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As saguna Mantras have form, nirguna Mantras are
without form. There are no deities or personalized aspects
of God to be invoked. Rather, one uses the abstract
Mantras and Vedantic formulas to assert identification
with all the creation. Because people are of many
different temperaments, not all spiritual aspirants
are drawn to a personal deity. Many perceive the
universe as diverse energy patterns, all connected and
interrelated, and stemming from one Source or Primal
Cause.
For this type of temperament, the abstract mantra
creates a vibration in which the meditator identifies
with the whole of the Cosmos. With the repetition of
one of these Mantras, the meditator loses his
individual identity and merges with nature. He avows
that he is identical with that homogeneous substratum,
that energy or power of existence, which underlies and
permeates all that exists.
All Mantras are hidden in OM, which is the abstract,
highest Mantra of the cosmos. OM is the manifest
symbol of the Sabdabrahaman vibration, or God; but it
must not be equated with the Divine. The universe has
come from OM, rests in OM and dissolves in it. AUM, as
it is sometimes written, covers the threefold
experience of man; A represents the physical plane, U
represents the mental and astral plane, and M
represents the deep sleep state and everything beyond
reach of the intellect. The transcendental sound of OM
is heard only by Yogis, not by the ordinary ear.
Letters of the alphabet are emanations from OM, which
is the root of all sounds and letters. A is the first
sound the vocal apparatus can utter, and M is the last.
In between is the middle range of U. The three sounds
comprising OM encompass all sound. There is no language
, music or poetry outside its range. Not only does all
language and thought arise from this word, but also
the energy vibrations of the universe itself.
Because of its universality, OM can be used as a Mantra
by all who are unable to find a guru. However, its very
universality and lack of particular form make it very
difficult for a beginner to grasp. The mind must be
very strong to be able to concentrate on formless and
abstract Mantras such as OM.
Japa meditation on OM has a tremendous influence on the
mind. Vibrations set up by this word are extremely
powerful. By holding the hands over the ears and
intoning it, one can experience its vibrations on a
rudimentary physical level. No other sound similarly
intoned will have the same vibrational power within
the head.
Correctly pronounced, the sound proceeds from the navel
with a deep and harmonious vibration, and gradually
manifests itself at the upper part of the nostrils.
The larynx and palate are the sounding boards; no part
of the tongue or palate is touched. As the U is
pronounced, the sound rolls from the root of the
tongue to the end of the sounding board of the mouth.
M is the last sound, and is produced by closing the
lips. Pronounced merely as spelled OM will have a
certain effect upon the nervous system, and will
benefit the psyche. Pronounced correctly, it arouses
and transforms every atom in the physical body, setting
up new vibrations and awakening dormant physical and
mental powers.
Just as the various deities are aspects of One Supreme,
so the various bija, or seed Mantras are aspects of
the supreme Mantra, OM. Bija Mantras are seed letters
directly derived from the fifty primeval sounds, and
are very powerful. Generally a bija Mantra consists of
a single letter, although some, such as HREEM, are
compounded. Each has a significant inner mystic meaning
, although on the surface the sound itself appears to
have no meaning at all. Each element of the universe
has its corresponding bija. The sounds for ether, air,
fire, water and earth are, respectively, HAM, YAM, RAM,
VAM and LAM. Every deity also has its own deed
syllable. Because of their innate force, bija Mantras
generally are not given for initiation. Japa on them
may be practiced by those who are in a pure state, and
their use is preceded by intricate rituals.
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