When repeating Mantras it helps to figure out what’s the best way to say them for you.

There are four ways to repeat Mantras and do Japa Yoga:

The first is to repeat the mantra out loud. This is known as Vaikhari Japa. Most beginning students and adepts alike use this form of Japa.

First find a quiet peaceful place where you won’t be disturbed, sitting either in a yoga meditation posture or on a chair, gather your mala and start saying the Mantra out loud. Saying it out loud helps us to attune our selves to the pronunciation of the Sanskrit and also helps us calm the mind. It is helpful when your mind gets distracted to come back to the Mantra and focus on the energy of the sounds.

The next way to repeat the Mantra is to whisper or hum the Mantra. This method is called Upamsu Japa and while you are whispering or humming the Mantra – it is not heard by anyone. This method requires a deeper ability to concentrate than Vaikhari Japa and is considered by the great adepts to be 1,000 times more powerful than Vaikhari. Many of the Tibetan Buddhist practitioners use this way. This method is delightful – it brings such a feeling of peace and harmony within one's self, but do note that it’s important to pronounce the Mantra clearly in your mind as you whisper or hum it.

Another way to repeat Sanskrit Mantra is silently in your mind. This type of Japa is called Manasika Japa. It is 100,000 times more powerful than Upamsu Japa. It requires a great mental facility to stay focused on the Mantra and not let the mind waver. In my experience, this is the most powerful form of Mantra repetition.

Then there is Likhita Japa where you write down the Mantra in Sanskrit. It is helpful to practice this Japa with the same pen that is solely for this use and write the Mantra down in a special book, which is also set aside for this distinct purpose. There are many great sages and saints who have used this method and it is said to clarify the mind and bring a great feeling of peace as well.

So figure out for yourself which way of doing Japa suits your style and honours where you are in the practice.

The Goddess of Wisdom and specifically in Mantra – the spiritually infused sounded (either spoken or silently) word is Saraswati. She is present in the Vedic pantheon and also in Buddhism.

Her Mantra is:

OM EIM SARASWATYEI NAMAHA  (OR SWAHA)

SALUTATIONS TO SARASWATI, SHAKTI OF THE ARTS, SCIENCES AND DIVINE SPEECH.

Say Her Mantra daily 108 times in the morning and 108 times at night. She will send you many insights and you will come to understand many things that used to confuse you before.

With Love,

Aly M. Dunne