Healthy Living Through Yoga Wisdom: Mantra's Significance

“I dedicate the merits of my practice, to the spiritual liberation of all sentient Beings. And, through this merit may I quickly reach enlightenment, and lead all Beings without any exclusions to the same state of consciousness.” — Universal Yoga Mantra of Vajrayana

What is mantra and why is it important? The word "mantra" is derived from Sanskrit; "mana" meaning "mind" and "ntra" meaning "instrument" or "tool." In yoga, we use mantra as a tool to focus the mind, specifically through our sense of hearing.

While there are infinite mantra with infinite meanings, some of the ways in which mantra focus the hearing channel and thus the mind are the sound and vibrational qualities of a specific mantra, the mantra’s specific meaning and intent, and the practice of mantra repetition.

The practice of focusing our hearing and the mind is another doorway into which we can realize and achieve the true purpose of yoga — realization of the true Self.