We live in a vibratory universe. On a physical material level all that exists can be understood as arising from an underlying field of pulsating energy; a field of quantum potential which manifests as our physical universe. On a microcosmic level it manifests as our individual body/minds. Each of us is an individual field of energy vibrating in a vast interconnected coherence of energy. We are intimately connected with everything and everybody in an ocean of vibrations. When our body minds are in a state of coherence they function optimally and when they become separated and out of sync they begin to fall apart.
In terms of Tantra Yoga each of us is a combination of two primary principles: consciousness, known as atman, and energy, known as prakriti. On a macrocosmic level these are known as Siva and Shakti; universal consciousness and energy. The universe is evolving in and through us as it becomes more and more conscious of itself. As human beings we are in the unique position of being able to willingly participate in and accelerate this process. On the other hand we can choose to become stagnant, unconscious and disconnected. From the Tantric perspective human birth is a tremendous opportunity for enlightenment. To waste it in a mere sensory and material level of awareness is extremely foolish.
Tantra does not eschew or prohibit involvement in the sensory material level but it recommends that we do so with full awareness. Full awareness means full self-awareness; consciousness of ourselves as spiritual beings. While the phenomenal universe is in a state of continuous flux the atman is ever-present, unchanging and unattached. It is the “hidden observer” within us. When we are identified with the ego we are involved with a sense of identification with something which is fundamentally unreal because it is in a state of constant change. On a deep level our psychological and physiological problems originate in a false sense of self. "The self,” states Deepak Chopra, “is the isolated ego clinging to its small reality and the Self (atman) is the unbounded spirit that can afford to not cling at all."
The essence of Tantric teachings might be boiled down into “Enjoy life but don’t forget who you really are.” Actually we can enjoy life much more when we are aware of our true Self. We can take things lightly. Rather than fighting our tendencies towards desire and anger we can simply drop them in recognition of their futility. When we are inwardly attuned to the Self we can realign, recalibrate and reboot our psychophysical beings. When we come home to the Self we can drop all fear and anxiety, all anger and aggression. We can heal on a deep level.
One powerful way of coming home is the practice of mantra recitation. Many people these days think of mantras as autosuggestions, phrases meant to influence the subconscious in a certain direction. True mantras are much more. They are sound vibrations which free the mind. They help us to relax into the vibratory ocean of being, to reconnect and to recognize our true being. Mantras are not about meaning in the sense of ordinary language. In fact they take us beyond the merely intellectual sense of meaning. They open us to our deeper being.
Mantras may be used for healing, for achieving life goals and/or liberation. They originate in the universal field of consciousness-energy and are received in deep states of meditation or sometimes in dreams. The most powerful mantras have been revealed in ancient times and their field has been reinforced throughout the centuries. The best mantras influence our evolution on multiple levels and according to our needs. They also influence the evolution of consciousness on the planet as a whole. The Mahamrityunjaya or Mahamoksha mantra is one such mantra.
Mahamrityunjaya Mantra
Mahamrityunjaya roughly translates as “great victory over death.” It is a mantric prayer that takes us beyond the world of illusion, the world of death, into the reality of our immortal essence. It is regarded as a powerful healing mantra on all levels: physical, psychological and spiritual. With consistent practice it will transform the deluded consciousness of the practitioner into the enlightened consciousness of a realized Yoga master. Like all mantras it also creates a field of healing, peaceful and enlightening energy across the planet. You can chant this mantra for your own healing and for healing others. (Remember separation is an illusion.)
We are familiar with the mantra Om, or Aum. It is the basis of all mantras and it is the beginning sound of the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra. This is a more complex mantra meant to help us on a number of levels. It may seem difficult at first. Some of the sounds are unfamiliar and may seem hard to pronounce. It is important to learn correct pronunciation. Mantra is about sound more than conveying some external meaning. The meaning is contained within the sounds and revealed through meditation. Here is the mantra in its basic form:
Om Trayambakam yajamahe
Sugandhim pushtivardhanam
Urvarukameva bandhinam
Mrityor mukshiya mamritat
Don’t fret, we’ll break the sounds down here and give a sense of the meaning. The sound is essential however. An entire dissertation could be made trying to explicate the deep layers of meaning in this mantra. However they will be revealed in your consciousness through repetition and meditation.
Om – This is the sound symbol for the Absolute, the formless essence of being. To get a better sense of Om please read the previous post .
Trayambakam (tra yum bu kum) – Tray means “three.” Sounds familiar? Our current language is based upon earlier Indo-european roots. Ambaka means “eye.” The whole phrase means “the one with three eyes.” It refers to the deep unified consciousness within us who sees past, present and future and is aware in the states of waking, dreaming and deep sleep.
Yajamahe (yah jah mah hey) – means “reverence.” It means letting go of ego attachment and importance in praise of the greater Self.
Sugandhim (suh gahnd him) – means “all pervading fragrance.” Fragrance here is both literal and symbolic. We all have experienced how a particular smell can spread and permeate the atmosphere, whether pleasant or unpleasant. The Self is all pervasive like a sweet but subtle fragrance which can be actually experienced in deep meditation.
Pushtivarhanam (push tea var da nahm) – means “that which sustains all beings.” It refers to the field of consciousness from which we all take our individual identities. It is the imminent and transcendent presence of God.
Urvarukamiva (oor va rook ah meeva) – means “powerful illness.” It refers to whatever illness we may be suffering in life but more importantly to the illness of illusion, spiritual blindness and inability to recognize our true nature.
Bandhinam (bahnd hi nahm) – means bondage, being bound, stuck, etc.
Mrityor (mrit your) – means death, ignorance, untruth.
Mukshiya (mook she ah) – means liberation from all of the above.
Mamritat (mahm rih taht) – literally means “give me the nectar of immortality.” It is asking for and opening to the infinite supply and potential of the universe.
So we might say that the mantra means: “I offer reverence to the Consciousness which is omniscient and all pervasive, and which sustains and nourishes all beings. I pray for liberation from suffering and deliverance from death into immortality.” Or something like that. Remember that it is the sound combinations that are considered essential. When this mantra is recited with an attitude of devotion it brings about physical and psychological transformation. Swami Niranjan states, “When we use a string of vibrations, as in the Mahamrityunjaya mantra, these vibrations realign the disturbances in the vibratory system. Disease and illness can be managed effectively with this mantra.”
The concept of mantra healing may seem strange for modern Westerners. Some scientists will reluctantly admit that studies indicate that prayer can be beneficial in healing and preventing illness. Mantras are much more precise than ordinary ideas of prayer. The sounds intensify the healing intention permeating our deeper levels of consciousness with their vibrations.
There are various recordings of this mantra and some can be found easily on youtube. Here is a brief recording of 11 repetitions if you would like to chant along with me : ) http://soundcloud.com/turiyaom/mahamrit This mantra is chanted 108 every Saturday in ashrams throughout the world for healing and peace. We can join in this energy by developing a weekly Saturday practice of chanting it as well.
