introduction jnani raja hatha tantric kundalini laya mantra karma bhakti sufism vajrayana zen taoist
Mantra Yoga
In this Yoga a mantra comprising a syllable, a word or a phrase is repeated (japa) with a view to quietening the mind. Japa may be silent or vocal. The word(s) repeated may be the name(s) of the object of devotion, usually a god. The chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is an example of this type of Mantra Yoga. Similar practices exist in Sufism, Vajrayana and even in Christianity. In these cases the Mantra Yoga is an aspect of Bhakti Yoga with the object of drawing close to God or even merging with God.
Sometimes the mantra is a meaningless syllable. In this case it usually is associated with a particular chakra or aspect of the subtle body and is meant to activate and energise it. (The chakra will also have a resident deity with which the mantra is therefore related, though it is not exactly the name of that deity.) The sound of the mantra represents a vibrational frequency which invokes a part of the whole which is conceived of as a vast sea of vibrations. Mantra Yoga here is Tantric in its emphasis.
The mantra may be a phrase with a complex of doctrinal meanings attached to it. Om mane padme hum is such as phrase.
introduction jnani raja hatha tantric kundalini laya mantra karma bhakti sufism vajrayana zen taoist