Your practice of mantra repetition creates a sort of sound within. The sound is already in you. You are not doing anything new. That is the divine within you in the form of sound: namarupa, in Sanskrit. The Bible says that in the beginning there was the Word. That...
Music as a Tool for Listening & Spiritual Evolution
Exclusive Artist Spotlight: World devotional diva Donna De Lory talks about her evolution as a singer and seeker, music as a tool to get present, and creating positive music for kids. If you’ve ever danced your way through a Yoga music festival or practiced your poses...
Shabad Yoga: The Sounds of Wisdom
Snatam Kaur (whose name means, “universal, nucleus and friend to all”) was introduced to music and spiritual practice at an early age through the 3HO lifestyle (Healthy, Happy Holy Organization) founded by Yogi Bhajan, and she was schooled in Sikh traditional kirtan...
CD/Download: Sacred Invocation of the Goddess
This newly released CD, part of the "Sacred Mantra" series was recently released. The invocation is a hymn of praise to Goddess Durga and is the first part of the Devi Stuti—a collection of sacred Sanskrit mantras and stotras in the Devi Mahatmyam (Glory of the...
Q & A with Swami Satchidananda: Mantra Japa
Question: What is the secret of mantra japa (mentally repeating a mantra continuously)? I can keep my attention on if for a short time and then I forget all about it! Swami Satchidananda: First, you have to constantly and consciously repeat the mantra. Later, the...
Healing Relationships Through Sound
Jonathan & Andi Goldman, leading experts in the field of sound healing share a conversation with us exploring the use of sound in personal, interpersonal and planetary healing. Integral Yoga Magazine: You have been working in the field of sound healing for 40...
Mantras as an Aid to Meditation
According to Dr. Frawley, mantra repetition is perhaps the main method of the Yoga meditation. He regards mantras as asanas for the mind. He’s written an entire book on the subject (Mantra Yoga and Primal Sound) and, in this interview, he details the use of mantra as...
Questions & Answers on Meditation with Swami Satchidananda
Question: What is the difference between meditating on something like a mantra and meditating on nothing at all, that is, on no particular mantra, thought or phrase? Will there be different results? Swami Satchidananda: No. But you have to teach me, how to meditate on...
The Healing and Transformative Power of Chanting
An internationally acknowledged master teacher, Jonathan Goldman has studied with masters of sound from both the scientific and spiritual traditions, including the Dalai Lama’s Chanting Gyuto and Gyume Monks. In this interview he gives an overview of some of the...
Music of the Universe: Our Relationship with Sacred Sound
Everything begins with a seed. The ancient scriptures describe this seed, or bija, as sonic in origin. They paint mystical pictures of a primordial sound from which the entire cosmos sprang. They describe planets, stars and galaxies as being magically strung together...
What is Japa Yoga?
WHAT IS JAPA ? Repetition of any Mantra or Name of the Lord is known as Japa. Japa is an important Anga of Yoga. It is a spiritual food for the hungry soul. Japa is the rod in the hand of the blind Sadhakas (aspirants) to plod on the road to Realization. Japa is the...
Questions & Answers on Mantra and Meditation
Question: What is the difference between meditating on something like a mantra and meditating on nothing at all, that is, on no particular mantra, thought or phrase? Will there be different results? Swami Satchidananda: No. But you have to teach me, how to meditate on...
The Name of God
The mystic sound OM is the word expressive of God. It is God’s name. We have to give a name to God, but it is rather difficult to find a suitable name for that nameless, formless, omnipresent and omniscient One. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali say, “Tasya vachaka...
Mantra Meditation
I am often asked, “What should I meditate upon?” The simplest thing is to repeat a mantra (a mystic sound). It is a very sound method. It is really simple, but at the same time, very powerful. It could be OM or AMEN or HARI OM or OM SHANTI—any mantra you like. If you...
Listening to the Sound Within
Nada Yoga is the Yoga of sound and it includes practices using sound formulas and mantras. Mantra repetition itself is a Nada Yoga practice. Through repeating the mantra, you gradually develop that sound vibration within. After practicing for a long time, you will be...
Mantra Meditation
An Interview with Dr. David Frawley (Pandit Vamadeva Shastri) According to Dr. Frawley, mantra is perhaps the main method of the Yoga of technique. He regards mantras as asanas for the mind. He’s written an entire book on the subject (Mantra Yoga and Primal Sound)...