Mantras are Magic

Mantras are truly bits of magic.  Mantras are used in Kundalini Yoga during meditations and kriya practices. These mantras are based on ancient sciences that use sound and the body to alter the mind, body, and spirit. According to the Kundalini philosophy, we use mantras to vibrate the Cosmos so the Cosmos can clear the way. The science of Naad Yoga is very precise and is related to the surrendering of one’s self to the Shabd Guru. More than anything, mantras are meant to be experienced and embodied fully, from the inside out, to really understand their potent power.

First and foremost, mantras are sound vibrations. These are chants recorded from sages that entered a state of transcendance to obtain this knowledge. When we chant mantra, we call upon this experience and knowledge. By doing this, we are able to allow the mantra to teach us the lesson that lies inside of it. This is the idea of the Shabd Guru – or sound as a teacher, allowing the sound to cut through the ego. The Shabd Guru is a quantum technology that directly alters our consciousness through the power of the Naad. 

The power of the Naad is the power of the sound current itself. Naad is the essence of all sound. In Naad Yoga, the primal sounds of the mantras and the movements of the lip and tongue act on specific areas of the roof of the mouth. These areas on the upper palate relate to energetic meridian lines, when these areas are triggered by the tongue they activate the hypothalamus gland. The hypothalamus is responsible for releasing hormones; meaning, when we chant we activate the part of the brain that is responsible for altering brain chemistry and the mantra tells the brain the recipe for the new chemistry. 

Two types of mantras commonly used in Kundalini Yoga classes are bij mantras and ashtang mantras. Bij Mantras are seed mantras; these mantras are generally short, and are aimed at planting the meaning of that mantra into the soul like a seed is sown in dirt. On the opposite end of the spectrum, ashtang mantras are longer mantras and consist of eight parts or beats. Each kind of mantra has a beauty, a place, and a reason. Below are some mantras, their translations, and their purpose. These mantras are some of the most frequently experienced mantras.

• Sat Naam
  • Sat Nam is a bij mantra and is the seed of Kundalini Yoga itself. Sat Naam translates to “truth is my identity.” Sat means “truth,” and Naam means “my identity.” This mantra is used to plant this idea of “I am truth, I am enough, I am Divine,” deep into the soul. This mantra is calming and empowering. There are kriyas dedicated to just this mantra, and this mantra can be used in every breath of everyday. Allow the sound of the inhale to mentally chant “Sat”, and “Naam” on the exhale. This mantra is said to awaken the soul and give you your destiny. This mantra also brings the five elements of the body into balance. 

• Ong So Hung
  • Another bij mantra, Ong So Hung is chanted to open the Heart Center of the body and to feel connection to the Divine. Ong means “Divine,” or “Creative Consciousness,” or “God.” So Hung translates to “I am Thou” or “You and I are One.” When we chant Ong So Hung, we are calling to the sense of the Divine, expanding ourselves into that level of consciousness and naming that we are a part of this. Claiming our birthright to be part of this grace, ease, and love. That this Great Universe around us is also right within us.

• Ek Ong Kar Sat Naam Siri Wahe Guru
  • An ashtang mantra, this mantra is a mantra of power and bliss. This mantra has eight parts that work on the body’s chakra and aura systems. Ek Ong Kar means “Creator and Creation are one,” Sat Naam “this truth is my identity,” Siri Wahe Guru “the ecstasy of this wisdom is beyond words.” When chanted from the navel and heart, this mantra is said to be able to suspend the mind in a state of bliss, awaken the Kundalini Energy, and create a relationship between you and the divine. This mantra is also known as the Adi Shakti Mantra, or the mantra of first power. From an understanding of this mantra, all is understood. 

• Ra Ma Da Sa, Sa Se So Hung
  • This is known to be one of the most healing mantras in Kundalini Yoga. The eight parts of the Siri Gaitri mantra correspond to different aspects of energy in our experience. This mantra calls to balance out the difference between yin and yang energies. The translation of this mantra is 
    • Ra – Sun
    • Ma – Moon
    • Da – Earth
    • Sa – Infinite
    • Sa Say – Totality of the Infinite
    • So Hung – I am Thou
• So what this mantra does, is calls to mind the fact that we and the Universe exist as one. And by calling on these forces, we are able to balance the energy systems of the body to make room for health and vitality.