MANTRA

~ ~ a mantra is a word or phrase repeated to aid meditation concentraton ~
the following are a few of my preferred mantras ~ ~



"Ra Ma Da Sa, Sa Say So Hung"
Sun, Moon, Earth, Infinity...I am Thou

`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

"Om Mani Padme Hung"
May all beings have happiness and the cause of happiness, which is virtue.
May all have whatever they need, want, and aspire to.
May all be peaceful - in harmony and at ease.
May all beings remain unseparated from the sacred joy and hapiness that is totally free from sorrow.
May all beings remain free from suffering and the causes of suffering, which are nonvirtue and delusion.
May all be healed and whole again.
May all be protected from harm, fear, and danger.

`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

"Soham"
I am that I am, signifying that the Divine has no limits.

`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

"Aham Prema"
I am Divine Love.

`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`~`

"Hung Vajra Peh"
By the power of will, through the spoken word, I invoke the thunderbolt of my mind.

Yogis eat carrots, not cows

Yoga for the Earth.

Why do yogis select food from the vegetable kingdom rather than the animal kingdom? Read on and find out!

According to the Santiago theory, developed by Francisco Varela and Humberto Maturana, the process of cognition is intimately linked to the process of life. Hence, the brain is not necessary for the mind to exist. While a worm, or a tree, has no brain, they still have a mind.

For the ancient sages of India, it was impossible to draw a final line between animate beings and inanimate things. According to yoga philosophy, there is “consciousness” even in the so-called inanimate world of rocks. This type of “consciousness” is dormant, as if asleep, because there is no nervous system in rocks to express it.

“High” and “Low” Consciousness in Nature

Since mind or consciousness is part of all living beings and lies dormant, even in so- called inanimate objects as rocks, sand or mud, there is an intrinsic, spiritual oneness in all of creation.

Thus, according to tantric yoga philosopher P. R. Sarkar’s worldview—whose ideas have combined yoga philosophy with an evolutionary understanding of the world we live in—we grant existential rights or value to all beings, whether soil, plants, animals and humans.

He concedes that, in principle, all physical expressions of Cosmic Consciousness has an equal right to exist and to express itself, but also that some beings have higher consciousness than others and thus “more rights”.

Evolution is irreversible — amoebas eventually evolve into apes, but apes never transform into amoebas — thus tantra and yoga also acknowledges “higher” and “lower” expressions of Consciousness in nature. This differentiation is crucial—and forms the basis for why yogis eat veggies rather than veal.

According to yoga, there is unity of consciousness amongst all beings, because we all come from, and are created by, the same Spirit, by the same Cosmic Consciousness. But nature is also infinitely diverse, and thus consciousness is also expressed in various ways, both “high” and “low”. Hence, a seedling is more complex and therefore more conscious than an acorn, and an oak is more complex and conscious than a seedling.

Ecological Ethics According to Yoga

Another way of expressing this is that a dog has more capacity for mental reflection and self-consciousness than a fir tree. Both are conscious beings, both are manifestations of Cosmic Consciousness, both have mind, and both have equal existential value — but because of the difference in expression of depth and quality of consciousness, the dog is higher on the natural hierarchy of being than the fir tree.

So when we develop our ecological ethics, both the “low” and the “high” expressions of nature must be valued and accounted for.

Nonhuman creatures have the same existential value to themselves as human beings have to themselves. Perhaps human beings can understand the value of their existence, while an earth worm cannot. Even so, no one has delegated any authority to human beings to kill those “lower” creatures.

But to survive, we cannot avoid killing other beings.

To solve this dilemma, a yogi selects articles of food from amongst those beings where development of consciousness is comparatively low. If vegetables, corn, bean and rice are available, cows or pigs should not be slaughtered. As philosopher Ken Wilber maintains, it is better to eat carrots rather than cows.

Secondly, before killing any animals with “developed or underdeveloped consciousness,” a yogi must consider deeply if it is possible to live a healthy life without taking such lives.

Thus, in addition to existential value, various beings, based on their depth of consciousness, have a variable degree of what is often termed “intrinsic value.” The more consciousness a being has, the deeper the feelings, and the more potential for suffering. Eating plants is therefore preferable to eating animals. As George Bernhard Shaw once said, “Animals are my friends … and I don’t eat my friends.”

Yoga and Sustainability

It is also ecologically more sustainable to extract nourishment from entities lower down on the food chain. Vast land areas are used to raise livestock for food. These areas could be utilized far more productively if planted with grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes for human consumption.

It is estimated that only 10 percent of the protein and calories we feed to our livestock is recovered in the meat we eat. The other 90 percent goes literally “down the drain.”

In addition to existential value, and intrinsic value, all beings have utility value. Throughout history, human beings usually preserved those creatures which had an immediate utility value.

We are more inclined to preserve the lives of cows than of rats, for example. But, because of all beings’ existential value, we cannot claim that only human beings have the right to live, and not non-humans. All are the children of Mother Earth; all are the offspring of Spirit or Cosmic Consciousness.

Sometimes it is difficult to know what the utilitarian value of an animal or a plant is; therefore we may needlessly destroy the ecological balance by killing one species without considering the consequences of its complex relationship or utility value to other species.

A forest’s utility value, for example, is more than just x number of board feet of lumber. It serves as nesting and feeding ground for birds and animals; its roots and branches protect the soil from erosion; its leaves or needles produce oxygen; and its pathways and camp grounds provide nourishment for the human soul.

As a whole, the forest ecosystem has an abundance of ecological, aesthetic, and spiritual values which extends far beyond its benefits in the form of tooth picks or plywood.

All of nature is endowed with existential, intrinsic, and utility value. This hierarchical, and ultimately holistic understanding of evolution and ecology, formulates the basic foundation for a new, and potentially groundbreaking ecological ethics deeply grounded by the philosophy of yoga.

If we embrace the divinity in all of creation, the expression of our ecological ethics will become an act of sublime spirituality. Our conservation efforts and our sustainable resource use will become sacred offerings to Mother Earth, and ultimately to Cosmic Consciousness, the God and Goddess within and beyond nature.

written by Ramesh Bjonnes

Toning the Chakras

Unlock the sacred power of sound by reaching within yourself during silent meditation.

Step 1 — first chakra:

Focus your attention on the first chakra, the root chakra, located at the base of the spine. The vowel sound for this chakra is “UH” (as in the word huh).

Begin to tone an “UH” sound. It should be soft and gentle, as should all the sounds you will be making during this exercise. Continue to focus your attention on the first chakra and project your intention so that you visualize the sound resonating at the base of your spine. Feel it vibrating here, and as it does, become aware that the energy center associated with this area is resonating, becoming balanced and aligned. Make this “UH” sound seven times.

Step 2 — second chakra:

Next, focus your attention on the second chakra, the sacral chakra, located about 3 inches below the navel. The vowel sound for this chakra is “OOO” (as in the word you).

Begin to tone a soft and gentle “OOO” sound. Continue to focus your attention on the second chakra and project your intention so that you visualize the sound vibrating this area. As you feel it resonate here, experience this energy center balancing and aligning with sacred sound. Make this “OOO” sound seven times.

Step 3 — third chakra:

Focus your attention on the third chakra, the solar-plexus chakra, located at the navel area and several inches above. The sound for this chakra is “OH” (as in the word go).

Begin to tone a soft and gentle “OH” sound. Continue to focus your attention on the third chakra and project your intention so that you visualize the sound vibrating this area. As you feel the vowel sound resonate here, experience this energy center being balanced and aligned through sacred sound. Make this “OH” sound seven times.

Taken with permission from The Divine Name

Step 4 — fourth chakra:

Focus your attention on the fourth chakra, the heart chakra, located in the center of the chest. The vowel sound for this chakra is “AH” (as in the word ma).

“AH” is often a sound we make when we’re in love, and indeed, the heart chakra is the center associated with love. Begin to tone a soft and gentle “AH” sound. Continue to focus your attention on the fourth chakra and project your intention so that you visualize the sound vibrating this area. As you feel the vowel sound resonate here, experience this energy center becoming balanced and aligned through sacred sound. Make this “AH” sound seven times.

Step 5 — fifth chakra:

Focus your attention on the fifth chakra, the throat chakra. The vowel sound for this chakra is “EYE” (as in the word my).

Begin to tone a soft and gentle “EYE” sound. Continue to focus your attention on the fifth chakra and project your intention so that you visualize the sound vibrating this area. As you feel the vowel sound resonate here, experience this energy center becoming balanced and aligned through sacred sound. Make this “EYE” sound seven times.

Step 6 — sixth chakra:

Focus your attention on the sixth chakra, the third-eye chakra, located in the forehead between the eyes and slightly above them. The vowel sound for this chakra is “AYE” (as in the word may).

Begin to tone a soft and gentle “AYE” sound. Continue to focus your attention on the sixth chakra and project your intention so that you visualize the sound vibrating this area. As you feel the vowel sound resonate here, experience this energy center becoming balanced and aligned through sacred sound. Make this “AYE” sound seven times.

Step 7 — seventh chakra:

Focus your attention on the seventh chakra, the crown chakra, located at the top of the head. The vowel sound for this chakra is “EEE” (as in the word me).

Begin to tone a soft and gentle “EEE” sound. Continue to focus your attention on the seventh chakra and project your intention so that you visualize the sound vibrating this area. As you feel the vowel sound resonate here, experience this energy center becoming balanced and aligned through sacred sound. Make this “EEE” sound seven times.

Step 8 — silent meditation:

At the completion of this exercise, you may feel very light-headed. You’ve been sounding, resonating and balancing your chakras as the energy moves up your spine into your head and above. Allow yourself a good 10 to 15 minutes for meditation, bringing your awareness fully back to everyday consciousness. At the close, be sure to ground yourself.

During workshops, I tell participants to take this opportunity to sit in silence and have the experience that will be of highest benefit at this point in their spiritual development. I suggest that this is a very nice place to be, so they should sit in a state of meditation and enjoy the experience.

To ground yourself

After you’ve completed the meditation, it’s sometimes helpful to draw the energy slowly back down into your lower chakras and your body in order to ground yourself. To do this, begin to tone a midrange “AH” sound three times, bringing the energy first to the heart chakra. Then, after three slow breaths, tone three of the deepest “UH” sounds, bringing the energy back into the first chakra to completely ground yourself.

The importance of silence and meditation

This entire exercise can take approximately a half hour — sometimes an hour if you’re having a particularly good meditation. It’s extremely transformational, both during the toning, when you’re resonating your chakras, and especially afterward while you’re in silence. Many people have related that they’ve experienced their most profound inner journeys and meditations from this exercise. In workshops, participants are often in states of bliss during the meditation and frequently following it as well. This exercise truly allows you to experience an introduction to the transformational power of sound.

The power and safety of sound

Sound can act like a psychoactive substance, altering and enhancing consciousness. The extraordinary thing about it is that not only is it entirely natural, but it’s totally controllable and totally safe. The experiences that people have are benevolent, blissful and beautiful. This is the wonder of self-created sacred sound — you’re responsible for the creation of it, and wherever you go or whatever you do, it’s completely natural and well within your control. If you need to stop the experience, all you have to do is open your eyes and take a few breaths and you’re back. I can honestly report that out of the tens of thousands of people I’ve worked with using sacred sound, there have never been any adverse effects. During workshops, the only complaint I’ve received from people is that they’ve been brought back and been grounded too soon after the experience — they were having too much fun! I assure them that they can always return to wherever they were simply by continuing to practice this exercise.

Here are a few reminders when you do this exercise (especially the first time):

• Allow yourself enough time to really enjoy the benefits that accompany this toning practice.

• Only do this in a safe environment where you won’t be disturbed, sitting in a comfortable chair or perhaps on the floor. (Never do this exercise in a car or standing up.)

• Allow yourself time after the meditation to relax and fully integrate the experience once you’ve grounded yourself. Don’t come back from the meditation at the end, open your eyes, and immediately rush to pick up the kids at school or go into that business meeting. Honor this exercise, the power of sound, and the experience you’ve just had.

Practice and integration

Once again, be sure to give yourself plenty of time. If you’ve had any difficulty feeling the resonance of the vowel sounds in your body and your chakras, know that the more you practice this exercise, the more you’ll understand how powerful it is, and how to incorporate it into your life. The more you work with sound in this manner, the easier it will be to experience the power of your own self-created sounds. Like any other sort of exercise, it may take some time to become comfortable with it and to fully integrate it into your physical and subtle bodies. The more you do it, the more effective it will ultimately become.

an exerpt from 'The Divine Name' by Jonathan Goldman
article found on GAIAM website