Guruji's teachings
Guruji explains why a busy mind needs mantra first, and how mantra supports each of the eight steps of Patanjali's yoga.
From the teachings of Sri Amritananda Natha Saraswati (Guruji). Original post: Mantra as the Common Link of All Eight Limbs of Yoga, Guruji's blog, posted by Vira Chandra on 25 April 2016 and signed "Amṛtānanda". Guruji works through Patañjali's eight steps of Aṣṭāṅga Yoga. The post has no other quoted book or website. The picture on the original is not used here.
Mantra Yoga
If our mind is noisy, disturbed, hyper-sensitive, reactive, opinionated, critical, or just constantly busy, we cannot silence it. If we are addicted to sensory sources of stimulation and entertainment, we are not even in control of our minds and so cannot focus them in for stability in meditation.
First, we must set in motion forces to take the mind from its disturbed (rajasic) or dull (tamasic) state to its natural clear quality (sattva). Mantra is the practice for changing the nature of the mind from tamas and rajas to sattva. At the same time, it provides us the focus and energy for going beyond the mind. Mantras prepare the mind for deeper Yoga practices. The other branches of Yoga are (Jñāna) knowledge, (Bhakti) devotion, and (Karma) service.
Eight-step Aṣṭāṅga Yoga of Patañjali
Mantra is the common link for all eight steps of Yoga in calming the mind necessary to access the higher Self. Every repetition of intent is a mantra.
- Yama: truthfulness.
- Niyama: non-violence, gratitude, and sharing.
Truth and non-violence are mantras themselves. They are constant reminders that guide our lives.- Āsanas performed while repeating the appropriate mantras bring a greater energy and awareness into the bones, muscles, joints, and nerves, and help us transcend body consciousness. The twelve names of the Sun are chanted during Sūrya Salutations.
- Prāṇāyāma practiced with so’ham, the mantra of breathing, can draw deeper cosmic prāṇa into us for increasing vitality and awareness.
- Pratyāhāra is turning senses inwards with bīja mantras to know subconscious drives.
- Dhāraṇā is placing bīja mantras in various outer locations like body parts of a deity or inner locations like the cakras.
- Dhyāna is flowing meditation on the sound or meaning of a mantra.
- Samādhi is the state of oneness with the object of absorption and bliss. Guided meditations, sacred sounds and music, and graceful dance are some of the best means. In the final stages, mantras drop away, merging into a blissful calm.
Amṛtānanda
Shown in full, word for word, from Mantra as the Common Link of All Eight Limbs of Yoga, Guruji's blog, 25 April 2016.
Guruji's point is practical. If the mind is not calm, no technique will hold. Mantra is a way to calm it first.
In Kaula practice, mantra is a channel. It joins breath, body, sound and attention, so that practice is not only in the head.
The eight steps are not a ladder you climb once. Many people return to the early steps, such as truthfulness and kindness, all through life.
Mantras are best taken from a teacher. Use this page to understand, then ask for guidance.
Guruji attained mahasamadhi in October 2015. Guru Amma Annapurnamba guides the lineage today.
Guruji describes mantra as the practice that changes the mind from dull or restless to clear, and gives focus and energy for going beyond the mind.
Guruji says mantra is the common link for all eight steps of Patanjali's yoga in calming the mind.
He names so'ham, the mantra of breathing, for pranayama. He says it can draw deeper cosmic prana in for more vitality and awareness.
In pratyahara, Guruji says bija mantras turn the senses inward to know subconscious drives. In dharana they are placed in outer or inner locations such as cakras.
He says that in the final stages mantras drop away, merging into a blissful calm.
Read the original: Mantra as the Common Link of All Eight Limbs of Yoga, on Guruji's blog.
If something in this teaching landed for you, the best next step is a short private conversation.
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