MINDFULNESS VIDEO SERIES (19): MANTRA MEDITATION
- 3 years ago
In our last video we were discussing how the greatest benefit of Mindfulness and Mantra Meditation is to actually experience again our eternal loving nature, our spiritual nature, our pure nature. That we actually experience this deep inner, lasting happiness that it will make it possible for us to be in this world, but not be off this world. That we can actually tolerate the many problems in this world with spiritual wisdom and love. That we will not be swept away and that we can actually be a force for good in this world.
This spiritual love is eternally established in our hearts, in our very being, and it is not something that we need to gain from an external source. Rather, just like we take a shower every day to clean our body, we can take a spiritual shower every day by practicing mantra meditation. These mantras have great spiritual potency, and they will cleanse and purify our hearts and minds so that we can actually experience who we really are. We are not these external labels that we place on each other in this world. But rather we are eternal spiritual beings.
The next type of mantra meditation that we would like to share with you is called kirtan or congregational chanting. This is typically done as a group, more than one person. But if you happen to be by yourself and you like to sing or play a musical instrument by yourself, that is also perfectly fine. But usually it’s done in a group. People will use some musical instrument. There are no hard and fast rules. We can use whatever type of musical instruments we like. There is one person who will typically be leading this kirtan, singing the mantras. At that time we just listen. And then when it comes to our turn, we respond while the person who is leading the kirtan is listening. This is not a type of musical performance. We don’t have to worry about what we sound like. Rather it is a spiritual discovery, an uncovering of who we really are. We don’t have to change and become somebody else. But rather we get to actually experience who we really are. I am not any of these temporary labels that are on this body, and that will stay with the body, when I, the spiritual being, leave this body at the time of death.
It is very important that we always have this wisdom in the forefront of our minds and hearts so that we can act with kindness and be a force for good. This kirtan is not a sectarian practice. Anybody can benefit from it. You actually don’t have to believe in it. You don’t have to join a group. Spiritual practice is an individual practice. It is our relationship with the Supreme. And so, we hope that you will find this beneficial as well.
This spiritual love is eternally established in our hearts, in our very being, and it is not something that we need to gain from an external source. Rather, just like we take a shower every day to clean our body, we can take a spiritual shower every day by practicing mantra meditation. These mantras have great spiritual potency, and they will cleanse and purify our hearts and minds so that we can actually experience who we really are. We are not these external labels that we place on each other in this world. But rather we are eternal spiritual beings.
The next type of mantra meditation that we would like to share with you is called kirtan or congregational chanting. This is typically done as a group, more than one person. But if you happen to be by yourself and you like to sing or play a musical instrument by yourself, that is also perfectly fine. But usually it’s done in a group. People will use some musical instrument. There are no hard and fast rules. We can use whatever type of musical instruments we like. There is one person who will typically be leading this kirtan, singing the mantras. At that time we just listen. And then when it comes to our turn, we respond while the person who is leading the kirtan is listening. This is not a type of musical performance. We don’t have to worry about what we sound like. Rather it is a spiritual discovery, an uncovering of who we really are. We don’t have to change and become somebody else. But rather we get to actually experience who we really are. I am not any of these temporary labels that are on this body, and that will stay with the body, when I, the spiritual being, leave this body at the time of death.
It is very important that we always have this wisdom in the forefront of our minds and hearts so that we can act with kindness and be a force for good. This kirtan is not a sectarian practice. Anybody can benefit from it. You actually don’t have to believe in it. You don’t have to join a group. Spiritual practice is an individual practice. It is our relationship with the Supreme. And so, we hope that you will find this beneficial as well.