The seven wonders of life are outlined below.
1. To be able to BREATHE
2. To be able to SEE
3. To be able to FEEL
4. To be able to LAUGH
5. To be able to GIVE AND GROW
6. To be able to THINK
7. To be able to LOVE
Dr Amit Ray is known to the world for his teachings on meditation, yoga, peace and compassion. He is best known for his Om meditation and integrated yoga and vipassana meditation techniques. He is author of several books on meditation and other spiritual topics. Ray has many useful things to say about beautification of life. Here are 7 of my favourite fundamentals from Amit Ray.
“Beautify your inner dialogue. Beautify your inner world with love light and compassion. Life will be beautiful.” – Amit Ray
True Beauty, comes from within. Inner beautification refers to a state of being mentally and spiritually at peace, with enough knowledge and understanding to keep us strong in the face of discord or stress. It is a state where our mind performs at an optimal level positivity of joy, happiness and tranquillity. It is associated with bliss, happiness and contentment. Inner beautification is the opposite of being stressed or anxious. It is freeing the mind from negative energies of anger, depression and frustration. It is also freeing the mind from inner critic.
“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” – Amit Ray
Living in the moment eliminates stress, strain and anxiety. Generally, we remain excessively preoccupied with our thoughts of the past and plans for the future and that drains our energy. Best way of living in the moment is focusing on a single-task. Focus on what you’re doing. When you’re eating, just eat. When you’re bathing, just bathe. If you are too fast, learn to live slowly. Let your breath act as an anchor in every stressful situation of life.
“It does not matter how long you are spending on the earth, how much money you have gathered or how much attention you have received. It is the amount of positive vibration you have radiated in life that matters.” – Amit Ray
In this fast paced, technology driven world often life brings new challenges which creates stress, strain and anxiety. Moreover, newspaper, television and the media are continuously pouring negative information. If we live from the surface of our mind, we will be unable to handle the situations of life. We need to learn go deep and go within and that will give us positive energy which we can spread to the world.
“It is not over. Champions extend their limits and make things happen.” – Amit Ray
We need to take action. Without taking action very little can be done. It is very easy to get locked into a reactive mindset. It is easy to get lost in the middle. The resistance to action comes from your imagining negative future consequences – or reflecting on past failures. And so you get lost in your circumstances. You tend to feel powerless and like you are just drifting along. But you can rule the circumstances, if you are proactive. Taking action can be hard and difficult. There can be much inner resistance. But living proactively is much more rewarding and exciting.
“When the Sun of compassion arises darkness evaporates and the singing birds come from nowhere.” – Amit Ray
Compassion brings lasting happiness. Compassion is the desire and actions to reduce the suffering of others. Living with compassion means striving to maximize the good we accomplish, not following a rigid set of rules or trying to fit a certain label. It is everyday doing something good for the benefit of all beings. Make someone happy.
“Your thoughts are your message to the world. Just as the rays are the messages of the Sun.” – Amit Ray
Just pay attention to your thoughts. You can see that many thoughts are primarily fear-based and judgmental. Removing the activities, tasks and thoughts that are not so important frees up time and energy for you to do more of what you really want to do. Try to be choiceful about your thoughts.
“Self-observation is the first step of inner unfolding.” – Amit Ray
Self-discovery is the highest journey. The idea is to know yourself better. It is building a connection with your soul. It is an effort to understand your strengths and weaknesses, your passions and fears, your desires and dreams. It should be done in a non-judgmental way. It is to love yourself as you are and not as you should be. When you love yourself, you will know your uniqueness.
Mantra chanting is an ancient way for getting success, healing and prosperity in life. There are many mantras. However some of the most useful mantras are discussed here.
Mantra chanting is easily practiced anywhere, as when repeated mentally, no one can see what we are doing. It is one method for regaining and maintaining peace during stressful times. When we are feeling stress, a few moments of mantra meditation can clear away the dust obstructing the view of a good resolution. And, upon lying down for sleep, mantra repetition can calm the mind, letting the body relax.
A mantra is a syllable or group of syllables – sound vibrations – that clear the mind of debris; much as sound vibrations clean jewelry. When first practicing, the mantra can be spoken, and as we concentrate we can begin mental repetition.
Swami Prabhupada writes in the Srimad Bhagavatam: “Unless one follows the disciplic succession, the mantra one receives will be chanted for no purpose. Nowadays there are so many useless gurus who manufacture their mantras as a process for material advancement, not for spiritual advancement. Still, the mantra cannot be successful if it is manufactured. Mantras and the process of devotional service have special power..”
As with all types of meditation practices the practice itself is not the goal; the goal is a calm mind and relaxed body, so that harmonious thoughts more easily come to mind followed by their product of kind and caring actions.
When our mind is calm and clear we make the best decisions for all concerned. Peace and harmony in our own life influences others’ feelings of peace and harmony. Our positive and kind words and actions bless ourselves, because we feel good in the process of positive thought and action, and the recipients of our goodness benefit by our actions and examples.
When mantra does not work?
A mantra must be received from your Inner Guru. Mantras received from any other type of external gurus, like unrealized head of some spiritual organizations generally does not work. Generally mantra which includes the name of a dead person “incarnations,” does not work. Mantra with too many words does not work.
Real Mantras:
The yoga cum meditation cum spiritual business is flourishing these days. Modern-day “incarnations,”, “messiahs,” with all varieties of mantras, are a dime a dozen, as eager customers flock to the feet of self-styled saviors. The Mundaka Upanisad states that “In order to learn the transcendental science, one must approach the bona fide spiritual master in disciplic succession, who is fixed in the Absolute Truth.”
The Power of Mantra Meditation
The Vedas, scriptures containing the timeless spiritual knowledge of ancient India, state that an awakening process is desperately needed because everyone in this material world is in a sleeping, dreamlike condition. We have forgotten our original, spiritual identity, accepting instead a temporary material body composed of physical elements as our real self. The Vedas compare the material body to the subtle forms we experience in dreams. While sleeping, we forget our normal waking identity and may find ourselves enjoying or suffering in different types of bodies. But when we hear the ringing of the alarm clock, we awaken and return to normal consciousness. We remember who we are and what we should be doing. Similarly, by hearing the powerful transcendental sound vibrations of mantra, we can gradually wake up to our original self, the soul, which is characterized by eternality and is full of knowledge and ever-increasing pleasure.
The sages of ancient India therefore tell us that the goal of human life should not be to try to enjoy our temporary dreamlike situation in the material world. Rather, we are advised to awaken to our original, spiritual nature and ultimately return to our true home in the spiritual world, where we may enjoy an eternal relationship with the Supreme God.
The transcendental potency necessary for developing complete psychological and spiritual fulfillment is already present within everyone. It must, however, be uncovered by a genuine spiritual process.
How to Chant
There are two basic types of chanting. Personal meditation, where one just remember the power of the word, is called mental japa. When one chants in responsive fashion with others, this is called kirtana. Kirtana is usually accompanied by musical instruments and clapping. Both forms of chanting are recommended and beneficial.
There are no hard-and-fast rules for chanting. The most wonderful thing about mantra meditation is that one may chant anywhere — at home, at work, driving in the car, or riding on the bus or subway. And one may chant at any time.
The OM Chant
If there is no religious preference than the sound vibration ‘OM’ is a universally recognized mantra.
If using ‘OM’ draw the sound out like this – oooooommmmmmmmmmm – emphasis being on the last part. To use in conjunction with breathing take an in breath, and then on the out breath repeat ‘OM’ remembering to draw out the ending.
Therefore chanting OM (AUM) will bring us to a state of purity in body mind and soul.
Sri Amit Ray in the Book Om Chanting and Meditation beautifully explained the details of Om meditation and AUM chanting.
AUM
The Purity Chant
The Om is composed of three letters, A, U, and M. These symbolize the practitioner’s impure body, speech, and mind; they also symbolize the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha.
All Buddhas are cases of beings who were like ourselves and then in dependence on the path became enlightened; Buddhism does not assert that there is anyone who from the beginning is free from faults and possesses all good qualities. The development of pure body, speech, and mind comes from gradually leaving the impure states arid their being transformed into the pure.
The path is indicated by the next four syllables. Mani, meaning jewel, symbolizes the factors of method-the altruistic intention to become enlightened, compassion, and love. Just as a jewel is capable of removing poverty, so the altruistic mind of enlightenment is capable of removing the poverty, or difficulties, of cyclic existence and of solitary peace. Similarly, just as a jewel fulfils the wishes of sentient beings, so the altruistic intention to become enlightened fulfils the wishes of sentient beings.
The two syllables, padme, meaning lotus, symbolize wisdom. Just as a lotus grows forth from mud but is not sullied by the faults of mud, so wisdom is capable of putting you in a situation of non-contradiction whereas there would be contradiction if you did not have wisdom. There is wisdom realizing impermanence, wisdom realizing that persons are empty, of being self-sufficient or substantially existent, wisdom that realizes the emptiness of duality-that is to say, of difference of entity between subject an object-and wisdom that realizes the emptiness of inherent existence. Though there are many different types of wisdom, the main of all these is the wisdom realizing emptiness.
Purity must be achieved by an indivisible unity of method and wisdom, symbolized by the final syllable hum, which indicates indivisibility. According to the sutra system, this indivisibility of method and wisdom refers to wisdom affected by method and method affected by wisdom. In the mantra, it refers to one consciousness in which there is the full form of both wisdom and method as one un-differentiable entity. In terms of the seed syllables of the five Conqueror Buddhas, hum is the seed syllable of Akshobhya – the immovable, the unfluctuating, that which cannot be disturbed by anything.
Thus the six syllables, om mani padme hum, mean that in dependence on the practice of a path which is an indivisible union of method and wisdom, you can transform your impure body, speech, and mind into the pure exalted body, speech, and mind of a Buddha. It is said that you should not seek for Buddhahood outside of yourself; the substances for the achievement of Buddhahood are within. We have within us the seed of purity, the essence of a One, that is to be transformed and fully developed into Buddhahood.
om mani padme hum
The Gayatri Mantra
The meaning of the Gayatri mantra is as follows
We contemplate the glory of Light illuminating the three worlds: gross, subtle, and causal.
I am that vivifying power, love, radiant illumination, and divine grace of universal intelligence.
We pray for the divine light to illumine our minds.
Om: The primeval sound
Bhur: the physical world
Bhuvah: the mental world
Suvah: the celestial, spiritual world
Thath: That; God; transcendental Paramatma
Savithur: the Sun, Creator, Preserver
Varenyam: most adorable, enchanting
Bhargo: luster, effulgence
Devasya: resplendent,supreme Lord
Dheemahi: we meditate upon
Dhiyo: the intellect,understanding
Yo: May this light
Nah: our
Prachodayath: enlighten,guide,inspire
Om Bhur Buvaha Suvaha
Thath Savithur Varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dheemahi
Dhiyo Yonaha Prachodayath
Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra Chant:
Anybody can recite this mantra and attain good health, release from mental bondage from ideologies and other problems.
OM TRYAMBAKAM YAJAMAHE
SUGANDHIM PUSHTHI VARDHANAM
URVARUKAMIVA BANDHANAT
MRYTYOR MUKSHEEYA MAMRITAT ||
Tryambaka is the name of Lord Shiva as the father of the three worlds – bhu, bhuva and svarga lokas.
Meaning: We remember the Three-Eyed Lord Shiva who is naturally fragrant, immensely merciful and who is the Protector of the devotees. Remembering the name may we be liberated from death for the sake of immortality just as the ripe cucumber easily separates itself from the binding stalk i.e. “By your Grace, Let me be in the state of salvation (Moksha) and be saved from the clutches of death and sorrowness”. Remembering Lord Ganesha and then Brahmrishi Vasishta who has given us this mahamantra.
It brings health, wealth, peace, prosperity, satisfaction and long life. It is a Moksha-Mantra too.
The Hare Krishna Mantra
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rama, Hare Rama,
Rama Rama, Hare Hare
The HU Chant
Chanting HU (pronounced “hue”) aloud or to yourself can open your heart to God’s love and transform your life. This daily practice can help you experience more love, joy and spiritual freedom. You can also try chanting this inwardly when faced with challenging situations. HU is a ancient name for God and is a very uplifting chant when singing it with a group of people.
HU (hue)
Mantra for success, mantra for healing and mantra for peace is the ancient way for happy life.
There are many simple mantras that can make you successful. For getting success in life your attitude to life and mantra chanting should go hand in hand. Good karma is like the seed for the crops, and the mantra is like the water and soil. The mantra helps the good karma, if it’s there, to ripen quickly. Mantras are affirmations of positive thoughts.
The mantra for success are as follows:
1. Discover what you owe to others?
Choose someone you know who is successful, then first consider what you have received from them, second what you have given to them and thirdly what trouble you have caused them. This may lead to discovering you owe others more than you thought.
2. Pay closer attention to life’s pleasures.
Appreciate what is around you. We missed so much, by the rush and busyness we submit ourselves to at work.
3. Observe your tongue.
You don’t need to control your tongue but don’t forget to observe it.
4. Get plenty of sleep, exercise, smile and laugh.
All these are necessary to enhance your mood both long and short term.
5. Enhance Your Self-Esteem
Six pillars that comprise self-esteem are:
1. All the things I want and need come to me.
2. I always receive more than what I need.
3. I have a bank account with more than enough.
4. I am an abundant person.
5. I create abundance in all that I say and do.
6. I accept abundance.
7. I welcome, and am open to receive all abundance that comes.
8. I draw abundance to myself today and every day.
9. I am successful.
10. Everything I do turns into success.
11. I am filled with success.
12. Success comes effortlessly to my direction.
13. My success is contagious, other people like it, seek it and respect it.
14. I attract positive-minded people to me; I draw all things positive to myself.
15. I am very fortunate to work at what I love to do.
16. I make powerful and enjoyable business relationships and many of my business contacts are now my friends.
Positive affirmations is having enormous power. A good list of positive affirmations are available here.
Common mantra for success:
Har, Har, Har… mantra
Har, Har, Har, Har, Gobinday for a Shield of Good Luck and Prosperity
Har Har Har Har Gobinday
Har Har Har Har Mukunday
Har Har Har Har Udaaray
Har Har Har Har Apaaray
Har Har Har Har Hariang
Har Har Har Har Kariang
Har Har Har Har Nirmaanay
Har Har Har Har Akaamay
25th Pauri for Prosperity
Bahota karam likhiaa na jaa-ay.
Vadaa dataa til na tamaay.
Kaytay mange jodh apaar.
Kaythaa ganat nahee veechaar.
Kaytay khap tuteh vikar.
Kaytay lai lai mukar paa-eh.
Kaytay moorakh khaahee khaa-eh.
Kaytiaa dookh bhookh sad maar.
Ay-eh bhe daat tayree daataar
Band khaalasee bhanai hoe.
Hor aakh na sakai koe.
Jay ko khaa-ik akhaan paae.
Oh jaanai jaytee-aa muh khaa-ay.
Aapay jaanay aapay day-eh.
Aakheh se bhe kay-ee kay-eh.
Jis no bakhsay siphat saalaah.
Naanak paatishaahee paatishaah.