How can we hear the voice of our spirit?
We have various possibilities in this regard. I’m going to list a few of them, those ones that I am still practicing or I have practiced previously. They may seem obvious, because generally they are suggested nowadays to improve self-resilience as well. Here they are: meditation, contemplation, prayer, talking with intimate and real friends, nature bathing….and chanting mantra.
I would emphasize here the mantra meditation, because of different reasons. First, it can also be practiced by those who may feel themselves uncomfortable with other ways of meditation due to their inner tensions that do not let them relax. Second, the mantra is always there, in difficult situations as well, it is like a rope which connect us with our inner self and the Supreme. In the darkest and hardest moments in my life the mantra was always there and gave me enormous support. Without the maha mantra I would not be here. As for the mode of chanting, sometimes I chant the “maha mantra” quietly within myself while concentrating on the words, sometimes with friends or within group loudly together, accompanied by musical instruments. The big benefit of the latter is that it keeps your attention much better, thus the altered state of consciousness can be more easily reached. The mantra itself is like a Zip file. Our concentrated attention is what opens up its tremendous bliss and knowledge coded within. So, the knowledge, bliss and love are already within us. The vibration of the maha mantra just brings these qualities up to the surface. The biggest potency of this mantra that it brings love of God – if this is our spirit’s true wish.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
— Kali-Santarana Upanisad (i.e.1500)
Chanting this mantra is safe, universal and based on thousands of years of spiritual wisdoms. It is not a „religious” thing, it reveals the voice of the spirit and purifies it. Everyone can chant and at the same time can continue practicing his/her own religion, or can keep staying away from religion, or whatever else option is possible, it does not matter. The maha mantra connects all of us. The three words in the mantra means: Hare – the energy of transcendental joy; Krisna – the one who attracts everyone; Rama – the one, who is the source of all bliss. By repeating these words, we are inviting these qualities into our life.
Because these words refer to different aspects of God, they create a safe atmosphere for the meditation, which protects us. This may be important especially for those who have difficulties in setting boundaries in their life and they can experience lot of disturbing negative energies during their standard type of meditation. Thus, if we would like to open our heart in a safe space, for this aim the Hare Krisna mantra is ideal. Moreover, according to my personal experience, the three words of the mantra are able to harmonize our three main energy centers in our body as well. Therefore, that is useful in the harmonization of our physical and emotional body with our spirit. The potency in this mantra is well beyond any imagination, getting closer and closer to ourselves is just something basic that this mantra can give us…
What can we do to stay loyal to the voice of our spirit?
As I realized, actually we all are able to hear the voice of our spirit, but to speak and act accordingly is more challenging. It may happen that we become so scared by what we hear that we can suppress it immediately or we do so when smaller or bigger difficulties come. Thus, it seems much more challenging to continue the process than to start it. Our intellect, supported by science, scriptures, personal experiences, can give us support to make us able to go on, but sometimes it is still not enough. In such cases it is worth mobilizing all our inner strength. More than likely that rewriting few of our unconscious patterns will be needed as well. The serious and sincere individual effort is essential, however, finally only the mercy of God can help us through these blocks.
Magyar