Mantra, chanting and related practices are often extremely effective methods of working with mind and experience. Some of the aspects of this type of practice that make it so effective are:
- Body, speech and mind can all be employed simultaneously, leading to calming of the 3 forms of fabrication.
- The repetitive nature of the practices can make them quite easy and accessible for many, not leaving much that needs to be unnecessarily thought about or analyzed.
- Mind is brought back to the method with each syllable, again and again, often leading to greater experience of samadhi even for those that don’t seem to excel at “concentration” practices.
- As the syllables flow through mind, experience grows more stable, clear, adaptable and luminous.
- When employed with natural breathing, a helpful synergy often develops leading to greater peace and calm.
- Practice all throughout life quickly becomes quite intuitive.
- Helpful karma is created many, many times, while unskillful karma is often starved and spins itself out.
- Memory is often sharpened, and confidence gained as the mantra or chant takes hold and becomes more effortless.
- The nature of these practices is such that mind is trained to let go and let things flow naturally.
- These practices also often support and synergize well with other liberating practices.
Below are some Buddhist mantras or chants that can be undertaken as practices. To do so, simply begin chanting one of these repeatedly for a set period of time (10-60 minutes is a good start) as well as all throughout the day when speaking is not necessary. The chanting can be done out-loud, silently with the breath, silently without the breath or listened to internally once it gets “stuck in your head”. Experiment and find what intuitively seems to work best for you.
If you find mantra or chanting practice takes hold for you and you wish to learn more, feel free to contact me to discuss how to work with it. There are quite a few ways to work and explore with mantra.
Heart Of Heroic Progress Mantra
- Oṁ, anale anale viśada viśada, vīra vajradhare, bandha bandhani, vajrapāṇi, phaṭ hūṁ trūṁ phaṭ, svāhā
Amitabha Rebirth In The Pure Land Mantra
- Namo amitābhāya tathāgatāya, tad-yathā, oṁ amṛtod bhave, amṛta siddhaṁ bhave , amṛta vikrānte, amṛta vikrānta-gāmini, gagana kīrti-kare svāhā
Heart of Perfection of Wisdom Mantra
- Oṁ, gaté, gaté, pāragaté, pārasaṃgaté, bodhi, svāhā
Amitabha Buddha Recitation
- Namo Amitabha/Amitofo
- Amitabha/Amitofo
Avalokiteśvara Bodhisattva Recitation
- Namo Gwan Shi Yin Pusa
- Gwan Yin Pusa
Vajrasattva Purification Practice
- Oṃ Vajrasattva hūṃ
One That Has Awakened
- Buddho
Perfection Of Wisdom In One Syllable
- A