What is a mantra?

Mantras are syllables, words or short sentences which have besides their
literal meaning a special inherent power. Mantras have effects of sound and
resonance as well as metaphysic or mystic meaning. In every culture and language
since ancient times such words of magic existed. The word "mantra" is derived
from sanscrit language and consists of the roots "manas" and "tra". "Manas" is
the totality of thoughts and emotions with all their desires and fears. "Tra"
means saving, holding or protecting. Mantras are words which excecute a
collecting effect on the mind. They work in a way as a key. With their help we
can make certain energies and resonancefields of body and soul accessible.

How come you started singing
mantras?

From my childhood on in India the use of mantras was wellknown to me. To
sing mantras already my father taught me as a little girl. For instance he used
to recite mantra prayers during cooking. I was sitting near by and was listening
with devotion. I felt very attracted by this and was calmed and transferred into
another world. In this way I started already at that time singing one or another
sanscrit mantra and felt happy with it. Until the development of my todays songs
of mantras many years have passed. To tell it straight forward, I love to sing
songs with spiritual background. The singing for the veneration of God is
delighting and it stands on the first place. In so far it is artistic expression
of a devotional feeling. All other aspects like scientific explanations,
different ways and models of explaining the effects of mantras etc. follow
afterwards. For me it was important to come in daily life for a certain time to
peace and selfreflection. In this context I remembered the mantras and have sung
some spontaneously. In the following time I dealt with my experiences in singing
and hearing mantras in greater detail. In doing so I developped a certain style
of singing by which the atmosphere and vibration of the respective mantras was
transferred. In the time when I suffered from a long and heavy desease, I came
to know about the healing and strengthening power of mantras. Since then
mantra-singing belongs to my daily life.

Where is the origin of mantras?

Most of the tradition of mantras is in sanscrit language. Sanscrit is one
of the oldest languages of the world. The scripts of the vedic time report that
rishis the wise men of that time captured and received the mantric wisdom by
intuition. Also today these experiences can be brought back by proper
application of mantras. Wellknown are also the mantras which consist in single
or compounded letters, the so called "bija-mantras" or germ-mantras. The letters
which form such mantras are called "bija aksaras". In hindu religion each deity
is represented by a "bija aksara" which in human language is the most near
equivalent form to the "nada", the sound vibration which arises at the moment of
manifestation of the deity. These "aksaras" or mantras are all used as words of
invocation of this deity. The most wellknown of these germ mantras is "pranava",
"Om" for Brahman. In Yoga the teachings of the chakras - the energy centres -
contains also the teaching of the germ mantras belonging to each chakra. There
are directions of yoga which have registered and discribed systematically
meaning and applications of mantras.



Already in the spripture of Bhagavat Gita the use of mantra is mentioned. Sri
Krishna says in the Bhagavat Gita (10-25):



Among all rishis I am Bhrigu

Among all word I am the syllable Om

Among of all forms of prayers I am the repetition of mantras

Among all mountains I am the Himalaya

In which way mantras do effect
us?

Mantras have wonderful effects, if they are repeated in a proper way. The
holy scriptures of India are full of stories about persons who have reached
superhuman and supernatural powers by chanting mantras. The Vedas, especially
the Rig-Veda contains thousands of mantras. These mantras are considered highly
effective although their meaning is not known. Actually the literal meaning has
little to do with the power which mantras give. Our mind, our actions and things
of our surrounding can be purified by mantras and charged with spiritual energy.
The special vibrations of holy places and centres of pilgrimages arouse from the
fact that someone at sometimes has chanted holy mantras at these places. After
that these places exercised great spiritual attraction for many years. The
vibrations which are set to work by singing mantras make our subtle sensations
receptive for spiritual knowledge. Brahman, the highest and unperishable being
is not only described as light but also as sound. The sound which is emitted by
every being and moves into the atmosphere creates uncounted waves in the ocean
of sound. This total atmosphere of sound effects cosmic interactions. Mantras
have effects on this atmosphere of sounds.

Which role plays the sound and
the breath with mantras?

Each letter, each word and each syllable has beside their meaning in the
general use of language in addition a soundinformation which is a sprecial
pattern of sound. Carrier of this sound pattern is on one hand our body which
consists of different chemical element and on the other hand it consist of the
air stream which is directed by the breath. Diaphragm, larynx, mouth, lips,
tongue and the differently directed air stream are involved in the articulation
of sound. Every sound pattern is based on a certain pattern of breath and
direction of the air stream. The breath is charged with life energy. In the
language of Yoga it is called power of Prana. Great significance was drawn to
the Prana-Yama, the equalization and inherent regulation of breath. Because of
this reason mantras have a breath activating and regulating effect. On a
different level each pattern of breath is based on an energy pattern. Breathing
and articulation of voice creates subtle frictions by the air stream which
vibrates the body cells and the tissues. This further leads to chemical and
electrophysical reactions on for instance the brain waves, microelectric current
of skin and muscular tone. Thus the application of mantras is a sublte energetic
work.

In which way mantras should be
applied?

The body should rest relaxed and the mind should concentrate on the
content of the mantra. Chanting mantras can unfold a strong effect. The song of
mantra with its subtle, recurring melody helps to reach vegetative equalization,
mental and somatic relaxation. The application of mantras however varies
individually. Some who like to meditate in perfect silence and are able to
concentrate accordingly, they will use mantras by silent mental repetition.
Others who enjoy the voice and like to work with voice and sound will prefer the
own singing or to sing along with someone, a cassette or CD. Again others can
concentrate and meditate best by listening to a mantra. Normally it will take a
certain time until the mind has adapted adequately and the mantra can unfold its
effects. It is recommended to apply mantras or mantra songs in undisturbed and
devotional attitude so that the effects of mantras may be preserved.

Which significance has the
repetition in th application of mantras?

Throug repitition the travelling mind is tight up to the mantra. Through
the repetition of a mantra the mind gets a simple and effective task. By this a
spontane meditative effect is reached. From the repetition results a perfect
awareness of the mantra in consciousness. By concentrating the consciousness the
inner microcosm is connected to the outer macrocosm. A subtle flow of energy is
generated. The process of becoming perfectly aware of the contents of the mantra
is very import by the use of mantras. It signifies to bring a state of
consciousness into the presence, to build a bridge over time and space into the
here and now. Becoming aware means to be aware of the perfect presence and unite
the past and the future in the present experience of being. Accordingly the
meanings of mantras like Tat tvamasi - this is You - or So Hang - this I am -
are based on such direct experience of being in meditation.

Which significance has the
language of mantras?

One should not try to translate mantras in another language because this
would change their original charakter. The effects of sound and vibration are
not generated in the same way. sanscrit is a special language for mantras.
Besides many european languages have their roots in the sanscrit language so
that this is not a completely foreign language. Old prayers in their original
form of language had quite another mantric effect of sound and resonance. In
former times for instance the prayer "our father in heaven" from the christian
tradition in the greece form was sung. The "Gatas" too, the holy sayings of
Zoroaster, were sung. The effects of sanscrit mantras are object of todays
scientific research. By experiments and selfexperiments it was observed that
people experienced a deep inner peace and selfintegration. The affinity to a
certain cultural or language group here in was of minor significance.

Is the use of mantras a special
form of meditation?

To my opinion meditation should be an act of devotion to the devine. All
the forms of meditation that fulfill this are to be recommended. Spiritual
matters are not mere subjects of intellect or practical abilities, not to be
possessed etc. Genuine spiritual experience crosses the borders of the own
personality. One cannot bring forward a state of meditation allone by will and
selfcontrol. The meditative state can only happen by itself. Silent meditation
does not available at once and is quite difficult to achieve in times when
everybody is engaged in the working process. The mantra song accompanies the
spirit. By this it is a little bit easier to concentrate and meditate on the
contents. According to my experience mantras are - described by a picture -like
a boat which you may enter to row into the sea of your soul. By this it is a
little bit easier.

How one can use mantras for
healing?

There is quite a considerable potential of healing powers within man
which could be used for prevention or support of treatments of deseases. Many
people would like to use their inner powers more consciously and targeting.
Mantras hereby are quite helpful. The introduced meditative deep relaxation of
body, mind and soul hereby plays an important role. Mantras have different
levels of healing effects. On the body level the vibrations of mantras work as a
subtle massage. On the emotional level positive healing feelings are produced.
Silence, equimindedness, joy, love and reconciliation are experienced inside
which you may call healing of the heart. Subconscious emotional blockades are
dissolved. We gain access to our inner psychic world again. Another dimension of
healing effect lies on the level of transpersonal and transcendental experiences
which are beyond discription.

Does the mantra song effects the
quality of sleep?

One sentence of the old indian scripture "Upanischad" runs as follows:
"In sleep man is near to himself, the Atma". Sleep itself is a mystery and left
many questions to the scientific research open. To remove sleep disturbances by
natural means is an important matter. Already in ancient times sleep was applied
for healing purposes and called as healing sleep. Healing sleep was initiated by
the recitation of words and music. The initiation of sleep by mantra songs
fulfills a similar purpose using the soothing effect of the repetition for
carrying over to sleep. Mantras then continue to effect us unconsciously by
their pleasing vibrations for a while.

What the is the musical concept
of the mantra songs?

These mantra songs are in a way contemporal sacral music which is based
on meditative experience inspired by mantras. Important in this process is the
development of the voice guided by the mantra from a undifferenciated stream of
sound. The immature sound is a cosmic sound equivalent of endless unformed
energy and by this is the source of all shaping processes in creation. The
stream of music as symbol of the primal sound in traditional indian music is
allways present in the background by the sounds of the strings of the Tanpura
which accompanies solo melody intruments or singing. The characteristic voice of
the tanpura creates a pulsing cosmic sound energy in which the listener means to
hear endles melodies and rhythms. They are already there but still unmanifested
and they are so to say felt as potential music. Based on the fundamental tone
rises the song of mantra which consists in secret syllables of sanscrit. The
chant of mantra lives by the msytic union with the fundamental tone which is
experience as precreative primal force. Singing mantras is living practise in
which the mystic of music tries to leave the surface of nature and dive into the
depth of sound and further to the spiritual origin of the self. Mantra are sung
with breads of silence in between. In these breaks the resonance on the human
mind and heart is attentively felt inside.

Can You explain one mantra to us,
for example one which You have received yourself?

I will explain the mantra "Shisha Prashanam". In complete original terms
the mantra goes: "Shisha Prashanam, Chit Anandam, Sukh Prad Vachanam, Smirti
Maya Monam, Dehi Me Jagdeesham, Dehi Me Jagdeesham". This mantra contributes
to being aware of human goals, it removes inhibitions, sorrows and entanglements
by consciously bringing happiness to the heart (shisha prashanam is happiness of
mind). This creates healing words respectively words leading to happiness (sukh
prad vachanam). Because words from a joyful heart have healing effects. Likewise
this mantra was created from a joyful heart. The silent rememberance in God
comes next (smirti maya monam). Happiness of mind also means to be free from the
burdon of sorrows. This is possible by setting free and not to be too much
entangled in wordly affairs. Simultaneously a confidance in the eternal being is
created. It is a fundamental inner detachement. Words coming from the heart have
healing power and they lead to higher knowledge. This effects a silence in real
sense. In daily life, when one is allone and in seeming silence one still is
occupied with different thoughts. This is not really being silent because the
there is no inner silence in mind. Here also is meant the silence (Monam) in
rememberance of God. The mantra prayer helps to set one free from the
entanglements of the world of thougt. Dehi me Jagedishan asks God that this
should happen. It confirms the will for spiritual development and to become
aware of the spiritual goal.

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