in a fast way.
An idea that is not put into practice is only a thought. When we put our ideas into action, we bring life and energy to our thoughts.
Reciting its mantra helps us eliminate internal interferences as fear and resentment. It brings us protection, faith and courage.
OM means the sacred body, speech and mind of Tara.
TARE “The one that delivers from the real suffering”.
TUTTARE “that eliminates all our fears”.
TURE “that grants us all success”.
SOHA means “may the meaning of this mantra be enrooted in my mind”.
The practice of reciting mantras is especially valuable nowadays, because it is simple and direct. All we need to do is relax as much as possible while we repeat rhythmically the syllables of the mantra, out loud or silently.
Simplified meditation of the deity Green Tara
Initially, focus on the problem and ask for plainness to the Green Tara. Ask that you and all the beings recognize the true nature of yourselves, and that the suffering fear causes be extinguished.
Visualize, then, the Green Tara being manifested through a strong Emerald Green light, right before you, while you recite the mantra of the Green Tara: OM TARE TUTTARE TURE SOHA. You may sing it or recite it.
As you concentrate in your requests to the Green Tara, visualize the light in front of you getting more and more intense, penetrating through the top of your head and occupying your whole body with this green light, purifying your doubts and fears, fulfilling your wishes.
When you feel calm and safe, visualize this strong green light, the manifestation of the energy of the Green Tara, going down through the top of your head, passing through your throat, until it merges inside of your heart. Thus, your mind and the Green Tara’s will be united. Remain in this condition as long as you can, cultivate the feeling of trust that this meditation was successful.Then, to conclude it, dedicate this energy to the long life of your master and to all that need the positive energy you have accumulated through your motivation and concentration to make this meditation.
Bel Cesar is a therapist and dedicates herself to assisting patients who face the process of death.
Author of the books Viagem Interior ao Tibete, Morrer não se improvisa and O livro das Emoções by editora Gaia.
Email: [email protected]
