Mantra in Yoga

I have long since treasured a devotional mp3 song that I often play in my house. Recently, I have found it feels inspiring to repeat the words of the mantra used in the song, it is relaxing. I am now exploring more fully mantra yoga.

Mantra yoga helps us to focus our mind by giving a point of concentration to the manta. Repeating mantra can be considered a form of meditation.

Below are some of my thoughts, and readings I have found;

Mantras (or mantrams) are words, phrases or syllables which are chanted thoughtfully and with growing attention.

"Mantra yoga meditation involves chanting a word or phrase until the mind and emotions are transcended and the superconscious is clearly revealed and experienced.Since the mind wanders so much, the music of a mantra easily rescues the mind and brings it back to the object of one’s meditation.Both the rhythm of it and the meaning of it combine to guide the mind safely back to the point of meditation — the higher consciousness or the specific spiritual focus".

As it is said, there is no religion in yoga, but there is yoga in all religion, I began to whether mantra can be used as a way to reach God and if so, does the choice of words matter?

Some mantras are dedicated to a deity and some mantra are not dedicated to a deity, rather are dedicated to our being and the divine.

On Choice of Mantra, says SwamiJi;

"There are many mantras, words, or compact prayers that can be used for Japa and Ajapa-Japa. Virtually all of the meditation traditions, spiritual lineages, and religions have mantra in one form or another. Some words have specific meaning, while others are seed syllables having only feeling, not literal, word-for-word definitions. Some have religious significance, while others are completely non-sectarian. Some have very subtle effects on energy, while others are more like positive affirmations given to train the conscious mind".

Two mantras that everyone can use, 'aum' or 'om' and the popular, 'so hum' which means 'I am'.

If translate the mantra, 'so hum' (Sanskrit) means 'I am' in English, will the mantra have the same effect?

As it is written in the healing arts website , we have to take care with translation;
"It is important to take note here that the “I” referred to in the mantra “I am” is not the egotistical “I” which we usually identify with our personality self, but instead refers to the absolute Self, the non- dualistic “I am”, which is free of attachment to the ups and downs, happy and sad, the constant coming and going of dualistic thinking in which we are usually mired down".

For me, I will stick to 'so hum' because the sounds resonate for me. The sound vibration I feel reaches to a deeper level than just words or language alone.

Can everyone practise meditation regardless of religious identity?

With regards to Christianity, the healing arts website notes that meditation and reflection is included in all major world religions

"Job1:7
And the Lord said to Satan, where did you come from? Then Satan answered the Lord and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.

We need patience and a consistent motivation and effort in the beginning stages of practice until our minds become more focused and clear, so that we can rest in God, without the mind wandering to and fro"

The story and instruction of Christian mantra meditation is told here in the India Times.

"The practice of Christian meditation is very simple. You say your word - from the scripture, or a short devotional phrase. As you recite it you also begin to internally "listen" to it. The word recommended is Ma-ra-na-tha (meaning the Lord comes!)".

Here is a sample for a Christian Mantra mp3 that can be downloaded from The Christian Meditator.

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