Mind and mantra

Swami Nirmalananda, my teacher, translates the yogic texts as “Your own mind is made divine by mantra”.
There are two kinds of mantra – mundane and divine. Let’s start with mundane mantra first. Have you ever heard the saying that you are what you think? I have and believe it to be true. The minds of our little “s” self are full of clutter. Think of how you use your mind in your day–to–day life? You are consistently thinking of stuff – things you need to do, what you will do next, and about you should have done – and even thinking about what others should be doing or not doing. Isn’t that so true?

Aren’t a lot of your thoughts on the negative side, especially when we think of yourself? For example, have you ever thought that if you were slimmer, prettier/more handsome, whittier – then you would be happy? Or thought that once you accomplish this, have more money, find you perfect soul mate (I could go on and on), then you would be happy? That you would have no future problems? Doesn’t work that way. External people, objects, to make you happier or successful come from your minds. To become happier, you must leave your small “s” self and find your BIG “S” Self. Knowing that you are divine is the key to being happier.

Divine mantra on the other hand puts you in the path Grace which leads you to knowing who you are “Divine”. Both are a form of consciousness. Do you want to use your mind to reflect the “stuff” of the world or do you want to see your own Divine Self?

You do not give up living in the world today. Definitely not. Your must continue your day–to–day relationships and experiences. You can have both. Live your life but with the grace of mantra you will be able to function on a very different level. Your will be here in the now living your life but life will be so much easier and calmer when you know that you are divine as well.

You need to use divine mantra to lessen the impact of mundane mantras in your life.

I will hold a three-week meditation Series entitled Roadmap to Svaroopa® Vidya Meditation on Saturday, October 8, 15 & 22 from 2-4 pm.  Discover how easy it can be to meditate.  Whether you are brand new to meditation or an experienced meditator, this meditation series will give you simple yet powerful tools that will make it easy for you to experience all the benefits of meditation.  In three weeks, you will have the tools, answers, and experiences you need to set up or reinvigorate your home practice.  Cost $65 — early registration discount of $15.

[Source: Teachings by Swami Nirmalananda Saraswati, spiritual leader and master teacher at Svaroopa® Vidya Ashram in Pennsylvania. (C) 2014, S.T.C., Inc., All right reserved. Svaroopa® is a registered service mark of S.T.C., Inc.]