Les 1
The Power Of Mantras: History, Styles, Benefits, Usage
Mantras, ancient tools for mental focus and spiritual growth, have been used across various cultures for thousands of years. We touch on a brief history of mantra, some different styles of mantra, the benefits that might arise from practice, and the significance of 108 repetitions or variations of this that add up to 9.
Les 2
Sacred Sanskrit Sounds: Key Mouth Positions, Why It Matters
The sacred sounds correlate to energy points within us, so when we chant with precision we are vibrating ourselves from the inside out. This module provides an overview of how mantras can be written using a special coded language that tells us about how to produce each sound, such as whether it is using breath or not, and the duration of the sound. Once you start to get a sense of this, you'll be more empowered to decode and chant any properly transliterated mantra.
Les 3
Cosmic Divine Mother: Oṁ Namo Nārāyaṇi
This mantra is calling on the energy of the Divine Mother. It combines aspects of strength and courage, all auspiciousness, and wisdom. You might also see this expressed as Durgā, Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī.
Translation:
Oṁ = The primordial sound of creation
Namo = A reverential term, to honour or pay homage to
Nārāyaṇi = Divine feminine energy, the triple aspects of Durgā, Lakṣmī and Sarasvatī.
Les 4
Salutations To The Auspicious One: Oṁ Namaḥ Śivāya
Reverent salutations to the consciousness that resides within, the peace of our true infinite nature. Elevate your consciousness, infuse positive energy, and let go of states of being that no longer serve you. Like climbing a ladder, we release where we are on a given level and the energies that no longer serve us, so we might move into higher states of awareness. Try and have the spine upright as you engage in this chant.
Translation:
Oṁ = The primordial sound of creation
Namaḥ = A reverential term, to 'bow to'
Śivāya = The inner Self, consciousness, bliss beyond form
Les 5
Divine Feminine Protector: Auṁ Duṁ Durgāyai Namaḥ
Invoking the qualities of the Divine feminine as the fierce protective mother, the embodiment of strength, courage, and compassion. It can support us in the cultivation of inner strength and resilience in times of adversity and the overcoming of negative energies.
Translation:
Auṁ = The primordial sound of creation, extended version of Oṁ, representing forces of creation, maintenance and destruction.
Duṁ = Seed sound of the energy of Durgā
Durgāyai = The name of the Divine feminine quality of strength, courage, protection, referred to as Durgā
Namaḥ = Reverence, honour, 'I bow to'.
Les 6
Power Of Wisdom, Creativity, Speech, Learning: Auṁ Aiṁ Sarasvatyai Namaḥ
Reverent salutations to the creative feminine force that is the power to learn, of wisdom, creativity, poetry and music, the bestower of these gifts. Sarasvatī is also identified with Vāk, the power of speech - of which there are 4 different phases, from where sounds progress before it becomes audible.
Translation:
Auṁ = The primordial sound of creation, extended version of Oṁ, representing forces of creation, maintenance and destruction.
Aiṁ = Seed sound of the energy of Sarasvatī
Sarasvatyai = The name of the Divine feminine quality of wisdom, creativity, intelligence, the power to learn referred to as Sarasvatī
Namaḥ = Reverence, honour, 'I bow to' a higher Divine power.
Les 7
Balancing The Elements: Pañca-bhūta Bīja Mantra
This powerful chant helps to balance the elemental energies within our being. Included in this module is a guided meditation practice of directing the seed (bīja) sounds into the appropriate chakra.
These sounds invoke energies, so this is the closest approximation of a translation:
Naṁ Laṁ - Base, Earth
Maṁ Vaṁ - Sacral, Water
Siṁ Raṁ - Solar Plexus (stomach region) - Fire
Vaṁ Yaṁ - Heart/lungs - Air
Yaṁ Haṁ - Throat - Space
Śiva Oṁ - Eyebrows - Consciousness
Namaḥ Svāha - Crown - honoring the Divine connection, surrendering into the Divine fire of inner transformation.
Les 8
Grounding, New Beginnings, Clearing Energy: Oṁ Gaṁ Gaṇapataye Namaḥ
Invoking the energies of grounding, stability, unity, the clearer of obstacles, the Lord of Rhythm, and moving from duality into unity. This chant can be focussed on the root or base chakra to help support and strengthen our foundations.
Translation:
Oṁ = The primordial sound of creation
Gaṁ = Seed sound of the energy of Gaṇeśa
Gaṇapataye = name of Divine energy, Gaṇeśa
Namaḥ = Reverent saluations.
Salutations to Gaṇeśa, remover of obstacles.