At the start of a Kundalini Yoga and meditation practice, we "tune in" with ancient mantras. These connect us to the creative consciousness of the Universe and our own internal wisdom that guides us to be the best version of ourselves. If you’re practising at home, I’d encourage you to open your own sacred space with the Adi Mantra and Mangala Charan Mantra.
Each mantra is usually chanted 3 times. The first is for individual consciousness, the second for group consciousness and third time is for Universal consciousness. Group consciousness is the bridge between our finite Self and the Infinite or Divine.
Adi Mantra
Ong Namo
Guru Dev Namo
Translation:
I bow to the Creative Wisdom
I bow to the Divine Teacher within
The Adi Mantra is used to tune in to the divine flow and self-knowledge within each of us. It sets the vibrational tone for your practice, stimulates the glandular system and the flow of prana. It also aligns your mind, body and soul to fulfil the intention for your practice.
This mantra connects you to your inner guru, the teacher within. Ready to transform yourself from darkness into the light of higher awareness.
Mangala Charan Mantra
Aad Guray Nameh
Jugaad Guray Nameh
Sat Guray Nameh
Siri Guru Devay Nameh
Translation:
I bow to the Primal Wisdom I bow to the Wisdom through the Ages I bow to the True Wisdom I bow to the great, unseen Wisdom
The Mangala Charan Mantra is a very powerful mantra used for protection, to gain clarity and to receive guidance from one’s highest Self. Chanting this mantra creates a protective field of energy around you, attracting abundance to help live out your destiny.
Mangala means ‘happy/happiness’ and Charan means ‘feet’, so think of ‘happy feet’ as you chant at a brisk pace. Dance the words. Be rhythmic. Visualise a layer of protective light surrounding you in all directions.
Prepare the body
Firstly, find a comfortable seated position, somewhere quiet away from any distractions, if you can. If you’re outside in nature, even better. You can sit on the ground or in a chair with your feet flat to the ground. Notice and feel your connection to the earth.
Softly close your eyes and focus at the third eye point, between the eyebrows.
Press your palms together in prayer mudra. Rest your thumbs at your breast bone, at your Heart Centre. Every part of the hand meets in balance, the palms and the fingers meet exactly. Feel every part of the hand. Lift your chest to create length through your front body and draw your chin in slightly to form a gentle “neck lock” (jalandhar bandh).
Is there any tension in your lower jaw? Notice how your tongue rests inside your mouth. And begin to sense how you’re breathing. The air passing through your nostrils, over the back of your tongue, throat and into the lungs…
Breath awareness
Just for a moment, be present with your breath, as it rises and falls at its own pace. Notice the sensations in your belly and chest, without trying to control or change them, or to breathe in any special way.
Where do you notice the rising and falling sensations most strongly? Spend a few moments listening deeply, attending to the sensations…rising and falling, up and down. Let your breath be as it is, like an ocean wave, rising and falling.
Don’t try to alter the breath. If the breath is shallow, let it be shallow. If it’s deep, let it be deep. Is your breath tight and limiting or is it smooth, flowing and expansive? Just be with whatever it is.
Don't try to make it what it’s not. Just let the breath be natural. Let the body breathe itself, through the pores of your skin. Soften any sense of holding. The breath will find it’s own pace, rising and falling.
Tune in to a higher vibe
Consciously begin to deepen the breath. Tune in to your own subtlety and allow yourself to feel centred as you tune in to Universal consciousness. Set an intention to relieve your stress and anxiety as you connect with your inner Heart’s wisdom. Visualise protective light surrounding you in all directions.
Inhale deep through the nose, exhale completely through the nose. Repeat one more time. Then inhale deep, chant as you exhale:
Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo
(3 times)
Aad Guray Nameh
Jugaad Guray Nameh
Sat Guray Nameh
Siri Guru Devay Nameh
(3 times)
Then, inhale deeply and suspend the breath for as long as you feel comfortable. Exhale all the breath out. Relax the hands down. Allow the breath to flow naturally. Bring your attention inwards. Feel and sense what’s moving and what’s resting, while you allow the vibrations to settle in and around the body.
The benefits
The power lies within. The science of numerology and sacred geometry underpins the technology behind Kundalini Yoga practice. Chanting these mantras:
Stimulates the Vagus Nerve, responsible for nervous system regulation
Balances the 3 Gunas, the Universal energies within all of us that influence your action in the world – sattva, rajas, tamas
Balances the 3 mental bodies – Negative Mind, Positive Mind, Neutral Mind
Balances the 3 aspects of the Divine – Brahma, the generator, Vishnu, the organiser, and Shiva, the destroyer
Unites individual consciousness, group consciousness and Universal consciousness
Brings grounding, mental and emotional stability
Long Sat Nams
After your yoga or meditation practice, you can close the sacred space by chanting 1-3 long Sat Nams to honour your authentic self.
Sat Nam
Truth is my identity
I am Truth
Bring your hands back in prayer mudra at the Heart centre. Close your eyes. Inhale deeply and exhale completely as you chant a long Sat, followed by a short Nam:
Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat Naam
Experience a deep sense of relaxation and inner peace as the prana flows through your body,
Comments