Power of Mantra
By Dinesh Muni
Mahaveer, who was the twenty fourth Tirthankar and a contemporary of Lord Buddha, once gave an allegorical description of human being, "This body is a boat, the soul in it a sailor and the world is like a ocean to be crossed by sages, seers and enlightened beings.
We must first and foremost consider the aim purpose of our lives : namely to know the nature of the soul which exist encased in our physical bodies composed of matter. Without this basic understanding, we cannot apply a means of attaining higher consciousness ; what Jainism refers to as Kevalgyan (omniscience). By nature the soul has infinite knowledge, infinite energy and infinite bliss, but too often remain trapped by karmic matter, which prevent our divine attributes from manifesting fully. I would like to illustrate this point with an example of disease, when an individual get sick, there is some form blockage in the body adversely affecting his health. His inner nature is still healthy, but he must go to a doctor to have the ailment diagnosed and the proper medication prescribed. Similarly our soul remain divine while hidden behind the layers of our karmas which block our path to self realization. Do you know how this is collected? Karma is in the form of matter, which is inert and has no consciousness It does not do anything by itself. But the soul activities the matter and the interaction between the two produces karmic manifestations. In Jain terms, we call the karmic matter Pudgala, the smallest and individual particles known as ions, electrons, protons. These particles have inherit quality of forming different combinations and compounds. An infinite number of substances are formed from their continuous movement, and the soul remains in a constant dance of life as the pudgala creates an energetic body surrounding the soul. We usually see only our physical selves, but other bodies are perceptible through deep concentration and the creation of divine sound. We have the choice to concentrate on worldly attachment and ill feeling which leave the soul in the state of ignorance called Maya, but we also have the power to liberate ourselves. Every living being possess natural ability to realize itself attain a supreme state of higher consciousness. There have always been contradictions in the philosophies, which is why it is essential to study various school of reasoning, learning, philosophy, religion and faith to discern the absolute truth from the prevalent ideas, views and belief of the world. In ancient India, many religion creeds and faith existed, but they generally contributed to the discernment of truth. If differences existed, they manifested as verbal discussion only and varying religious groups did not feel animosity towards one another. They manage to live in peace crusades were non existent. And if an individual choose to alter their belief, their free will to do so was encouraged. People studied different philosophies and selected one which was most suitable to their needs. This practiced nurtured and increased the mental faculty of men, whereas today we too often find religious institutions that inhibit the search for truth and knowledge from all of the world's great traditions.
In any case the soul is changing every instant. if it was not, all the efforts to realize our selves is useless. We want to eliminate the karmic matter surrounding the soul, thereby achieving the salvation trough concentration, meditation and the creation of positive vibrations. Such vibration can be created by Mantras. Mantras means divine sounds, and they possess tremendous force. Mantra is also a collection of divine sound to be articulated, a veritable storehouse, of psychic energy within ourselves. There are fifty letters in the Sanskrit Language from which the mantras are combined. Known as "Shabd Brahma", they are each indistinguishable and imperceptible as object in the dark. Yet when an impulse inspires their articulation glimmer of light shines fourth radiantly. Energy is expressed as light and sound, forming vibration that passes a variety of mediums as they articulates themselves. Beginning as Kundalini in our Muladhar center, the vibration is called Paratranscendent. It then enter the arteries and begin to resonate through them, at which stage they are beyond hearing. It only become audible as the vibration reaches the throat. This is the stage called Madhyama (middling) as the vibration is finally pronounced and articulate as actual sound. And know you have learned of our knowledge of letters refers to as Matrika Vidhya in yoga.
-----------------------------------------------------
Source : Crusader for Peace and Non-Violance
-----------------------------------------------------
Mail to : Ahimsa Foundation
www.jainsamaj.org
R9111