Hi All,

Namaskar

The basic universal mantra is a good beginner's technique.  You will recall that it uses the mantra BABA NAM KEVALAM.  When meditating remember the inner meaning, feel the flow and rhythm, and know the  ideation.  

Did you know that you can sing the universal mantra anytime and keep it going in your mind as well for upliftment.  Many artists have recorded the Baba Nam Kevalam mantra to song and music.  It is very  uplifting. If you know a few tunes you can simply use that tune and sing the mantra.  For example, the tune to  the spiritual and devotional song 'I am That I am" can be used to sing the mantra, as can the tune to the  spiritual / devotional song of 'Softness of Your Soul'.  Listen to the audio files being sent.

The audio files will help you remember the mantra, and get into the flow of singing.

Singing uplifting songs is of great benefit.  There is nothing wrong in taking and acknowledging songs from any faith and adjusting them with a greater spiritual and more universal sentiment, if required.  If you do not know any other spiritual songs this can be useful.  Just start with some simple ones.  There are two below and the audio files for thse are also being provided.

* SOFTNESS OF YOUR SOUL

We feel the softness of Your soul, 
And we will always feel its glow. 

Take our hands and lead us on with Your love,
We don’t ever want to leave Your side. 

* I AM THAT I AM

I am That I am, I am That I am.

I'm neither body nor mind.  Eternal self I am.

And every move I make is not a step of mine,
And every step I take is just this dance divine / His dance of time.

And every song I sing is through His lips so sweet,
And every flower I bring is perfect love complete.

And all the love we feel is just the love He gives,
The only life that's real is just the life He lives.

So feel Him in your heart as I feel Him in mine,
And we will never part from His sweet dance divine.

A mantra (pronounced mahn-trah) makes use of sound to harmonise the rhythm of the body (eg through  breathing in a regular pattern) and to focus the mind towards the higher Self.  A mantra works by using subtle  combination of syllables associated with spiritual propensities of the mind and psychic concentration points.   Traditionally, practitioners receive their own mantra from their teacher in the context of a formal initiation. A  mantra can be repeated as often as possible (eg you can virtually meditate on the bus) and is kept internally  as a spiritual asset for your own use. 

The universal mantra can be used any time.  Later when you get your personal mantra it is just for your own  silent meditation and practice.  It is a vital tool for anyone's all round well being.

Remember, there is no need to rush your meditation because the more important thing is concentrating/ideating on the meaning of the mantra and ensuring its repetition in order to calm the mind and avoid its wanderings through the external organs.  

Note also that sitting cross legged gives better ability to concentrate.

Dharma
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