Do you know how to practice mantra meditation? It’s a lot easier than you might think.
However, there are a few things you need to understand before you get started.
First, you need to know the different between free and focused awareness. Then, you need to know where to put your attention while you’re chanting.
And then, it’s often helpful to get a sense of what you might experience when you practice mantra meditation.
In this episode, I share some of my recent experiences in practicing mantra meditation as well as some tips on how to practice.
How To Practice Mantra Meditation
Recently, after 14 years practicing a style of free awareness meditation that comes from the Advaita Vedanta tradition, I started experimenting with a mantra.
It’s a tibetan Buddhist mantra which goes like this: Om Mani Padme Hum. So this six-syllabled Sanskrit mantra is associated with the tibetan Buddhist bodhisattva of compassion.
According the Wikipedia,
The first word Om is a sacred syllable found in Indian religions. The word Mani means “jewel” or “bead”, Padme meaning the “lotus flower”, the Buddhist sacred flower, while Hum represents the spirit of enlightenment.
As I was originally taught, the most important thing in practicing a mantra, is your intention. To give all of yourself and bend your mind completely to the chanting of the mantra, whether silently or out loud.
While your chanting, it’s also important to keep in mind the core meaning of the mantra…in this case, compassion.
Show Notes
- If you enjoyed this podcast, you may also like the Meditation for Life Mini Course
- Learn more about free awareness meditation with How To Free Your Mind & Discover Deep Peace
- Take a self-paced introduction to meditation and explore the Meditation For Life Core Training Program
- Leave us a rating & review on iTunes
Morgan you have really excelled yourself with this, (0M067) today Thank you so very much, this is the first time I became absolutely absorbed and will most certainly try this. I will now attempt to get to i.tunes to rate (as you call it The Show!) Not to good at finding my around these sites. BUT again many thanks.
Thank you so much Shirley. I really appreciate you warm-hearted support and I’m happy to hear about your positive experience of absorption. That’s awesome. Thanks so much for attempting to leave the rating and review. I know that sometimes it can be tricky when you’re in the UK to leave it for a US-based show. I’m thankful for your sentiments nevertheless. Cheers!
Apologies Morgan I wanted to rate your ‘Show’ BUT cannot work out how to do it having got to itunes I was lost. BUT i would have given you 5 star rating! Shirley Johnson
I can’t wait to listen to this one. I’ve been looking all over this past week for just this information. Thank you!
Great! I hope you enjoy it Connie. You might also like my interview with Tom Bershad about Transcendental Meditation, where he discusses that kind of mantra practice. You can find that episode here: https://aboutmeditation.com/podcast/how-to-practice-transcendental-meditation/
I enjoyed today’s podcast and all the good insights you share. I benefit from all your years of meditation. Thanks Morgan
Thanks so much for your feedback Susan. I’m thrilled to hear it.
I have never tried mantra meditation, I have generally stuck to a guided meditation audio or just slowly focusing on my breathing. I can’t wait to give this a try! That is one of my favorite things about meditation, there is so many variations all which such healing capabilities!
Super! Really happy to hear it Alex.