Mantras

Practice guide

When you chant a mantra successfully, it interiorizes by moving from out loud chanting, to whisper, mental, effortless mental and subconscious ventilation. Then the syllables start to fall off, leaving very few (maybe only one) which eventually also fall away. The mantra becomes a wordless surge, an awareness of Spirit, ecstasy or peace. It has taken you to a super-conscious level. Wonderful meditations and realizations come as you abide in this level of attunement.

It is worthwhile to reverse the process as you return from your sublime state. Begin adding syllables, then move to mental, whisper and out loud chanting. As you chant out loud, feel the beautiful energy and awareness which you experienced in deep meditation descend and fill your whole body.

Extreme self-ownership

Everything in my life, I desired, I allowed, or I created myself.

Divine trust & refuge

God is with me, God sees me, God protects me.

This is similar to Psalm 91, as well as to one of the scientific healing affirmations from Paramahansa Yogananda:

God is within and around me, protecting me; so I will banish the fear that shuts out His guiding light.

Psalm 91 - adaptation

God is with me, God sees me, God protects me.

I rest in His presence, safe beneath His wings and shield. He is my refuge and my strength, my defender and my peace.

No danger can harm me, no darkness can hide me, for His light surrounds me.

His angels watch over me. His love upholds me. When I call, He answers. When I stumble, He lifts me.

I will not fear, for the Lord is my shelter.

Heart

Open my heart, so I may hear Your voice, always speaking from within. Reveal Your divine light hidden deep within my soul, so I may know and understand life more deeply. — From Hazrat Inayat Khan’s Khatum

Service

Use me, Lord, for the purpose that Your wisdom chooses And guide me on the path of Your own goodness. — From Hazrat Inayat Khan’s Saum

Union

Love. Courage. Confidence. Generosity. Devotion.

Prayer for union

Inbreath: Lord, make me a channel of Your divine love. exhale: Give me the courage and confidence to carry out Your will, With grace, clarity, generosity, and devotion.

Traditional Mantras

So Ham - Clarity and transcendence. (I am That) — Jnana Yoga

Hong Sau - the sound of breath and awareness merging creates stillness and inner mastery. (I am Spirit) — Paramahansa Yogananda / Raja Yoga (self-realization meditation)

Nahung, Nahung; Tuhu, Tuhu (Nothing, Nothing; Everything, Everything) (Not I, Not I, Only You, Only You) — Sri Ramakrishna / Bhakti Yoga (surrender through devotion)