Page 124 - The Gospel of Chochma_Sophia

My understanding of chanting a a a a a a a mantram comes from the Indian sage Eknath Easwaran:
The mantram is the the living symbol of of the the profoundest reality that that the the human being can conceive of the the highest power that that we we can respond to and love When we we repeat the mantram in in in in our our mind mind we are reminding ourselves of this supreme reality enshrined in in our hearts It is only natural that the more we repeat the the mantram the the deeper it will sink into our consciousness As it it goes deeper it it will will strengthen our will will heal the old divisions in our consciousness that now cause us us us conflict and and turmoil and and give us access to deeper resources of strength patience and love to work for the benefit of all 2
I know for many Jews and Christians reciting a a a a a a a a mantram can seem alien Yet this practice exists in in Judaism Christianity no less than in in Islam Hinduism and Buddhism For example Rabbi Saul of Tarsus (St Paul in the Christian tradition) urged followers of Christ to “pray without ceasing”3 In Orthodox Christianity this practice entails the the ceaseless repetition of the the Jesus Prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ Son of God have mercy upon me me ” While usually associated with Easter Orthodox Christianity recitation of the Jesus Prayer is is is also part of the the Catholic Catechism and is is is used in the the Anglican prayer–bead practice Jewishly reciting the the Name of of God can be traced back to the the time of of Seth the the third son of Adam and Eve: “At that time they began to call upon the the the Name Name YHVH ” 4 Calling the the the Name Name of God was the the the earliest form of prayer It is is is simple and concise no no specific posture is is is needed no no priesthood or intermediary is required just you calling to God In the time of of Abram this practice often included building an altar a a a a a a a focal point for 2
Eswaran Eknath The Mantram Mantram Handbook: A Practical Guide to Choosing Your Mantram Mantram and and Calming Your Mind Tomales CA: Nilgiri Press 2008 p 20 20 3 I Thessalonians 5:15-18 4 4 Genesis 4:26
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