Mantra Practice

Guiding us into a calm mind and concentrated mind, mantras work by substituting beneficial or even sacred words for the tangle of thoughts. Holding attention on the mantra can prevent the mind from ruminating over the past, or spinning about possible futures. We explore two examples of mantra in this guided meditation. Please enjoy this ancient practice.

This is part of a series by Jan Chozen Bays MD, a longtime Zen teacher, and pediatrician.

Transcript

Mantra practice.

Mantra means mind guard.

Mantras work by substituting beneficial,

Even sacred words,

For the tangle of thought in a stressed and anxious mind.

If you hold your attention on the mantra,

It prevents the mind from ruminating over the past or spinning about possible futures.

You can vary the speed of the chanting until you find the pace that works best to slow and calm the mind.

If your mind is anxious,

You can try speeding up the recitation,

Then slowing it down as your mind settles.

Eventually you can breathe the mantra on the out-breath and rest in quiet mind during the in-breath.

The mantra calls forth certain beneficial energies,

Both in the world and within your own being.

Here are two mantras you might try.

You can say them out loud or silently,

Depending upon the situation.

The first is a mantra invoking Kuan Yin,

Who hears the cries of all of those who suffer in this world and responds with compassion.

Kuan Yin is also called Avalokiteshvara or Chinraisi.

This is the mantra which may be familiar to you.

Om mani padme om.

Om mani padme om.

Om mani padme om.

Om mani padme om.

The second is a mantra invoking Jizo Bodhisattva,

The guardian of those who are vulnerable or need extra help as they negotiate their particular life path.

The qualities of Jizo are great benevolence,

Great determination,

Great optimism,

Fearlessness,

And a clear life vow or life purpose.

This is particularly appropriate for healthcare professionals,

As Jizo in Japan is the guardian of firemen who enter hellish realms with great life purpose.

It applies to our healthcare workers who are entering difficult situations on a daily basis,

Knowing that they have a duty to help save lives.

This is the mantra.

Om ka ka kabi san ma e sowaka.

Om ka ka kabi san ma e sowaka.

Om ka ka kabi san mo e sowaka.

We also have a melody for this mantra.

It goes like this.

Copenhagen S Galaxy Ka,

Ka,

Kabi san ma e,

Soa ka,

Om ka ka,

Kabi san ma e,

Soa ka,

Om ka ka,

Kabi san ma e,

Soa ka.

Eventually you can breathe one syllable of the mantra on each out breath.

Om.

Ka,

Ka,

And so on.