Maybe, you are already using mantras for your meditation practice and are familiar with some of them. Maybe mantras are new for you. In any case, we would like to invite you in todays’ newsletter, to learn some interesting facts about this important part of Yoga.

What are mantras and why are we using them? “Man” means soul and “tra” means Samadhi. Therefore, mantra is something, that takes us to Samadhi – the stage of oneness. As we explained in our earlier newsletters, Yoga is a process for us, that leads us to Samadhi. In the true and traditional meaning, this is our goal for practicing Yoga. That’s why mantras are playing a very important role for us. Mantras can be single sounds, words or group of words. We are repeating mantras in our meditation practice or during ceremonies. When you continuously repeat a mantra, you will soon feel how distractions from the mind disappear and you get more focused. Ideally – for unfolding their full power – mantras are repeated 11 times. You can repeat them loudly or silent – both ways are effective.

One very famous mantra is the Gaytri mantra, that we would like to introduce to you now. It’s also known as “universal mantra”. You can try to repeat this mantra during your next meditation practice and try to feel its effect. You are unsure how to pronounce the mantra? Please let us know or join one of our next courses. We will be happy to provide you with deeper guidance.

Gaytri Mantra
“Om bhuh bhuvah svah
Tat savitur varenyam
Bhargo devasya dheemahi
Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat”

Meaning
“Oh God, you are the giver of life,
the remover of pain & sorrow, the giver of happiness;
O Creator of the universe, may we receive your supreme sin destroying light,
may you guide our intellect in the right direction.”