Mantras In Religion

Religions explore a variety of methods that may bring insiders closer to the sacred. Whether it is an action, or the recitation of words, there are deliberate ways that help to bring the sacred and profane worlds together. In Hinduism, that would be a mantra. Mantras are defined as “a sacred utterance, incantation, or invocation repeated aloud or in meditation in order to bring about a prescribed effect, such as the calming of the mind or a vision of a deity (“Mantra”).” Mantras are carefully formulated in order to create these visions and the state of consciousness an insider resides in. Mantras can vary in different aspects, being one single word or phrase, or being recited by one or more Brahmins. The particular mantra that was interpreted

There is something deeper going on in these mantras that lead the Brahmins to a hierophany. Swami Satchidananda states that “G-d vibrates on a particular wavelength…So, to receive the Lord’s message, his blessings, his light, and his love, we can be helped by technical means to tune our heart radio to that wavelength (Satchidananda).”Mantras and OM cause the insider to be “in tune” with the G-d. Continuing with the analogy of the radio, to be in tune one must be set at the correct “station.” The insider must create the “station” that will allow them to be in tune with the sacred. They must have the correct thoughts, and mindset, which is also created through mantras. Therefore, we ultimately question what state of consciousness is a Hindu in when chanting? The state must be specific enough for Hinduism that it is able to bring them closer to the sacred. Patton E. Burchett claims that “from the Hindu perspective, the mantra—when used properly—enables one to come into touch with the power of divinity…” Therefore, the Hindus believe that when the proper mindset is created through the recitations, you can become in touch with this divinity. This puts an insider into certain states of consciousness that must be established in order to achieve a transcendental goal. In his XVI and XVII lectures on Mysticism, William James proposed four characteristics that a phenomenon should have in order

He describes the energy centers (chakras) that must be unified in order to bring the insider closer to the sacred. This can be done through recitation of mantras and OM. The belief is that through this chanting Hindus are unified in a deep state of consciousness that allows them to be in touch with the divine entity. Prattis explores AUM and the levels of consciousness each separate syllable brings an insider into. “A, U, M, correspond to different states of consciousness: Waking, Dream, Deep Sleep.” Mantra links the mind, body, heart, soul, and conscious through the alignment of your chakras. It takes you from a state of self-consciousness—being aware of only yourself and details of your life—to a state of what Prattis describes as “deep-inner consciousness.” This state of consciousness brings you to be aware of things. This form of consciousness unifies the insider with the sacred. This answers our question referring to the state of consciousness a Hindu is in when chanting. We find them going through a series of states from self-consciousness to deep-inner consciousness. Prattis spent two years in India learning and teaching meditation. He describes his experience as “the queries…so imperative at previous levels of consciousness, became redundant at other levels of consciousness. It was obvious to me that I was moving