Mantra & Mala Instructions - DestinationOM.com - Custom Malas

Learning proper posture for meditation

In this video we give instructions on how to determine the thickness of cushion you need as well as how to sit properly for meditation. Enjoy.

 

Goddess Mantra

(8:36) Given to me by a dear friend, this mantra has come from Guru to Disciple and then was offered to me in Ganeshpuri by Shivaratri (Shiva). He recommended that I share it with others, when asked if I could post it online he was happy with the idea so here it is.
Blessings,

Hum Sa Mantra on Wrist Mala

Om Namah Shivaya on Harmonium

Om Namah Shivaya (Bhupali Raga) on Harmonium.

Wrist mala - Slip knot instructions

This is to assist meditators using Destination OM malas and wrist malas. It shows how the slip knot of a wrist mala can be opened and closed.

SO HAM "I am That" mantra

(9:46) Among all the types of pranayama, the natural one is So'Ham. It is the greatest centering technique; through it comes the complete attainment of purnananda, perfect bliss.
Identification with unity arises by reflecting on the supreme state by merging into one's own Self with the awareness "I am That." Having this recognition of the Self is the basis for right identification.
- Swami Muktananda (Secret of the Siddhas)

Heart Sutra - Prajnaparamita translated

Four Elements of Meditation

(7:44) A talk on the effects of the four elements of nature on our meditations. What to expect as well as tips on what oils to use to cool and heat the body in meditation.

Pranayama - OM chanted

(5:48) Here I instruct the use of Pranayama in the chanting of OM (as AUM) and how the sound is meant to flow through the chakra channels as a cleanse. Hope this helps.

Click the YouTube below to watch.

Pranayama - OM MANI PADME HUNG chanted.

(7:12) Here I instruct the use of Pranayama as well as taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Using pranayama this is a chant reciting OM Mani Padme Hung.

Click on the centre of the YouTube to play

Vajrasattva Vows - 100 syllable mantra

(4:00) I chant an example of a lengthly mantra (100 syllables) from my meditation seat and show how to count on the mala. This is called the Vajrasattva Vow and is recited in the Vajrayana practice of Buddhism.

This mantra is called the Purification mantra and will help the meditator clear obstacles in practice, everyday life, and union with Vajrasattva and the divine.

Translation is as follows:
O Vajrasattva Samata
Please grant me your protection
O Vajrasattva reside (in me)
Reside firmly in me
Be pleased with me
Grow within me
Be Passionate towards me
Grant all the Siddhis
As well as (fulfillment of) all activities
Make my mind virtuous, hum!
The laughter of joy in the 4 boundless attitudes,
4 wangs, 4 joys, and 4 gayas (bodies)
Vajra of all the Tathagatas, do not abandon me.
Make me a vajra holder. O Great Samayasattva.
Ah!

Click centre of YouTube screen below to watch.

Instructions for Reciting Mantra using mala

(5:53) In this video I demonstrate the practice of the SO HUM mantra and advise on how to count using each bead as well as how to treat the guru bead in practice.

CLICK on the middle of the YouTube screen below to watch the video.

Instructional Video for wearing wrist malas

Download DSCN0259.MOV (2:00 - 32.2MB) This will likely take two minutes or a little more depending on your connection. Although large it covers what is needed to understand how the slip knot works. Thank you for your patience.

If you download QuickTime Player then you will be able to watch this instructional video (with voice over and music) on how the slip knot works. This same slip knot is built into each mala and works the same.

**Click BACK on the browser when you are done watching the video to return to this page.

Counting and Fingering of Mala

There are two schools of thought when it comes to the hand positioning of counting...there is the most common way with the mala over your index finger, then there is the other with your mala over the middle finger.

I was taught to use to mala over the middle finger because the index is considered the ego...and to involve the ego in your recitations would be fruitless. The thumb is the master.

When the index finger (ego) bows to the master (thumb) it is in the shape of the "perfect" symbol or "okay" ... the two fingers make a circle and the other three are spead out. The other form of us saying okay is the "thumbs up"...the recognition of the master.

In counting you go up one side of the bead to the point where your thumb meets the first knuckle, then you proceed down the other side until the tip of your thumb meets the end of the bead that meets the thread and the next bead...mantras are to be recited in a fashion that is rhythmic and thus the fingering of your mala will become rhythmic as well.

A great mantra to use for a beginner learning to focus on the breathe is the hum-sa or so-hum mantra (Phonetic translation in Hindi is so-Ham and Ham-sah meaning I am He, He is I...In this mantra "I" refers to atman and "He" refers to Brahman. Thus the mantra affirms that the atman and Brahman are one and the same; an individual is the atman wrapped up in a physical body).

As you rise up the bead you inhale while saying HUM (this is taking in the sadness and darkness of the world) and proceeding down the bead you exhale saying SA (releasing love, light, and blessings to all). In introductory practices of loving-kindness you first learn to focus on yourself, then project to a loved one, then to your entire family, then to someone your dislike, then to your town, city, community, country, globe, universe...until you are able to feel your love and kindness glow with intensity and intention.

SO-HUM

There are two schools of thought when it comes to the hand positioning of counting...there is the most common way with the mala over your index finger, then there is the other with your mala over the middle finger.

I was taught to use to mala over the middle finger because the index is considered the ego...and to involve the ego in your recitations would be fruitless. The thumb is the master.

When the index finger (ego) bows to the master (thumb) it is in the shape of the "perfect" symbol or "okay" ... the two fingers make a circle and the other three are spead out. The other form of us saying okay is the "thumbs up"...the recognition of the master.

In counting you go up one side of the bead to the point where your thumb meets the first knuckle, then you proceed down the other side until the tip of your thumb meets the end of the bead that meets the thread and the next bead...mantras are to be recited in a fashion that is rhythmic and thus the fingering of your mala will become rhythmic as well.

A great mantra to use for a beginner learning to focus on the breathe is the hum-sa or so-hum mantra (Phonetic translation in Hindi is so-Ham and Ham-sah meaning I am He, He is I...In this mantra "I" refers to atman and "He" refers to Brahman. Thus the mantra affirms that the atman and Brahman are one and the same; an individual is the atman wrapped up in a physical body).

As you rise up the bead you inhale while saying HUM (this is taking in the sadness and darkness of the world) and proceeding down the bead you exhale saying SA (releasing love, light, and blessings to all). In introductory practices of loving-kindness you first learn to focus on yourself, then project to a loved one, then to your entire family, then to someone your dislike, then to your town, city, community, country, globe, universe...until you are able to feel your love and kindness glow with intensity and intention.

SO-HUM

There are two schools of thought when it comes to the hand positioning of counting...there is the most common way with the mala over your index finger, then there is the other with your mala over the middle finger.

I was taught to use to mala over the middle finger because the index is considered the ego...and to involve the ego in your recitations would be fruitless. The thumb is the master.

When the index finger (ego) bows to the master (thumb) it is in the shape of the "perfect" symbol or "okay" ... the two fingers make a circle and the other three are spead out. The other form of us saying okay is the "thumbs up"...the recognition of the master.

In counting you go up one side of the bead to the point where your thumb meets the first knuckle, then you proceed down the other side until the tip of your thumb meets the end of the bead that meets the thread and the next bead...mantras are to be recited in a fashion that is rhythmic and thus the fingering of your mala will become rhythmic as well.

A great mantra to use for a beginner learning to focus on the breathe is the hum-sa or so-hum mantra (Phonetic translation in Hindi is so-Ham and Ham-sah meaning I am He, He is I...In this mantra "I" refers to atman and "He" refers to Brahman. Thus the mantra affirms that the atman and Brahman are one and the same; an individual is the atman wrapped up in a physical body).

As you rise up the bead you inhale while saying HUM (this is taking in the sadness and darkness of the world) and proceeding down the bead you exhale saying SA (releasing love, light, and blessings to all). In introductory practices of loving-kindness you first learn to focus on yourself, then project to a loved one, then to your entire family, then to someone your dislike, then to your town, city, community, country, globe, universe...until you are able to feel your love and kindness glow with intensity and intention.

SO-HUM