Mantrams, Affirmations - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

14/5/2015 Mantrams, Affirmations - Notebooks of Paul Brunton

http://paulbrunton.org/notebooks/4/6 1/24

PaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundationhomepage>NotebooksofPaulBrunton>Category4:ElementaryMeditation>Chapter6:Mantrams,Affirmations

Mantrams,Affirmations

Mantrams

1ThepracticeofmantramyogaiswellknownthroughoutIndiaasamethodofsuppressingthewanderingtendenciesofthemind.Amantram,usuallygivenbyaguruoradaptedbyoneselffromabook,isawordoraphraseorevenawholesentencewhichthepractitionerchantstohimselforwhispersorevenmentallyuttersagainandagain.SomeSanskritmantramsarequitemeaninglesssounds,whereasothersarefullofmetaphysicalorreligiousmeaning.Whichoneisuseddoesnotmatterfromthepointofviewofacquiringconcentration,butitdoesmatterfromthepointofviewofdevelopinganyparticularqualityofcharacterordevotionalhomagewhichthemantramsymbolizes.Thismentalorvocalrepetitionistobedoneperiodicallyandfaithfully.

2TheuseofmantramsisnotpeculiartotheHindu.ItisstillfoundintheRomanandEasternChurches,intheSuficirclesandtheLamaisticprayers.

3Themantramisastatementinwordsorasymbolinpicturewhichdeclaressometruthofhigherbeing,law,attribute,andhelp,orremindsoneofamoralqualitytobepractised,oractsasausefulselfhelpselfsuggestion.Thewordscanbetakenfromanyinspiredscripture,writer,orpoetorcanbequotationsfromaphilosopherofinsightandusedasaninvocationoraffirmation.Theyshouldbetimely,fittedtotheimmediatespiritualneedoftheperson.

4TheMeditationofConstantRemembrance:

Afactorintheintegralpath,besidesmoralreeducation,towhichwehavenotgivenenoughweightinpublishedwritingsindeedhavehardlymentionedisselfrecollection,thefrequentremembranceoftheOverselfatalltimesofthedayandamidstallkindsofsituations.Suchremembrance,duringthelongintervalsbetweenformalmeditations,isanintegralpartofthisquest.Abriefsacredformulaexpressedinaninvocationoraffirmation,called"mantram,"ismostusefulforthispurposeandisgiventhedisciplesothathisremembranceisautomaticallyarousedwhenhabitcauseshimtorepeatitswordsconstantlyandmentally.Themantramisahandydeviceforattractinghimtothisremembranceandmakingitsachievementeasierandsure.AconstanttechniquethroughoutthedayisusuallylackingintheknowledgeandpracticeofWesternseekers,sotheyneedtolearnitsefficiencyanduse.Thelonghoursbetweenmeditationperiodsarewasted.Asasisterexercisetotheordinarymeditations,itwillbeusefultomanystudentswhilstasameanstoreplacethemforthosestudentswhofindformalmeditationtoodifficultortooinconvenient,itismostvaluable.Itisequivalenttothe"rightmindfulness"oftheBuddhisteightfoldpath,totheSufi"Dikr,"andtothe"correctpolarization"inmodernpsychology.

Inchoosingasuitableformulaforhisownuse,thestudentshouldbearinmindthatitisnotonlyremembrancethatisneeded,butlovingremembrance.Themantramforsuch



repetitionmustnotonlyremindhimoftheOverselfbutattracthimtoit.Hence,itshouldbeonethatinspiresdevotionandupliftscharacter.Itshouldembodyspiritualizingthoughtandgatherennoblingemotionaroundit.ItmayconsistofasinglewordnameorattributeofGodorofachosenspiritualguide,butitispreferableandmorepowerfultouseaphraseofthreetotensyllables.ThismaybeaninvocationtoDivinity,ortotheguide,orbeabeneficentautosuggestion.Itisbetter,however,toreceivesuchawordorphrasefromaqualifiedteacheratapersonalinterview,forhewillnotonlychooseoneespeciallysuitabletothestudent'sspiritualneedatthetimeandthereforeaptandforcefulbutwillalsoimparthisownpowerintoit.

Theformulamustberepeatedmanytimesadayandeverydayintheyear.Yetitswordsshouldalwayscarryvividmeaningandneverbeallowedtobecomemereparrotutterances.Thereisnofixedtimeandnoparticularposturenecessaryforthepractice.Itmaybemutteredhalfaloudintheearlierstages,butshouldbecomesilentandmentalinthelaterstages.

Thepurposes,benefits,andresultsofthispracticeareseveral:

l.Ithasanintellectualeffectbyactingasareminderorarouserinabusymateriallife.Thus,thefirsteffectistoarousethought,thesecondistostillit.

2.Theconstantrepetitionhasamesmericeffect:itlullsthesensesandthoughtsintosemiinactivityandsetstheattentionfreetopassinwardtowardthesoulandeventuallyinducesthecontemplativemood.

3.Itdevelopsanacute,growingselfconsciousnessoftherightsort,aconstantobsessivesuggestionthatthereisahigherself.

4.Itleadstothenecessaryconcentration,whichisadoortoinnerconsciousness.

5.Itsrhythmicactivityalignsandthenintegratesthedifferentpartsofthepersonality.Italsoremovestheirrestlessness.

6.Itgraduallyestablishessubconsciousorientationtowardsthehigherself,whichkeepsonbreakingintotheconsciousfieldtothedetrimentofthelowerselfthusitgivesdirectiontothoughtandpurificationtocharacter.Itenablestheseeker,therefore,togoonwitheverydayexternalliving,knowingthatGodisworkinginhiminternally.

7.Itbecomesafocusforcontinuousconcentrationduringactivelife,evenwhilstengagedinwork,pleasure,orwalking.

Forgetfulnessofthequest,oroftheOverself,besetsmostaspirants.Hereisavaluableremedy.Itbringsthechosengoal,orthereveredideal,constantlybacktotheirattention.

5Practisingmantramconsistsofrepeatingaselectedwordoverandover,soakingoneselfinit.Therearethreestages:(a)chantingthewordoutloud(b)whisperingit(c)repeatingitmentally.Then,whenrepetitionceases,allthoughtscease.Throughthisconstantconcentration,themantrambecomesabackdroptoone'sdailylife.Justasonecanhumatunewhileattendingtootheraffairs,sothemantrambecomesaneverpresentaccompaniment.Whenoneturnsfullattentionontoitandconcentratesfullyuponitandthenstopsallthoughtsstop.Thisisthepurposeofthemantram.Thisresultmaytakeweeksormonths.

6Therearethreetypesofmantrams:



(a)themusical(orbhakti)mantram(forexample,"JaiRam").Themusicalintonationsinrepetitionofaword(ortwowords)createanalmosthypnoticeffectasinaGregorianchantorRavel'sBolero.

(b)themeaningfulmantram.Oneselectsawordrepresentingaqualityonedesiresandchantsitslowlytoabsorbitsmeaningonemeditatesonthewordandthemeaningoftheword.Eventuallythemeaningfloodsgraduallyintooneandheidentifieswithit.Example:"IamBeing."

(c)themeaninglessmantram.Ausefultechniqueforintellectualswhowishtosurmountthebarriersoftheintellectistochooseawordwithoutapparentmeaning"Krim"or"Ayin,"forexample.TheworditselfbecomesasymbolofThatwhichisbeyondcomprehension.ItenablesonetogobeyondboundariesofthefiniteintellecttorelatetoThatwhichisinfinite.Agoodexampleis"Aum"pronounced"Aahooommm."Thefirstletterrepresentsthewakingstate,thesecondthedreamstate,thethirddeepsleep,withtheirwide,thennarrow,thenclosed,sounds.

7JapaisamantramspecificallyrestrictedinmeaningtoanameofGod.Likeallmantrams,itisconstantlyrepeated.ItisnotonlyonewayofprayerfulremembranceofGodbutalsoasimpleeasymethodofovercomingthemind'stendencytowanderaboutandtobringitintoconcentration.Itcanalsobeassistedbyharmonizingitssyllableswiththeincomingandoutgoingbreaths.

8ThedifferencebetweenpracticeofJapaandpracticeofmantraisthattheformerusesonlysacredwordsornamesbutthelattermayusenonsacred,secular,orevenmeaninglesswords.

9Therepeatedinvocationofasacredname,withtrustinitssavingpower,eventuallykeepsawayallotherthoughtsandthusfocusesthemindinakindofconstantmeditation.Intheearlierstagesitisthemanhimselfwholaboursatthisrepetition,butintheadvancedstagesitistheOverself'sgracewhichactuatesithisownpartbeingquitepassiveandmechanical.

10Amantraisashortdynamicsayingtoberepeatedtooneselfincessantly.Themonotonyofthisproceduredoesnot,asmightbeexpected,produceaboringeffectbutratheralullingonewhichispleasant.

11Itusesonethoughtinordertotranscendallthoughts,asinglevibrationofthemindinordertoattainastillnessneverordinarilyknownbythemind.

12Byrepeatingthesamewordsinthesamerhythmfrequentlyduringtheday,theweek,andtheyear,themind'sresistancetotheideaenshrinedinthosewordsisslowlyworndown.Atimecomeswhennotonlydothewordsrepeatthemselveswithoutconsciouseffort,butalsotheirmeaningimpressesitselfdeeply.

13Thisrepetitionmethodmayseemsomewhatprimitiveandcrudetothesophisticatedoreducatedmodernmind,andquiteneedlesslyredundant.Butitisbasedonsoundpsychologicalpractice.Itisanappealtothesubconscious,nottothelogicalmind.Its



kindredisthelullabywhichamothersingsandwithwhichshesoothesherchildtosleep.

14Youmaydeviseyourownformula,affirmation,oratraditionalmantram,ifyouwish,buttheuseofonespeciallypreparedbyaMasterpossessestestedmerit.

15AfitsubjectforthemantrayogameditationexerciseistheseriesofwordsdescriptiveoftheOverself'sattributes.Onewordcouldbetakeneachday.

16TheideaisthatthisrhythmicincantationwillopenanavenueofcommunionwiththeOverself.

17Afurthervalueofmantramyogaisthatitkeepsthepractiserfromthinkingabouthimself.Thetwothingsaspecificmantramandapersonalmattercannotcoexistinhisconsciousness.

18IndianandTibetanyogisparticularlyvalueandusetheOmmantrambecausetheyaretaught,andbelieve,thatitssoundwasthefirstoneintheworldcreationandthatitsrepetitionwillbringthemindbacktothestillnesswhichexistedbeforethatcreation.

19Theyogicclaimisthatthisomomomomsoundiscosmicitisthekeynoteofthespinningglobesinspaceitisthehummingvibrationofalltheworlds.

20Vivekananda:"Wecannowunderstandwhatismeantbyrepetition.Itisthegreateststimulusthatcanbegiventothespiritualsamskaras[tendencies].Onemomentofcompanywiththeholybuildsashiptocrossthisoceanoflifesuchisthepowerofassociation.SothisrepetitionofOmandthinkingofitsmeaningarethesameaskeepinggoodcompanyinyourownmind.Studyandthenmeditateonwhatyouhavestudied.ThuslightwillcometoyoutheSelfwillbecomemanifest.ButonemustthinkofOmanditsmeaningtoo."

21Thefirstrevelationofthedivineworldissound.Beforebeholdingit,onehearsitwithaninnerear.ThenameofGodhasnotonlythepowerofeasilywashingawayallsin,butcanevenuntietheknotoftheheartandwakenloveofGod.TobeseveredfromGodistheonlyrealsin.

22Amantrambecomesmostworthwhilewhenitishearddeepdeepdowninthepractiser'sbeing.Itwillthenproducetheeffectofprofoundinnerabsorption.

23WhenonewhoseAtmaniscompletelywakenedsingsthenameofGod,thishasthepowerofwakingasleepingsoul.Whathappenstheniscalledinitiation.Bylisteningdevotedly,whileanothersingsthename,andbysingingitoneself,one'sheartisledbacktoitsrealnature,whichislove.

24OMmeans"Iampartof(oronewith)theWorldSoul."

25



Partofhisendeavourshouldbetosetuparhythmicrelationbetweenthemantramandhisinnerbeing.Ifhefaithfullyattendstoitspractice,thetimewillcomewhenitwillvoiceitselfwithinhimatregulartimes,suchasafterwakingfromsleepandbeforeenteringintoit.

26AUMischantedonaverylownoteandextendedonasingleindrawnbreath.

27Themantra"ShantamParamSukham"means"Serenityisthehighesthappiness."

28Donotkeepallyourattentionfixedonthechangingscenearoundyou.HoldsomeofitbackfortheWordwhich,inyourconsciousness,standsfortheSupremePower.

29Tochantmantramsortoaffirmdeclarations,withoutlookingtothekindoflifehelives,isnotenough.

30TheyareknowninTibetasdharanis,literally"mysticalsentences,"andinIndiaasmantrams,literally"sacredsyllables"or"sacredchants."

31ThosemantramslikeHrim,Klim,andsoforth,whichhavenosignificanceatallmaystillbemeditatedonuntilthemeditatorrealizesthroughthemthattheentireworldappearanceisitselfwithoutsignificancebecauseoftheVoidnesswhichisitsreality.

32TheearthlysoundofthenameofGodisonlyavesselfortheshadowoftheSpiritualSound.EventhisshadowhelpstoleadthehearttoGod.

33Thecontinualpracticeofthemantramleadsintimetotheawakeningofhisspiritualforces.Theyriseupspontaneouslyfromtheirdeeplyhiddensourcewithinhimandbegintosaturatehismindandoverwhelmhisego.

34BothpoetTennysonandmedicoCrichtonBrownepassedintothestateofilluminationbythesamemethodsilentlyrepeatingtheirownnametothemselves.

35Allmantramsconstitutedbymeaninglessormysticalwordsareintendedtocreateamentalvacuum.

36ThewordOmisnottheonlyonewhosesoundisusedbyOrientalstoquietenthemindinmeditationandthereforeclaimedasaholyword.TheChinesehaveusedCh'an,theJapaneseZen,theHindusSoami,theArabsSufiforthesamepurpose.

37Theeffectofthisconstantdwellingonthemantramistocometorestwithinthemoodofmindorthestateofheartwhichitsymbolizes.

38IfasagebeonewhoexistsconstantlyintheawarenessoftheOverself,thenmantramcanbeaShortPathtechniquetoemulatehisawareness.Byputtingthecartbeforethehorse



andaimingatimitatingthesage'sawareness,wecancomeclosertohisstateofbeing.

39Thevocalchantingofamantrambelongstotheelementarypracticeofit.Inthemoreadvancedpractice,nothingisspokenaloudandthemantramissimplyheldinthemindconstantlyrepeatingitselfasathoughtbutathoughttowhichwekindoflistenandfromwhichweseemtostandapartsothatithasitsowninnervitality.Thismakesagreatdifferencefromthespokenpractice,becausethelatterkeepsthemantramfixedwhereastheformerleavesitflexible.

40Inthemantram"OmManiPadmeHum,"inhaleafterthefirstword.

41"Hum"inthefamousTibetanmantramstandsfortheheart,whereasthefirstword"OM"standsfortheinnerreality,theunseenpowerbehindallthings.

42GandhioftenprescribedthecontinuousrecitationofGod'sname.Buthealwaysemphasizedthatithadtobemorethanmerelipmovementithadtoabsorbthepractitioner'sentirebeingthroughouttheperiodofexerciseandeventhroughoutlife.Whilerepeatingtheword"God,"hehadtoconcentrateintenselyongodliness.

43Whentheincantatorywordsofamantrabyconstantpracticebecomefullyactivated,themantrabecomesfullyautomaticandcirclesroundandroundinsidetheheadortheheartjustlikearevolvingwheel.Atthisdeepstage,heisnotconcernedwithitstranslatedorverbalmeaningbutonlywiththekindofconsciousnessitproduces.Fornowitisnotamatterofwhatheisdoingbutofwhatisbeingdonetohim.Themantrahasbroughthimintoaregionofreleasedforceswhichareveryactiveinhim.

44Themantrammustbeclearlypronounced.Itsmeaningmustbedevotedly,evenreverently,felt.

45InSanskritmagicandmysticism,notonlyarecompletewordsandphrasesandevensentencesusedasmantrams,butalsocertainsinglelettersandsyllablesareused.Suchamantramiscalledaseed,anditcanbeusedeitherinwrittenformonpaperorinpronunciationasasound.Thelettersalsostandassymbolsrepresentingcertainangelicorotherhigherbeingswhoareinvoked.

46Mantram=Allah(Aloninbreath,lahonoutbreath)

47Thesemantramsarebroughtintorhythmicharmonywiththebreathingofthelungsorthebeatingoftheheartorthechantingofthephrase.

48Repeatedlysoundingthevowel"O"stimulatesthebonypartofthevoiceboxinthethroatandmentallyassistsattentiontoconcentrate.ThemantramOm,sowellknown,isausefulendingtoallothermantrams.Ontheexpiringbreath,veryslowlylengthenedout,itleavesaneffectwhichassiststhefulfilmentofthemeditationthatis,acalmingone.

49



Themasterofthemantrambecomesasymbolofhelp,towhichthebelieverscanturninthoughtatanytimeoratthespecialtimesetasideforit.

50Mantramicdenialsandaffirmationsshouldbeformulatedinasimpersonalawordingaspossible.Thiskeepsthereferencetoahigherpowerandawayfromtheego,withitsslenderresources.

51Itisgoodpracticetousethemantramontheintakeofbreath,whendoingrhythmicbreathing.Deepbreathingforuseinrhythmicbreathingshouldbewithlateralexpansionofchest.

52AstoryistoldofJowett,athinkerandamanofGod,thefamousandbrilliantOxfordUniversitytranslatorofPlato'sGreek,thatevenduringconversationswithothershewould,whilekeepingsilentandlisteningtothem,movehislipscontinuouslyinprayer.HewaspractisingaChristianformofmantram.

53Ithasdoneitsdutyandserveditspurposeiftheinvocationoraffirmationceasesofitselfandintheensuingsilenceamysteriouspowerrisesandtakespossessionofhim.

54MantrainSanskritmeanshymn,prayer,invocation,formulaformagic,secret,charm,linesofprayertoadivinity.ItissomethingthatcreateslovingdevotiontoGod.Themantrautteredandthedivinitycalleduponareidentical.Hencethereverenceforitandtheimportanceofitsbeingcorrectlyspoken,andthedangerofitsbeingmisusedforselfishpurpose.Itshouldnotbespoken,butsung.

55Amantramdependsforitseffectnotonlyuponrepetition(whichbringsaboutconcentratedattention)butalsoonitssound(whichbringsaboutasubtlermentalcontact).Thelattermaybelowerpsychicorhigherspiritual,accordingtothewordused.Thisisimportanttorememberforthoughanyoneoftheseeffectsjustifiescallingthewordorphraseamantram,bothincombinationprovideitwiththefullestpowerandthecompletefunction.

56AMoroccanmantricdervishdance:Acoupleofhundredmenyoungandoldwerearrangedinalargecircle.Whentheleader,whowassquattinginthecentre,gaveasignal,theyallleaptupandyelled,"Allah!"together,swayingfromsidetoside,stampingtheirfeet,andrepeatingthenameoftheirGoddozensoftimesuntiltheybecamedeliriouswithjoyandabsorbedintoahalftrancelikestate.

57NicephorostheSolitarywrote:"Weknowfromexperiencethatifyoukeeponprayinginthismanner,thatifyoupractisethe`PrayerofJesus'withattention,thewholehostofvirtueswillcometoyou:love,joy,andpeace."

58Becausethemutteringoftheseejaculationsandthechantingoftheseincantationshavebeenpervertedintouseaspartofthetechniquesofprofessionalwitchdoctorsandprimitivemedicinemen,isnoreasonwhytheirproperuseforhigherpurposesmaynotbeachieved.



59TheArabicwordforGodAllahortheAramaic(Jesus'spokenlanguage)wordAlahaformexcellentmantricmaterial.

60Theendlessrepetitionofthesamewordisamostimportantfeatureofthepractice,forwhenithaspassedthroughthemindathousandtimesinlessthanaday,andthisforseveraldays,intheenditbecomesfixedasapartofthebackgroundofallhisconsciousness.

61WhetherheusestheHinduonesyllabledOmforsuchrepetitionortheMuhammedantwosyllabledAllahforthesamepurpose,theresultswillbethesame.

62Muhammed:"ThereisnoactwhichremovesthepunishmentofAllahfartherfromyouthantheinvocationofAllah'sname."

63Themantramisameansofawakeningthepowerofconcentration.Butallmantramsdifferfromoneanotherandthusintroduceasecondaryeffectorinfluence.Themeditationistheprimarywork,theconcentrationbeingintendedtodeveloppowerforit:theformofthemantramisshapedbyitsobjectcommunionwithGod,cultivationofavirtue,andsoon.

64Atimecomeswhenthereisnoneedtotrytopractisetheexercise,forthemantramwellsupofitsownaccord.Itthenrepeatsitselfautomaticallyandsilentlyinhismindalone.Overandoveragain,likethechorusofasong,itcomestothefrontorremainsatthebackofattention.

65BhagatSinghThind:"Negationhastobenullified,youcannottakesinintoGod,butyoucantakeGodintosin,andshortworkHewillmakeofit,ifyoudo.Ifyouareinthehabitofdoingsomethingthatyouknowisfoolish,andyoucannotshakeitoff,takeaChristintoit,holdHisNameofTruthintheveryheartofit,daretosaytheWordofLife,evenwhenyouaredoingthefoolishthing.Forthatistheverytimewhenyoumostneedit,thatisthemomentwhenyoucantestitspower.Onlysticktoit,repeatingitwithyourwholeheartandmind,holdfasttotheNameofyourDivineSelfdoggedlythroughanythingandeverything,lettingnooldfeelingofcondemnationsweepitoutofyourmind,buthangontoitbyyoureyelids,ifyouaredrowneduptothat,andyouwillfindTruthwillsetyoufree."

66Tosomeextent,itsusehasapurifyingeffectonthesubconsciouscharacter.

67Thechosenphraseorselectedwordshouldbedweltuponagainandagainuntilitisfirmlyimplantedintheeverreceptivesubconsciousmind.

68TheAsiaticmysticsaptlynamethem"wordsofpower."Theybelievethat,ifintonedcorrectly,theyhelptokeepawaythebaserinfluencesandtostimulatethefinerones.Theeffectistemporary,ofcourse,butbyconstantrepetitionitmaybecomepermanent.

69



MantrampracticewasgiventoIndianstohelpstopthoughtfromwandering,justasKoanpracticewasgiventoJapanesetohelpstopthoughtfromdominating.TheKoanmethodcrippledorevenparalysedtheintellectbutthiswasonlyinitsapproachtothespiritualgoal,notinitsworldlybusiness.

70Thosewhoareunwillingtoengagethemselvesinthemetaphysicalstudiesandmysticalpracticesmayavailthemselvesofthedevotionalattitudesanddailyreverentialworshipofreligion,orrepeatconstantlytheaffirmationsanddeclarationsofmantrayoga.

71Asinglewordlike"God"orasimplephraselike"Godinme"mustbespokenwiththelipswithoutintermission,orrepeatedinthemindwithintensiveconcentration.

72Themurmuringofsuchaphraseoverandoveragainisausefuldevicetoconcentratethementalwavesandtoturnthemintoaspiritualdirection.

73Gandhi:"PersevereandceaselesslyrepeatRamanamaduringallyourwakinghours.Ultimatelyitwillremainwithyouevenduringyoursleep."

74ItisthecommonpracticeinalltheBengalidistrictsofIndiaaswellasinpartsoftheMahrattadistrictsforlargegroupsofpeople,aswellassolitaryindividuals,toengageintheprotractedchantingofGod'snameorsomephraseincorporatingit.ThementallevelonwhichitisdoneislikethatofhymnsingingintheWest.

75TheMasterTaoCh'o:"Say,withoutinterruptionandwithoutanyotherthought,theBuddha'sname,andyouwillenterthepresenceofBuddha."

76Amantraisbestandmostcommonlymuttered,butbeginnerssingitaloud,whiletheadvancedrepeatitmentallyandautomatically.

77Itislikearefrainthatkeepsonsingingintheheart.

78Therepetitiousrhythmofamantramcan,withassiduouspractice,becomealmosthallucinating.

79Hemaymutterthemantramtohimself,movinghislipsinanalmostunhearablewhisper.

80Hemustharnesshimselftothemainthoughtagainandagain.Hemustresolutelykeepthemantramachainedcaptive.

81Themantraismentallyorvocallychantedsomanytimesthatthemindisbrainwashed:itcanresistnolongerandfromthenonthephrasekeepsrevolvingbyitselfoverandoveragaininconsciousness.

82Itisclaimedthatordinarymethodsinvolveconsciousdeliberatethinkingbutthemantra



methodofmeditationdoesnot.Itbypassesthemallanddirectlyreachesthoughtfreestillness.

83Onlyexperienceandusecanshowitsworthinrhythmicallydirectingawarenesstoacertainfixedpoint,andkeepingitthere.Theword,phrase,name,invocation,sentence,orimageprovideshimwithacertainpowerofconcentration.

84Thewordsoftheinvocationstabilizeattentionandsteadyemotion.Theyholdthemindindesiredstates.

85Heusesthemantricrepetitiontoworkhimselfintothestateofraptconcentrationandthentofeelhiswayintotheinnerself'spresence.

86Itisusefultofollowoutthemantramsystemofmeditationwhentheordinarysystems,involvingsetexercisesandformalperiods,havebeentriedandfoundprofitless.

87BhagatSinghThind:"TheconstantutteranceofHolyNamewithouttheagencyoflipsbySpiritcurrentdevelopsconcentration.TheHolyNamethatistaughthasresemblancetotheSoundorcurrentemanatingfromthenervecentrewherethepracticeistobeperformed.ThisnervecentreisthefocusoftheDeity.YourconstantrepetitionwillonedayresultincreatingharmonywiththevibrationsinsideandbringyouintoaconditionofconcordwiththeDeitytherein.YouwillthenbeabletoparticipateintheessenceofHim,andthatwillprepareyouforfurtherprogress."

88However,prayermustbemasteredfirst.This,initspurestform,iscompletestillnessofspeech,thought,andbody.Onethoughtalonemustrepeatitselfagainandagain,suchas,"Godiswithinme,"anditwilldriveawayallotherthoughts.Incidentally,thisisMantrayoga.

NoteacherisneededforMantrayogabecauseyouhavetodoityourself.Noristhereanydanger.Afterthe2045minutes'distraction,meditationmaythencomeinamoment.

89BhagatSinghThind,SikhTeacher:"WiththeeyesofMindthediscipleseestheimageoftheguru,withtheearshelistenstotheHolyNameswithin,andwiththespeechofthemindinaudiblyherepeatsrhythmicallytheHolyMantramsgiventohimbytheguru.Bythisconstantdailypracticehemovestoaningatheringofhiswholebeingtowardsintegrationandunity."

90Thetimemaycomethroughpracticeandeffortwhenhewillbeabletomeetaperiodoftroubleoranxietymorecalmlybyhummingslowlyandrepeatedlythefamiliarformula.

91Mantram=HolyWord,theMystical.Affirmation=SacredInvocation

92HewhosuffersfromincessantmentalactivitycouldharnessitandturnittoprofitbyMantrayoga,whichsolvestheproblem:"Howtotransferattentionfromforegroundtobackgroundofmindandyetattendtowork?"



93ThevenerableheavilybeardedFatherJoseph,ofMountAthos,ateacherofothermonks,claimsthatthe"PrayerofJesus"becomeswithtimeanunstoppingactivity,productiveofenlighteningrevelation,andpurifyingfrompassions.Hisowndisciplesspendseveralhourseverydayonthementalrepetitionofthisshortprayer.

94Theconstantrecitalofthemantramisasimpleeffectiveexercisebutitcannot,byitself,winthehighestgoal.

95Therearemanywaysofmeditation,andthepracticeofmantramisoneofthemindeed,almostthemostelementaryoneofthem.Yetitisusefulonitslevel.Butoneshouldnotremainforeveronthatelementarylevel.Youmaygoonrepeatingtheword,thephrase,butatimewillcomewhenitwillloseitspowertohelpyou,whenitseffectswillvanishanditsverypracticewillbecomeboring.Useitasastepnotasastop.

96Manyofthepeopleusingthismethodareaslikelytoachievespiritualilluminationbytheirbabblingofmantramsasadonkeyisbyhisbrayingofnoises.

Affirmations

97WhatIndianscallmantraiswhatNewThoughtcallsaffirmations.

98Whenallothermethodsofmeditationprovefruitlessortoohard,lethimtrythesimplestofallmethodstheSpiritualDeclarationandbringwordstohishelp.Theymaybereducedtoasingleonethenameofhisspiritualleader,orofamoralqualitytowardswhichheaspires,orofaninnerstatewhichheseekstoachieve.Ofthefirstkind,aspecimenisthename"Jesus"ofthesecond,"Love"ofthethird,"Peace."Orafewwordsmaybecombinedintothephrasingofanyhelpfulstatement,metaphysical/mysticalaffirmation,ordevotionalprayer.

99TheDeclarationisaword,statement,orverse,affirmationorinvocation,whichiscommittedtomemoryandthenoftenrepeated.Thepurposeistwofold:first,toachieveastateofconcentrationsecond,todirecttheconcentrativemindupontheideatobeexpressed,soconstantlyorcontinuouslythattheideabeginstoinfluencehimdeeplyandalmosthypnotically.

100Affirmationsareoftwokinds:thoseforuseinmeditationandthoseforconstantrepetitionaloud,whispered,orsilently.

101Thesedividethemselvesnaturallyintotwomaingroups:thosebelongingtotheLongPathandthosetotheShortPath.Ofthefirstkind,thereisCove'sfamoussuggestion:"Everyday,ineveryway,Iamgettingbetterandbetter."OfthesecondkindthereisJesus'figurativestatement:"IandmyFatherareone."

102(a)Bothaffirmationsanddenialshavetheirplaceandusefulness.Philosophy,being



integral,rejectsneither.Thefirstwouldseemillusoryiftheyaffirmwhatistrueonlyonahigherlevelofbeingwhilethepersonhimselfisunabletoriseabovethelowerone,asinthestatement,"Iamdivine."Butstill,theirconcentrativeandsuggestivepowermay,givenenoughtime,eventuallyhelphimtodoso.Thesecondwouldseemnonsensicalatworstindismissingwhatstubbornlyremainsallthetime,ornarcoticatbestinlullingitintobriefquietude,yettheBuddhadidnothesitatetorecommenddenialstohisdisciples:"ThisisnotminethisamInot,"wasoneformulawhichhegavethem.Foreventhetheoreticalseparationthusbroughtaboutbetweenthemanandtheweaknessorfaultdeniedhassomeconstructivevalueandisthebeginningofamentalemotionalphysicalserieswhoseintuitionguidedtotaleffortleadstoasuccessfulresult.

(b)TheDeclarationhabituallyrepeatedandfaithfullyappliedcontinuallyrenewstheIdealforhim.

(c)Itisapracticeusefulforfillingunoccupiedmoments.

103Theaffirmationistobefirmlyheldandunwaveringlytrusted.Heisnottoconsideritasastatementofafaroffidealbutofapresentactuality.Heistoidentifyhimselfwithitwithallhisbeing.

104Theaffirmationcanevenbereducedtoasingleword.Thismakesiteasiertouse,andconcentratedineffect.SuchsimplicityismoreakintotheOverselfthantotheintellectthereforethistypeofaffirmationshouldnotbedweltonanalytically,notexaminedandprobedwithalogicalscalpel,butmerelyheldclosely,repeatedslowlyandfrequentlyuntilthemindissaturatedwithit.Itmaybeusedbothinsideandoutsidethespecialmeditationperiods.Inthelattercase,itisdefensiveagainstattackfromlowerthoughts.

105Thereisonehumanactivitywhichiscontinuous,rhythmic,natural,easy,andpleasant.Itisbreathing.Wemaytakeadvantageofitsexistencebycombiningitwithasimpleexercisetobringaboutakindofmeditationwhichwillpossessallthesefourmentionedattributes.Theexerciseismerelytorepeatonewordsilentlyontheinhalationandanotherwordontheexhalation.Thetwowordsmustbesuchthattheyjointogethertomakeasuitablespiritualphraseorname.Hereisoneusefulexample:"GodIs."

106"IampoisedintheConsciousnessofTruth."Repeatitaudibly,thencarryitintotheSilence.

107TheBuddhataughthismonkstoenterdailyintothefollowingmeditation:"Asamotherevenattheriskofherownlifeprotectsheronlyson,soletamancultivategoodwillwithoutmeasureamongallbeings.Lethimsuffusethewholeworldwiththoughtsoflove,unmixedwithanysenseofdifferenceoropposedinterests."

108Thethoughtthusselfgivenwillbecometransformedintoanact.

109Thedeclarationshouldbeaudiblyrepeatedifheisalone,silentlyifnot,oraudiblyafewtimesfollowedbysilentlyforsomeminutes.

110Atafixedtimeeachdayrepeatthedeclarationforfiveortenminutes.



111TheeffectivenessofaDeclarationdependsalsouponitsbeingrepeatedwithawholemindandanundividedheart,withconfidenceinitspower,andsinceredesiretoriseup.

112Declarations:

1."IambecomingasfreefromundesirabletraitsinmyeverydayselfasIalreadyamintheOverself."

2."InmyrealbeingIamstrong,happy,andserene."

3."Iamthemasterofthought,feeling,andbody."

4."InfinitePower,sustainme!InfiniteWisdom,enlightenme.InfiniteLove,ennobleme."

5."MyWordsaretruthfulandpowerfulexpressions."

6."Iseemyselfmovingtowardthemasteryofself."

7."MayIcooperatemoreandmorewiththeOverself.MayIdoitswillintelligentlyandobediently."

8."Icooperatejoyouslywiththehigherpurposeofmylife."

9."O!Infinitestrengthwithinme."

10."O!IndwellingLight,guidemetothewisesolutionofmyproblem."

11."IamInfinitePeace!"

12."IamonewiththeundyingOverself."

13."Everypartofmybodyisinperfecthealtheveryorganofitinperfectfunction."

14."Inmyrealselflifeiseternal,wisdomisinfinite,beautyisimperishable,andpowerisinexhaustible.Myformaloneishumanformyessenceisdivine."

15."IamacentreoflifeintheDivineLife,ofintelligenceintheDivineIntelligence."

16."IneverysituationIkeepcalmandseekouttheIntuitivethatitmayleadme."

17."IlookbeyondthetroublesofthemomentintotheeternalreposeoftheOverself."

18."MystrengthisinobediencetotheOverself."

19."OInfiniteandimpersonalBliss!"

20."IamhappyintheOverself'sblissfulcalm."

21."GodiseversmilingonMe."

22."Godissmilingonme."

23."ThePeaceofGod."

24."IdwellintheOverself'scalm."



25."IsmilewiththeOverself'sbliss."

26."IdwellinInfinitepeace."

27."Iamaradiantandrevivifiedbeing.IexpressintheworldwhatIfeelinmybeing."

113Whatisnewerthananewdawningday?Whatachanceitoffersfortherenewingoflifetoo!AndhowbettertodothisthantotakeapositiveaffirmativeDeclarationlike,"IAmInfinitePeace!"asthefirstmorningthought,andtoholdit,andholdontoit,forthosefirstfewminuteswhichsettheday'skeynote?Then,whatevermatterstherewillbetoattend,orpressingweightydutiestobefulfilled,weshallcarryourpeaceintothemidstofthem.

114AfriendtoldmesomeyearsagoofaninterestingandusefulmethodofusingtheseDeclarationswhichhadbeentaughtherbyacelebratedholymanandmysticinhercountry,whenhegaveherthe"PrayerofJesus."ThisisaDeclarationwhichwaswidelyusedseveralhundredyearsagointheoldByzantinemonasteriesandevennowisusedtoalesserextentinBalkanandSlavonicmonasticcirclesinexactlythesamewayasinIndia.Themethodistoreducethenumberofwordsuseduntilitisbroughtdowntoasingleone.Thisreductionisachieved,ofcourse,quiteslowlyandduringaperiodcoveringseveralmonths.Inthisparticularinstance,therearesevenwordsinthePrayer:"LordJesusChrist,havemercyonme."Theyareallusedforthefirstfewweeks,thentheword"Christ"isomittedforthenextfewweeks.Thephraseisagainshortenedbydetachingfromit,afterafurtherperiodhaselapsed,theword"Lord."Then"have"istakenoutandsoonuntilonlyonewordisleft.TheDeclarationasfinallyandpermanentlyusedis"JesusJesusJesusJesus."ThismethodcanbeappliedtoalmostanyDeclaration.Theselectedlastwordshouldbeaname,ifaddressedtoGodortoaSpiritualLeader,or,ifthatisnotpartofit,adesiredquality.

115Theuseofshortstatements,oftenstrangelyworded,madebyamastertoadiscipleasameansofgettingtheflashofenlightenmentflourishedinChinaduringtheTangdynasty.ItwastakenuplaterbytheJapanese,amongwhomthemethod'soriginalname"kongan"changedslightlyto"koan."Despiteextravagantclaimsmadeforit,thesuccessfulpractisergotaglimpseonly,notapermanentandfullresult.Itisnotthesameas,andnottobeconfusedwith,themethodofmeditatinguponaffirmations,pithycondensedtruthstatements(calledMahavakyasinIndia)sincetheseopenlypossessameaningwhereaskoansareoftenillogicalandalwayspuzzling.

116Philosophyusesthesedeclarationsguardedlyanddoesnotapproveofsuchpotentiallydangerousonesas"IamGod!"or"IamonewithGod."Instead,itusesthemoreguardedoneslike"IaminGod"or"Godisinme,"andtheseonlyafterapreparationhaselapsedwithselfhumblingphraseslike"Iamnothing"and"Takemyego,swallowitup,OThouDivinity."Otherwisethetruthishalfunderstoodandmisused,whiletherelationbetweentheOverselfanditsshadowselfbecomesasourceofmischievousillusionandintellectualconfusion.

117Itisbettertochooseadeclarationwhichpertainstohisimmediateneedthanonewhichdoesnot.

118Anydeclarationbringsbeforethemindsomespecifictruthwhichitwantstorealize,but



thegreatestone,andthemostpowerfulandcreativeone,isthatwhichaffirmsthedivinityofitsinnermostnature,thepresenceofGodinsideitsownbeing.

119Anaffirmationwhichproclaimsaspiritualreality,mayseemtobecontradictedbyouterfacts.

120Deepwithinhimthereisanopeningouttotheinfinitebeing.Howthisopeningisactuallyeffected,noonereallyknows.Onemomentheishere,thenextmomentheisthere.Itisthenthatthesespiritualdeclarationsbecomeperfectlytrue,completelyinaccordwithfact.

121Hemustdeliberatelyejecteachnegativethoughtasitarises.Theeasierwaytodothisisimmediatelytoreplaceitbya"SpiritualDeclaration"ofanaffirmativenature.Thisisquickerthanandnotsohardastryingtousewillpoweralonetogetridofthenegativethought.

122ThebestofalldeclarationsistheonewhichrepresentseithertheSupremePowerorelsethehumanleaderwhomostinspiresustothinkofthatPower.Wecannotgohigherinthoughtorcomecloserinawareness.WhatevernamewehabituallygivetothisUniquePower,beitTruthorReality,AllahorJehovah,thatisthewordtouseasourDeclarationunlesstheleader'snamehelpsusmore.

123Ifhehabituallysuffersfromacertainmood,orifhemaybethevictimofitatthemoment,itwillbeusefultochooseaDeclarationwhichaffirmstheoppositemood.Indespondency,forexample,hemayfindcheeringandupholdingsentencesforrepetitioninoneofthePsalms.

124Thesymbolordeclarationmustbeonetowhichhecancompletelygivehimself,ifallitseffectivenessistoberealized.

125Itisuselesstosaytoyourselfwhatyoucannotbringyourmindtobelieve,toaffirminyourmeditationwhatyourheartcannotpossiblyaccept.Donottrytoviolatelawsthatyoutrustbybeliefsthatarecontrarytothem.Insteadofprofitableresults,youwillgenerateinnerconflicts.Ifyouraffirmationisnotinharmonywiththeorderoftheuniverse,withthepossibilitiesandprinciplesofhumanexistence,youwillnotsucceedinitsuse.

126Ifanydeclarationseemsunnaturalandartificialandimpossibleinrelationtooneself,itoughttobeabandoneduntilithasbeenpassedthroughaprolongedthinkingoutprocess.

127Ifnoattemptismadetogainunderstandingof,aswellasgivefeelingto,theseutterances,repeatingadeclarationmaybecomeartificialandmakinganaffirmationmaybecomemechanical.

128Heshouldclosehiseyes,repeatthephraseslowlyseveraltimes,andtrytopenetrateeverdeeperintoitsmeaningwitheachrepetition.



129ThepracticeoftheseDeclarationsisadevicetorecalltothememoryofthemanhisperfectandidealstatewhichhenotonlyhastoretainbutwhichinhisOverselfhealreadyis.Thisisameansofrecallinghimfromtheperipheryoflifetohiscentre.

130Eachstirringoftheoldweaknessesmustbetreatedasacommandtonewefforts.Buttheseshallbetowardrecollectionof,andidentificationwith,theOverselfnotnecessarilytowarddirectstrugglewiththem.Intheseefforts,lethimreiterateaspiritualdeclarationholdingtothethoughtbehinditwiththedeepestintensity.Thesilentwordmustbecomethisspiritualwarrior'ssword.

131Hedoesnotneedtopractisethedeclarationsinaconspicuousmanner,ordrawtheattentionofotherstowhatheisdoing.Instead,workingquietly,hecanandshouldletitremainasecretbetweentheOverselfandhimself.

132Asinglewordnamingsomedivineattributeorhumanidealisanothergoodfocusforaconcentrationexercise.Itshouldbeslowlybutsilentlyrepeatedtooneselfatcertainintervalswhilstitssignificanceshouldbeheldallthetimeinthemind.Everyotherideashouldbekeptout.Wordswhicharesuitabletoperformthisofficemaybesafelylefttotheaspirant'stasteandmoodofthemoment.Hereareinstances:reality,truth,love,being,illusion,goodness,pity,purity,andpeace.

Inthisexercise,herepeatsmentallyandslowlyoverandoveragainasignificantkeywordlike"Reality"orapithyformulalike"Inmyhigherbeing,Iambeyondweaknessandsin."

Incessantrepetitionofabriefmysticformula,ashortholyphrase,willkeepoutallotherthoughtsandultimatelyevenlapseitself.Themindwillthenfallintostillness,theheartbeinundatedwithquiet.

133Beforeattendinganyintervieworgroupmeeting,aswellasduringtheattendanceitself,ifaclashofwillsistobeexpectedorsometroubleistobefearedorsomefavouristoberequested,silentlypractisemantricaffirmationssuchas:"AllGoodiswithme,"or"TheInfinitePowerismyperfectsupply,"or"PerfectHarmonyisinme."

134Thewaytousetheseaffirmationsdiffersfromonetotheother,accordingtoitsnatureandpurpose.Forexample,anaffirmationofcalmnessandpeaceneedsadifferentapproachmentally,emotionally,andevenphysicallyfromoneofpowerandstrength.

135Thegeneralruleforusingtheseaffirmationsisfirsttositcomfortablyandrelaxthebodyineveryway.Thenslowlyrepeattheselectedwordsforafewminutes.Layholdintenselyontheirmeaning.Thepracticemaybedoneagainintheeveningwithanotherorwiththesameaffirmation.

136Ofallaffirmations,thestudentwhohasevolvedtothehigherstagesofdevelopmentwillselectthosethatconcerntheimpersonalratherthanthepersonalself.Thesearetheultimatetruths,theconclusiveformulaeofphilosophysuchas:"MindistheReal,"or"TheEgoisillusory,"wherethemindcalmlyrestsonthefinalpositiontobeattained.



137Thestudentwhotakesoneofthesesentencesfromapieceofinspiredwritingisseekingtoreproduceinhisownfeelingsandthoughtstheinnerconditionwhichgaveitbirth.Ashepondersoverthephrase,heshouldnotonlyseektodistilleverybitofmeaningfromit,butalsolethisinnerbeingpassivelyreceivethatmeaningbyotherthanlogicalways.Thiswiderconcentrationuponitmaygraduallyopenupitscontent.Nevertheless,ifhereturnstoitalongtimelaterperhapsafterayearortwohemaypenetrateabruptlyandunexpectedlytoastilldeeperlayerofmeaningandwiththatexperiencethejoyofnewrevelation.

138Selectanyphrase,sentence,orevensinglewordwhichmakesmostappealtoyouandpertainstothegoal,ideal,orqualityyouwishtodevelop.Itmaybetakenfromabook(ifinspired)oryoumayconstructityourself.Examplesare:Iaminfinitepeace:harmonyharmonyharmony.ThisSpiritual"Declaration"istoberepeatedasoftenduringtheentiredayasyouremembertodososilentlyandmentallywhenoutorwithothers,whisperedtoyourselfwhenaloneandinyourownroom.Thismeansthattheremaybedozensofrepetitionsinoneday.Itisparticularlytobepractisedwhenanyprovocationortemptationarises.Afterthefirstfewweeksthehabitshouldbecomeautomatic,whenyoumaytrytomakeitasilentoneatalltimes.

Youmay,ifyouprefer,useasthethemeforconcentrationthenameofyourSpiritualLeader:"JesusJesusJesus,"forexample.Thisexercisemustbedoneveryslowly,thephrasemustbelongdrawnout,and,intheearlystages,themeaningponderedon.

139Eachaffirmationhedecidestoacceptshouldbeusedregularlyforaperiodoftwentyonedaysbeforechangingtoanotherone.

140Affirmtruth,andletothersdenyfalsehood.

141Itwilldoubletheefficacyofthisexerciseifitispractisedatthesametimeasandunitedwiththeregularcyclesofbreathingactivity.Whenthetwoareasone,muchgreaterpowerentersintothedeclarationorinvocation.

142Thevalueofthesedeclarationsandaffirmations,theseideasheldandrepeated,isnotatotalone.Themethodtheyuseisonlyafirststepandaneasystep.Itisnotaselfsufficientmethod.

143Icallitparadoxicalthinkingasopposedtologicalthinking."Iaminfinitebeing"isadeclarationwhichdoesnotfitintothelogicofconventionalexperience.

144Tothinkonlyandcompletelyofthistruthattheverymomentwhentheego'svoiceorpassion'sdemandisloudest,isanecessarystepforward.

145InthebeginningofeachsessionitwillassistthenovicetoconcentrateifhewillsaytheDeclarationseveraltimeswithhislips.

146Whenthisdelicateintuitivefeelingisverbalizedintoanintellectualstatementintheform



ofaSpiritualDeclaration,thelattermayhelptoawakenanechoingfeelingintheheartofonewhousesit.

147ThewordsshouldbedescriptiveofsomeattributeoftheOverselforsomequalityofitsnature.TheyshouldalsoseparatetheaspirantfromhislowertendenciesoregoandidentifyhimwiththeOverself.

148ThepracticaltechnicaluseofDeclarationsbelongsonlytotheelementaryorintermediatestagesofthepath.Whentheirpurposeofremindingmanofhistrueselfisfulfilledbyeveryevent,everyhappening,everysituationinaman'slife,thenheissaidtohavereachedtheadvancedstageofmantrayoga.Atthisstage,thereisnothingtootrivialtoactasareminderofthehigherhelpfulnesstowhichtheQuestleads.Everythingcanthenbeacceptedaspresentedsymbolicallytothetraveller.

149ThedeclarationisalsousedinIndiatopurifyaplace,toupliftthemind,toinviteGrace,andtoabatesickness.

150Heistoremindhimselfconstantlyofthegreatertruths,whetherheisathomeinhisroomorabroadinthepublicplaces."BestillandknowthatIaminfinitepower"isonesuchtruth."BestillandknowthatIaminfinitejoy"isanother.

151Thesetruthsarenotmeremetaphysicalstatementsthatraisethedustofargument,butspiritualsignpostswhichguidemanintothetruewayoflife.

152Itisusefultoprepareandkeepalistofthesesilentdeclarationsandselectadifferentoneforuseduringaparticularperiod,whetheritbeasingledayorawholeweek.Itcanbechosentofittheparticularneedsofthatperiod,andtheexperienceswhichareexpectedordevelopedthen.

153Anaffirmationshouldbesomeeasilyseized,easilyheldphrase.Itistobesaidoverandoveragain.Itisessentialthatthefullestfaithshouldbegiventoitbythepersonusingit.

154"Iwilltrytoshowforthinmypersonallife,thought,andfeelingtheperfectharmonywhichalreadybelongstotheimpersonalOverselfwithinme."

155Lettheminddwellconstantlyonthesegreattruths.Letthehandwritethemdownandcarrytherecordforstudyatoddmoments.

156ADeclarationhascreativepoweronlyifthemindisfirmlyfixedonitsmeaningasitisrepeated.

157"ThedivineSelfinmemanifestsitselfincontentmentandstrength."

158Thedeclarationisasimpledeviceforachievingthreedifferentobjectivesatoneandthesametime.ItfacilitatesthecontinuousremembranceoftheOverself.Itholdstheideal



andparadestheobjectivesofselfimprovementeverbeforeus.Itinspiresusasaformofconcentration,firstbykeepingusintouchwiththeOverselfandthenbygettingusultimatelyabsorbedinawarenessofit.

159Thepracticekeepsawayotherthoughtsiftheyareofabaserkind,yetitdoesnotkeepawaythosewhicharenecessarytocarryontheordinaryaffairsofeverydayliving.Thedeclarationstaysinthedeepplacesofthemindlikealittleislandofimmovablerock,whiletheagitatedwavesofpersonalactivitiesswirlaroundit.

160Lettheaffirmationriseintocentralconsciousnesseverymomentthatthemindisfreetoattendtoit.

161Whataffirmationshallheuse?Heshouldanalysehischaracterimpartiallyandcarefullyandlethisdecisionrestontherevelationofpositiveandnegativequalitiesthisanalysisaffordshim.

162Theymayalsobetheoppositeofaffirmationsthatis,theymaybedenials.Anexampleis:"Iwillnolongerexpressnegatives."

163Thesedeclarationscanbeformulatedinthefirstperson"Iameternal"orwithoutreferencetoanypersonatall"Godisinfinitebeing."

164Lethimcreatehisowndeclarationsordenials,tosuithisspecialneedsandindividualaspirations.

165Byaffirmingaparticularvirtue,heautomaticallyrepudiatesitsopposingevilquality.

166Theseaffirmationsaretaut,compactstatementsoftruths.

167Anaffirmationtakesageneralthought,idea,ideal,andturnsitintoapreciseone.Thishelpsthosewhocannotfindtheirwayamongabstractions.

168Herearesomeofthemoremetaphysicaldeclarationsformeditationaluse:(a)"YouaremeandIamyou"(b)"IWhoAm"(c)"WhatIhavebeen,Ishallbe"(d)"HeWhoIs."

169Thekindofthinkingwhichmakesupthecontentofyourmind,influencesalways,andcreatessometimes,thekindoffortunewhichmakesupthecourseofyourlife.

170Someofthesedeclarationsarephrasedasautosuggestions,phrasedsoastohaveevocativeorcreativevalue.

171Suggestionfromothersandexpectancyfromhimselfifstrongenoughhelptoshapeinnerexperiences,buthisownworkisessential.



172Howmanyunacknowledgedsuggestionsdotheycarryaboutwiththem,aspartoftheirownnaturenowalthoughfirstputintotheirheadslongagobyothers?

173Onceheperceivesthistruth,hegoeshisownwayanddoesnotallowotherstomakehimavictimofsuggestion.

174ThereactionofhisenvironmenttohisdominantthoughtisascertainastheoperationofalawinNature.

175Tothedegreethatamanpractisesconstructivethinkingandharmoniousfeeling,tothatdegreewillhehelptodrawprogressiveeventsandhelpfulchancestohimself.

176Thosewhoarescepticalofthehigheroriginofthisphenomenon,whoassertittobetheworkofautosuggestion,thatitisofamindabletoimpressitsownimaginingsuponitselftosuchanextentthatitmistakesthemforrealities,arethemselvesguiltyofautosuggestion,fortheyhaveimpressedtheirscepticaltheoriestosuchanextentupontheirownmindsthatthereisnoreasonforanythingelsethanthesecomplexes.

177Ifthedominanttrendsofhisthoughtarebad,evil,ornegative,lethimcounteractthembyrepeatedly,persistently,andintenselydwellingontheiropposites.

178Intheearlystage,whenconcentrationisneeded,hewillsucceedbestbygivinghisattentionstrong,forciblecommands,bydirectinghismindtowardthechosentopicwithpositivephrases.

179TheChinesenameforthesemutteredorchantedincantationsisveryapt:"TrueWords."

180Assoonasthelightisputoutandyoupreparetosleep,giveacommandtothedeepermindtoworkontheproblemyoupresentitwith.Youmaystatetheproblemaloud.Then,whenyouwakeupinthemorning,lookforthesolutionbeforeyoudoanythingelse.

181Putintotheaffirmationalltheintensityandallthefervouratyourcommand.

182Thecallto"praywithoutceasing"whichPaulmade,therecommendationto"thinkofBuddha"whichtheLamasgive,andtheremembrancesofthenameofAllahwhichMuhammedanSufispractise,aredeclarations.

183JoyousnessisenjoinedinHinduUpanishadictexts.Itistobepractisedthroughselfsuggestions(Svabhutivakyas).

184Theseekerwillprofitduringhishoursofdistressordifficulty,whetherinwardoroutward,bypronouncingamantricaffirmationandthenmakinghisprayerofpetitioninageneralway.Aparticularthingshouldnotbeincludedintheprayer.Forexample,inthecaseofanenvironmentalwant,theaffirmationcouldbe:"WithinmethereisallI



need."Thiskindofpetitionisafarhigherformofprayerandafarmoresuccessfulonethanthecommonbeggingforaspecificrelieforobjectorchange.

185Witheveryintervaloftimethatheisabletoget,howevershortitbeevenafewsecondsherepeatsamajesticwordlike"Peace,"oranevocativesentencelike"CastthyburdenonmybackandIshallgiveyoupeace."

186Theaffirmationisusedinthreedifferentways.Itischantedaloud,mutteredorwhispered,silentlyandmentallyrepeated.

187Whenanaffirmationisusedonlyinandformeditationexercises,itshouldbementallypronouncedasfirmlyandaspositivelyandasconfidentlyaspossible.Itshouldalsoberepeatedseveraltimes.Donotponderoveritsmeaningbutratherbecontentwithlettingeachwordsinkintothesubconsciousmind.

188Theinstantvigorousandcontinuedpracticeofadeclarationmaychangethestateofmindinafewminutesfromanegativeonethatisagitatedordepressedtoapositiveonethatisreposedorcheerful.

189Thereisanotherspecialvalueofthedeclaration,andthatisfoundduringthestrainsandstrugglesofliving.Ifestablishedpreviouslybyhabit,itwillbepresentandavailable,readytouseatanymomentofneedorcrisis.

190Thepowerofthedeclarationrisestoitsgreatestdegreewhenusedinmagicalrites,whenitissolemnlychantedbyasuitablyattiredpriestorwizard.

191Thewholeofhisconsciousnessistobewithdrawnintothedeclarationandtoremainwithinit,ifheissittinginsolitudeatformalregularmeditationatthespecialtime,butonlyapartofitifheisotherwiseengaged.

192Theseshort,specificstatements,usedpersistentlyasautosuggestions,areusefultoall.

193Heistolivewiththenameandqualitiesofhisidealeverbeforehim,forthepurposeofdrawinginspirationfromit.Heistorepeat,silentlyorvocally,ateverymomentwhenthereisabreakinwhateverhehappenstobedoing,andevenasoftenashecanduringtheactitself,aspiritualdeclaration.Suitablephrasesorsentencescanbefoundinhymns,bibles,proverbs,andpoems,andinthegreatinspiredwritingsofancientandmoderntimes.

194Thedeclarationmaybeintonedloudenoughtobeheardclearlybyhimselfbutbyothersonlyasamurmur.Thisisintendedtoinduceaconcentratedstate.

195TheyogiwhospendsyearsmechanicallymumblingtheaffirmationimpartedtohimbyhisteacherwillnotgetsofarastheWesternaspirantwhoselectshisowndeclarationandconscientiously,intelligently,workswithit.



196Thereisonecondition:thedeclarationmustnotbelongerthanasinglesentence,andeventhatoughttobeconfinedtolessthantenwords.

197TheSpiritualDeclarationistobecomehismagictalisman,tobeusedinprovocativesituations,irritatingenvironments,orunpleasantcontactswithunlikedpersons.

198Heshouldmaketheseaffirmationsfirmly,intensely,andconfidently.

199Thesepreciouswordsoughttobeprintedincapitallettersanddoublyunderlined.For,inaworldofpoliteliesandprejudicedstupidities,theyaretheTRUTH.

200Themorehecanputhislovingattentionintothedeclarationorbehindtheautosuggestion,themorearehischancesofbeinghelpedbytheOverself'sGrace.

201ASpanishfriend,whoputintohismysticismalltheardoursofhispeople,calledthispractice"innerwork."ThemonksofMountAthos,whousehundredsoftimesadaythesamedeclarationwhichtheRumanianmysticsused,callit"work."

202Inthislovingremembrance,thisturningofthemindthroughdevotiontoitsparentalsource,theQuestfindsoneofitsmosteffectivetechniques.

203SufiDeclaration:"IamtheTruth!"

204Equippedwiththisknowledgeandtheseexercises,theaspirantwillbeabletousewellthoseidleminuteswhichwouldotherwisebewasted.

205SimoneWeiltellshowthehighlyconcentratedrecitation,withallneededtenderfeeling,ofadevotionalmetaphysicalpoembytheseventeenthcenturyEnglishman,GeorgeHerbert,turnedherfromanagnosticintoamysticastheChristconsciousnesstookpossessionofher.Thisresultwasasunsoughtasitwasunexpected.

206Thesacreddeclarationsaretobehummedinsomecases,chantedinothers,orspokeninstillothers.

207Theseinspiredsentencesorphrasescanalsobeusedasamuletsagainsthisowndarkmoodsasstrongerhandstoholdontoduringdepressedmomentsorweakphases.

208Thepracticeseemstohaveahypnoticeffectonthemindandtodrawhimwithamagneticspelltotheideabehindthedeclaration,asthelatterisfrequentlyandsolemnlyrepeated.

209Itisfromthesedeclarationsthattheideawasderivedofmagicalincantationswhichweresupposedtobringaboutextraordinaryresults,forsomemenwereablebytheiraidto



induceatrancelikestatewhich,likethehypnoticstate,temporarilyreleasedparanormalpowersofmind.

210Standinfrontofamirrorandpronouncetheconstructiveautosuggestiveaffirmationswithdramatic,intensefeeling.

211Thesecretissimplicityitself.ItwaswrittendownbytheSufipoetShamsTabrizineightlittlewords:"KeepGodinremembrancetillselfisforgotten."Ifhekeepsthedeclarationhalfwhisperedonthetipofhistongueandjoyouslyfondledinhismind,itwillservehimwell.

212Anaffirmationfixesattentionandelevatesemotion:thisisitsprimarypurpose,butitmayalsoofferwisecounsel.

213InthefinerhomesofJapan,thereceptionroomwillcontainasilkorpaperscrollhanging,uponwhichsomemasterhasdrawn,incalligraphiccharacters,apithyandwiseaffirmation.

214Theseexercisescanusuallybepractisedwhereveramanhappenstobeand,often,whateverhehappenstobedoing.

215Thedeclarationcomesupfromthesubconsciousandgetsitselfutteredandrepeated.Theprocessofarticulationisapleasantone,sometimesevenanecstaticone.

216Bylearningtolivewiththedeclaration,evenifitseemedremote,fantastic,andimpossibleatfirst,itwillcometoevokeaveritableecstasyofacceptance.

217Thedeclarationsneedtobeponderedwithfaithandheldinthemindwithpersistenceiftheireffectivenessistobedemonstrated.

218Theexerciseisapowerfulcounterweighttotherestlessnatureofourthoughts.Itforcesthemtotakeanchorageinthedeclaration.

219Thispracticemakesitpossiblefortheotherwiserestlessmindtothinkofonethoughtandliveinonepurposeconstantly.Inthiswayitsteadiesthemindandkeepsitsattentionconcentrated.

220Thepracticealsohasapurifyingeffectsofarasitpreventstherisingofwrongthoughtsandhelpstheeradicationofthosewhichdoappear.

221TheformulacanbeselectedfromanupholdingPsalm,liketheninetyfirst,orfromtheBookofPrayer.

222OneofthegreatMahavakyasis"AyamAtmaBrahma""ThisAtmanisBrahman."



223Whenthesedeclarationsarechanted,Orientalsfindthemtohelpbreathcontrol,whichinturnhelpsmeditation.

224Abookwhichistrulyinspiredwillcontainmanyasentencethatcanbeusedsuggestivelyinmeditation.Lingeroversomeofthemaslongasyoucan.Itisnotmovementwhichmattersherebutdepth.

225Theeffectofusingaffirmationsandrecollectionsistotinthisnaturewithdivinerqualities.Theseworkuponandgraduallytransmutehislowerones.

226Whenheispractisedenough,hewillfindthatmeditationchargeshimwithaninwardglow.

227Whathemeetswithoutwardlyaswellasinwardlyonthisquestshouldbetestedagainsttheseaffirmationsandscrutinizedinthelightofthesetruths.

228ThisexercisecanbeusedwithsuccessonlyifthereistheutmostattractiontotheideaphrasedorthefullestlovefortheDivineNameorspiritualleadermentionedinit.Ifthefeelingisweak,theremembrancewillbefitfulandunsteady,thepracticewillonlybeoccasionalandhenceinsufficient.Ifthefeelingisstrong,themindwillbeabletoholdtheideaorthenamemoreeasilyandunbrokenly,forthenitislikethefeelingwhichexistsbetweenapairofseparatedyounglovers.Theyareabletoremembereachother'snameconstantly,toholdeachother'smentalpicturequitespontaneously.Theydonotneedtomakeanydeliberateeffortatall.

229Ashepersevereswiththispractice,theintervalswhenheforgetstorepeattheDeclarationgetfewerandfewerinnumber,shorterandshorterintime.Itsconstantutteranceorremembrancethenbecomesmoreandmorearealizableaspiration.

230Themomentanyactivityisatanend,hisattentionwillinstantlyreturntothedeclarationandcontinuetheinnerworkwithit.

231WhenhislastthoughtatnightandfirstthoughtinthemorningreferstotheOverself,hemayappraisehisprogressasexcellent.

TheNotebooksarecopyright19841989,ThePaulBruntonPhilosophicFoundation.

Documents

Mantrams, Affirmations - Notebooks of Paul Brunton