Louise Fisichella...
Louise Fisichella has studied Comparitive Religions,Yoga, nutrition and health for over 30 years
Yo Prayer and Meditation -
Part II
MANTRAS AND CHANTING
There is probably no other Sanskrit word that has been more popularized, misunderstood, or misused than “Mantra”. We hear it being misused in Hollywood movies, weekly television shows, in print media, and our whole Western culture. The word has seeped into our consciousness without us being conscious of it! Everyone uses it at some point in modern dialog, more often they misuse it.
The original word comes from the Vedic tradition of India and later became part of the Hindu tradition. From there on out many religions used it and transformed it to their systems. The original purposes and uses were to create transitional sounds, words, or short group of words that were determined to have creative and transformative power. Usually the vibrations of the pronunciation of the words, or syllables in Sanskrit were where the power came from. This is why I think that we “Westerners” probably shouldn’t be attempting this without guidance from someone who knows such words and can properly convey them to us.
After several years of study and daily meditation I have begun to respect and understand the significance of many of the Eastern traditions and why they do what they do. Their ways have become sacred because they have been treated as such, and in so doing, empowered them thru repletion of respect and spirit. I can look at my own life and see where I have caused certain things to become sacred. My daily study, meditation, and Yoga practice are sacred to because of the way that I do them and way I view them. We make what is sacred so!
Certain Hindu words are said to be “magical” because of the vibration at which the words or syllables are sung or spoken. Is there a magical note that opens up the forces of the Universe? Or remove “ the Veil of Ignorance”? I don’t know, although I have has some experiences with vibrations and sounds effecting the quality of my meditations. In the World of the Spirit many things are possible. Do I think that Westerners should try to copy these Sanskrit words or vibrations? No.
Being of the Western Mind and having studied religion/science/psychology I recommend against repetitious chanting or praying of any kind. I consider these practices to be archaic and possibly dangerous to the modern mind. What I have seen is people using chanting and prayer as a distraction, a drug. Through mindless repetition the person attempts to put themselves in a “trance”. As far as I can tell, this looks more like Hollywood than anything else.
I also question the benefit of the action. Too many times we take what is sacred and glamorize it until the original purpose and meaning is lost or worse, defiled. Does the practice further the subject’s spirituality? Insight? Or effectiveness? Does chanting benefit the human race? I believe the answer is no, I don’t recommend or practice any kind of chanting in any form.
I know many of you will disagree with me on this subject and I would like to hear from you. If there are benefits I have not observed, please feel free to clue me in! I am always open to new ways of looking at things and re-examining what I have already been exposed to. And I especially listen to those of you who read my articles, you opinions are valuable to me and I appreciate the e-mails! Louise@Higher-Ground.com.
Study, Meditate, Serve,
Louise
As always you can e-mail me and I will help guide you towards more learning and exploration of alternatives to traditional Western eating!
Contact Louise at Go Figure Body Works
E-mail: Louise Fisichella
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