I am not a religious person. I don’t like to blindly follow rules or do something without knowing the reason for doing it. Growing up in India in a Hindu family, I didn’t appreciate the value of mantra recitation. Like everything else that is part of the culture, no explanation is given as to why it is nice to recite mantras. I was skeptical when I picked up the book, “Healing mantras” by Thomas Ashley-Farrand. His book transformed me. Now, I am fascinated by mantras and want to recite them all.
In his book, he talks about how mantras can help us lead our life with more ease. Mantras are words which have energy since they have been recited for thousands of years. In ancient times, people would go to a learned yogi and get a prescribed mantra to get something they desire or to face a difficult situation. Mantras works in the energy body. By reciting a mantra in an ancient language, we are attracting that energy from the universe which gives us more clarity to live the present moment more fully.
The effect of mantras is very subtle. I got yoga teacher certification two months back. I was not able to take the next steps in applying to teach somewhere. I didn’t know what was stopping me from taking action. Then I read this book and started saying “Om Gum Ganapathayei Swaha” because that is the mantra for removing unseen obstacles. Within a few days, I started actively engaging with yoga centers in my city. Nothing magical happens with mantras, I feel that we just get more energy to do the things we want to do.
If you are fascinated by it as I am, pick up the book from your local library. I have taken copious notes from the book. If you want me to lookup which mantra will be a good fit for you, I will gladly do that for you.
Yes, Mike. These blogs are active. I have more blogs to write. Have been busy lately. You may contact me if you have questions by emailing me at swetha@sdharma.com