Page 3 - Lesson 8.xps
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Spiritual Aspects MODULE-2
Dimension of Physical
Inner awareness is the most important aspect to be developed in these days. In Education and Yog
this modern life style most of the time we remain under external inputs by different
gadgets. Our thoughts, actions, behaviours and the whole life are under external
influences. To develop a balance between inner self and outer world we have to
adopt yogic teachings. Inner awareness is the outcome of the yogic practices if
practiced sincerely & seriously. It is a subtle experience and influences through
subtle body - Vigyanmaya kosha (intellectual body) and Anandmaya kosha (body
of bliss). If one is able to become aware of oneself in the body that is called
meditation. Meditation is not necessarily concentration on God, but it is realization Note
of the inner dimension of one’s own personality. We have much more to know
within our body. The individual awareness is potentially cosmic. Dhyan, Zen,
meditation, total attention, total awareness; all are the same things. Therefore, it
is very important that everybody should devote ten minutes of each day to discover
his inner self.
8.3 MANTRA CHANTING
A mantra is a sacred word, sound or phrase, which is believed to have a spiritual
and psychological power. Mantra is often used in meditation as a way to harness
and focus the mind. The word mantra consists of two roots ‘Man’ and ‘Tra’
where ‘Man’ means profound meditation and ‘Tra’ means releasing. In Hansha
Upnishad mantra is defined as ‘Mannaat Trayete iti Mantra’ which means “by
contemplating upon which, the mind is freed from obsession.”
Chanting is a process of repeating mantras, special vibratory sounds to heal
one’s inner being, to rejuvenate, to purify and to transform every aspect of life
including mental, emotional, spiritual and physical bodies.
Mantra is not merely a holy name or a divine sound. It is the basis of yoga and
spiritual life. Mantras are Vedic in origin. The teachings of the Vedas consist of
various Mantric chants or hymns cognized by different seers from the cosmic
mind. Mantras are used in many religions and schools of thought, including
Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Christianity. The use, structure,
function, importance and types of mantras vary according to the school and
philosophy of Hinduism and Buddhism. Mantras come in many forms and are
typically melodic, mathematically structured meters, believed to be resonant
with numinous qualities. As its simplest, the word P (Aum, Om) serves as a
mantra. In other words, mantras are melodic phrases with spiritual interpretations
such as a human longing for truth, reality, light, immortality, peace, love,
knowledge and action.
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