Meditation means ‘a cessation of the thought process’. It describes a state of consciousness, when the mind is free of scattered thoughts and various patterns. The observer (one who is doing meditation) realizes that all the activity of the mind is reduced to one.

Therefore, meditation means awareness and whatever one does with awareness is meditation as long as these activities are free from any other distraction to the mind.

Meditation is not a technique but a way of life.  Mantra meditation is one of the several basic meditation types. Mantra is a word, phrase, or sequence of words that are silently repeated, sung, or chanted during a meditation session. Chanting mantras have multiple benefits. Repeating mantras is very much like praying, except mantras are usually much shorter than prayers.

Though keeping an empty mind while repeating some definite words is indeed a difficult task but what mantra meditation actually tries to do, in a way, is to cheat the mind. It uses the natural ability of the mind to focus on certain words and by repeating those words over and over again, one can, eventually, reduce the inner clutter of distracting thoughts.

This type of meditation works well and helps one to calm his mind. It helps to empty some content from the mind, i.e, a percentage of the various thoughts usually present there. However, if one seeks enlightenment, or more comprehensive breakthroughs in his spiritual development, mantra meditation is probably not as effective as the other forms of meditation.

This technique can virtually be practiced by everyone at any point of time. It is very simple and works wonderfully. The benefits are as follows :

• One becomes more relaxed as he concentrates and grounds his energies.
• It makes one free from some of the nagging thoughts and harsh emotions.

Methods of Practicing Mantra Meditation

Below mentioned are some points one should keep in mind so that his mantra meditation can be really successful.

Wise selection of the mantra : If one has a meditation instructor, spiritual teacher, or a guru, it is only natural that one should receive his mantra from him or her. That’s the wisest choice because some gurus give their disciples personalized mantras which are really helpful and mind liberating.

In reality, even if one chooses a word or a phrase without any meaning whatsoever, this type of meditation technique should work because of the nature of this practice.  However, as one can choose, it is much better to choose a powerful combination of words

Selection of a suitable time : The best time for anyone to practice meditation is just after getting up in the morning. But one can also choose any time that works for him. It is also said that one can practice his mantra meditation whenever he feels stressed, exhausted, or worn-out. But, one shouldn’t forget to practice meditation also when he is in the best of shape because, after all, meditation is contacting one’s true nature.

Selection of a suitable place : One can practice mantra meditation anywhere but, practicing in a quiet and secluded place is strongly recommended. After one has gained some experience as a meditator, he can extend his meditation routine to other locations, for example, outdoors in a park.

Before starting mantra meditation, one may choose whether he wants to close his eyes or not. Meditation can be done perfectly fine with eyes opened. In most of the cases, though, one finds it much easier to meditate with his eyes closed.

He should follow his breath for a couple of minutes without trying to change the pace of his inhaling and exhaling. One needs to become aware of the natural rise and fall of his chest to induce a state of relaxation, which is a good basis for getting started with one’s mantra meditation. After this, he can simply begin by repeating silently the selected mantra in his mind.

Mantras for Meditation

1. “Om” – The mantra of universal consciousness, the most famous and most sacred mantra in the Hindu and Buddhist tradition. Om doesn’t seem to have a specific meaning, yet it is believed to be related to the primeval, original sound of the universe and to the infinite spirit.

2. “Om Namah Shivaya” – It means “I send my adorations to Shiva”. This mantra is thought to bring peace in the heart of the meditator and joy to their soul.

3. “Om Shanti Shanti Shanti” – Used in the Hindu and Buddhist traditions alike, this mantra refers to the peace of mind, body, and speech. Shanti is a Pali (one of the many Indian languages) word for “peace”. By repeating it 3 times, it simply means ‘peace to the entire human constitution, to the body, speech and mind.’

4. “Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare” – This 16-word mantra is also called Maha Mantra. It is Hindu in origin and is mentioned in one of the Upanishad.

By chanting the three names of the Lord, that is, Hare, Krishna, and Rama, we are invoking the Lord and His inner blissful energy.

5. “Om Mani Padme Hum” – This mantra is of Buddhist origin and means ‘The jewel is in the lotus’, the lotus being one’s spiritual heart.

6. “Om Tare Tuttare Ture Soha” – This ancient mantra comes from the Tibetan Buddhism. It is related to Green Tara, “the Mother of all Buddhas”. It helps with personal problems and ti deal with real world problems as well.

This mantra is aimed to liberate one and also all sentiment beings from all mental and emotional delusions, and help achieve enlightenment.

7. The Gayatri Mantra

“Aum bhur bhuvah svah 
tat-savitur varenyam
bhargo devasya dhimahi
dhiyo yo nah pracodayat”

One of the best known of all Hindu mantras, the Gayatri Mantra is said to have the power to purify, illuminate, strengthen and heal one’s soul.

8. Shiva Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra : This great mantra dedicated to Shiva as Mrityunjaya is found in the Rig Veda.

“Tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭi-vardhanamurvārukam
iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya māmṛtāt.”

By chanting this mantra, we Meditate on the three-eyed reality, the Lord Shiva who permeates and nourishes us all like a fragrance and liberates us from death for the sake of immortality.

9. Ganesh Mantra : “Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha”

This mantra is for the removal of obstacles meditating upon this mantra brings success and wisdom to one.

10. Lakshmi Beej Mantra : “Om Hreem Sri Lakshmi Bhyo Namaha”

The Goddess Laxmi is an embodiment of wealth and prosperity, and is considered the source of material wealth. Meditating upon this mantra helps Goddess Laxmi to reside in the one chanting this and bestows him abundance on all aspects of his existence.

11. Durga Mantra : “Om Dum Durgayei Namaha”

The Goddess Durga is said to have the combined powers of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kali. This mantra can be used for protection against all manners of negative influences.

12. Hanuman mantra : “Om Shri Hanumate namaha”

Reverence to Hanuman, invokes unbounded love, gives strength, success in devotional activities, and reveals the power of the soul that can triumph over adversities for attaining highest realizations.

13. Moola Mantra :

“Om Sat Chit Ananda Parabrahma
Purashothama Paramatma
Sri Bhagavathi Sametha
Sri Bhagavathe Namaha”

The Moola mantra calls on the Divine and brings grace into one’s life, regardless of faith, beliefs, culture, or tradition. One can also chant the Moolamantra with a specific prayer in his heart when he is meditating.

14. Saraswati Mantra : “Om Shreem Hreem Saraswati Namaha”

Meditating upon this mantra helps one to gain the blessings of Goddess Saraswati, material prosperity the virtues for becoming a leader and fulfilling his desires.

15. “Om Tat Sat” –  This one is a Hindu mantra from the Bhagavad Gita. The three words denote the absolute truth. Om refers to ”the Infinite Spirit”, tat to “all that is” and sat to the “truth”.

16. “Gate Gate Para Gate Parasamgate Bodhi Svaha!” – This mantra is found at the end of the famous “Heart Sutra” (or Prajna Paramita). ”Gate” in this mantra is pronounced as “gah-tay”.

One of the translations of this mantra could be: “Going, going, going on beyond, always going on beyond, always becoming Buddha.” It is a beautiful thought that expresses that becoming Buddha is a process. It suggests that we are on a journey of becoming enlightened as Buddha, a journey without end. If one decides to try this mantra, one should study it a bit more to get its deeper meanings.