The Power of Mantra

The definition of mantra is "that which protects the mind." That which protects the mind from negativity, or that which protects you from your own mind, is called mantra.

When you are nervous, disorientated, or emotionally fragile, chanting or reciting a mantra inspiringly can change the state of your mind completely, by transforming its energy and atmosphere.

How is this possible?
Mantra is the essence of sound, and the embodiment of the truth in the form of sound. Each syllable is impregnated with spiritual power, condenses a spiritual truth, and vibrates with the blessing of the speech of the buddhas.

It is also said that the mind rides on the subtle energy of the breath, the prana, which moves through and purifies the subtle channels of the body.

So when you chant a mantra, you are charging your breath and energy with the energy of the mantra, and so working directly on your mind and subtle body.

Excerpt from The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying, Sogyal Rinpoche 1992

More songs from Monlam April 2009

The Six Questions (by Milarepa)

Mind has even more projections than there are dust motes in the sun
Is there an accomplised yogi here or yogini
Who sees the appearance of things laid bare in the very bed where it lies?

The basic nature of things is not produced by cause and conditions;
Is there an accomplised yogi here or yogini
Who gets to the very bottom of this, cuts down to its very root?

Mind's impulse to sudden thought cannot be stopped by hundreds with spears;
Is there an accomplised yogi here or yogini
Who sees that attachment can dissolve, be freed in and of itself?

The movement of thinking mind cannot be stopped by hundreds with spears;
Is there an accomplised yogi here or yogini
Who sees that discursive mind itself is empty in itself?

The sensory enjoyments even wisdom deities do not shun;
Is there an accomplised yogi here or yogini
Who's able to see through the transparency of the process of consciousness?

What about the appearance of th six kind of objects that go with the consciousness
Not even the hands of Victorious Ones can put a stop to that;
Is there an accomplised yogi here or yogini
Who can see there is no objects there behind the apperances?

Song Lyrics from Monlam : April 2009

Friends
A song about being full of love but free of attachment

Friends are empty forms like a water moon
To think of them as being truly real
Will only make your many sufferings increase

To know they're empty forms like a water-moon
Will make illusion-like samadhi increase
Compassion free of clinging will increase

And non-referential view will also increase
And meditation that's fixation-free
And conduct free of doer, deed increase

Of all the many marvels, this, by far the most marvelous!
Of all the many wonders, this, the most wonderful!

Composed by Khenpo Tsultrim at Marpa House, England, August 1997
Translated and arranged by Jim Scott