Mantras for Beginners

How often have you heard a mantra and wondered what is meant? Have you ever thought about the power a mantra has to change your life?

This book makes the essence of mantras accessible in the simplest of language. You need this book to realize the potential within you and to make your life more meaningful.

The use of mantras, for self-realisation and for knowing God, has been made in India since time immemorial. Nevertheless, study and research has shown that mantras were used in different parts of the world, by people of all faiths and traditions, although in a limited way. Mantras used in conjunction with other practices, such as yoga and meditation, have been found to yield quicker results.

In this small book, I endeavour to present the theory and practice of mantras as it has been used at our academy for several years. Nevertheless, I wish to thank the authors whose works I have consulted from time to time. My thanks are also due to William. Henry Belk II for discussing various aspects of this book with me. Last but not the least; I thank Jytte Kumar Larsen for providing computing facilities.

Aarti, puja, chanting of mantras — these have been my companions, for long, under all conditions. When we chant the ‘name of God’ we find that it is a combination of sacred syllables. These syllables are different in different faiths and traditions. For example, Hindus call such a combination a mantra. Hence, a mantra might be known by various names in different parts of the world. Such a combination of sacred syllables is believed to have some spiritual meaning, and chanting it leads to a spiritual experience. To understand the meaning and effect of such sacred syllables is the subject matter of this book.