Lesson 117 - Q&A – Finding a mantra with no meaning?

From: Yogani
Date: Sat Feb 14, 2004 4:05pm

New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the web
archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first
lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"

Q: Since all mantras have meanings attached to them, even Sanskrit
ones, how do I find a mantra with no meaning?

A: Meaning or absence of meaning is in the way we use the sound. In
the procedure of meditation the sound of the mantra is favored over
thoughts that come up, including meanings, so the mantra has no
meaning in that application of sound inside.

Take the sound, "AM." Not only is it a word in english, but it
appears in hundreds of other words -- ham, lamb, sham, bam, cram, and
so on, not to mention the innumerable meanings in other languages. Do
we think of all these words and meanings when we think the
sound, "AM?" No. It is a matter of context, a matter of what the
situation is when we use the sound.

The mantra has a unique context of use. It is used in a specific way
for going inward to stillness of mind. In this method of use, we let
go of meaning. We don't have to worry about pushing meaning out or
anything like that. The method of meditation will take care of it for
us. It is very simple. When we use the mantra we follow a particular
mode of thinking, a procedure, which we develop into a habit that we
use whenever we sit to meditate. Part of that procedure is easily
favoring the sound of the mantra over any thoughts that come up. Once
the habit is in place, meanings don't come up when we sit to
meditate. It is just the mantra. That is what we mean by the mantra
having no meaning. Whatever particular sound we use as mantra in
meditation has no meaning by virtue of the way it is being used.

For details on the procedure of meditation, see the series of lessons
near the beginning of the archive.

The guru is in you.

<  Previous  |  Next  >