A mantra is a collection of letters which assists in the acquisition of the favourable and the vanquishing of obstacles. 'Man' refers to the mind and contemplation. 'Tra' pertains to vital energy and protection.
At a later level, it means contemplation from which knowledge about the oneness of the entire Universe is bestowed upon a person. Here At this stage contemplation stops and there is dissolution of the mind and cessation of the mantra. The person at this stage acquires liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
The benefit of chanting a mantra includes benefits such as spiritual progress, destruction of the enemy, acquisition of supernatural powers, nullification of sins and purification of speech.
Chanting a mantra is not the same as chanting the Name of God. There are many rules and regulations regarding chanting of a mantra which is not the case when one is chanting the Name of God. For example chanting of a mantra has to be done in a saattvik place whereas chanting the name of God can be done anywhere and anytime.
Spiritual energy generated from a mantra can be used for bad and good purposes. It is just like earning money; how money is used is up to the person earning it.
A bij-mantra is a seedling of a mantra. It is this seedling that shoots of the science of Mantra spread. The energy of any mantra lies in its beeja. The chanting of a mantra is efficacious only if an appropriate bij is selected. The bij activates the deity of the mantra. Each bij-mantra contains groups of letters. Example of bij-mantra are such as Om, Aim, Kreem and Kleem.
Silently repeating a mantra as you meditate is a powerful way to enter the silence of the mind. As you repeat the mantra, it creates a mental vibration that allows the mind to experience deeper levels of awareness. As you meditate, the mantra becomes increasingly abstract and indistinct, until you,re finally led into the field of pure consciousness from which the vibration arose.
Each mantra induces specific vibrations in the mind, which is why people use different mantras depending upon their intentions. However, mantras don't have particular meanings-they are simply vibrations of consciousness. When they're silently repeated, they help us disconnect from the thoughts filling our mind and slip into the gap between thoughts. Since each mantra induces specific vibrations in the mind.
Some spiritual traditions put great emphasis on the correct pronunciation of mantras. If someone tries to maintain distinct pronunciation while the mind is in the process of transcending, the conscious effort for right pronunciation will undermine the natural meditation process.
