Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

MANTRA (aka Mantram)

Generically the term "mantra" refers to sacred words or syllables used repeatedly in religious and ceremonial rituals, and is derived from Sanskrit man, "mind," and tra, "to deliver."

Generally the mantra is considered a holy or divine name, word, or syllable by the one that says or thinks it. The mantra is believed to help one to achieve his goal which may be a mission, or an objective, or the attainment of something desired. For example, in Hinduism the mantra, which holds the essence of a guru's teaching, helps the initiate along his spiritual path.

Likewise, in Buddhism mantra may be a syllable or syllables which represent the cosmic forces, aspects of Buddhas, or the name of Buddha. The mantra is repeated during meditation, and in Vajrayana Buddhism this is accompanied by visualizations and body postures.

Mantras are thought to be charged with vibration power (see VIBTRATORY FORMULA). Chanting or meditating silently on mantras helps one to attain an altered state of consciousness. In such a state it is believed possible to perceive the true nature of the mind; "the unity of mind with Mind."

"Lama Anagarika Govinda defined a mantra as a 'tool for thinking,' a 'thing which creates a mental picture.'" (Foundations of Tibetan Mysticism, 1969) Govinda continued. "The mantra... is knowledge, the truth beyond right and wrong, real being beyond thinking and reflecting. What the mantra expresses in sound exists and comes to pass."

Mantras can be used in three ways: verbal, semi-verbal, and silent. Verbal repetition of mantras so anyone can hear them is the lowest form of their usage while silent repetition is the highest. While others, such as the Krishna sect, feel that verbal chanting is more powerful. The semi-verbal form is when the vocal chords vibrate but no sound is uttered.

Some stress methods in the use of mantras. The correct pronunciation and intonement of mantras is extremely important. This creates strong vibrations that effect every vibration of every universal thing including the deities and lower spirits.

Also, the mantra is thought to be a manifestation of shabda, or sacred sound that can be controlled either to create or destroy. Such a concept also is discovered in the ancient Grecian theory of music, "in which the keynote of a particular organism, body, or substance can be used to cause it to disintegrate."

Yogis and fakirs use mantric power to perform psycho-kinetic feats such as controlling the weather, teleportation, apports, and levitation. It is said the Tibetan yogi Milarepa used mantras to create a hail storm to destroy family enemies. For using a sacred power for an evil purpose Milarepa served several years of penance.

Presently many mantras are repeatedly chanted. The chanting is often, though not always, done in association of dancing to drum or other instrumental music to achieve an altered state of consciousness and/or a raising of power. Such ceremonial rituals are performed in Wicca and other forms of Neo-Pagan witchcraft.

By way of example, many witches and Neo-Pagans use chants to raise power to enhance the performance of their Magick spells. Words of these chants may be names of the Goddess or Horned God (see NAMES OF POWER). Also chants may consist of rhymes, alliterative phrases, or charms which are created or taken from other sources such as books or poetry.

The following is the refrain from The Witches' Rune written by Doreen Valiente, which is also a common power-raising chant in Wicca:

Eko, Eko Azarak
Eko, Eko Zomelak
Eko, Eko Cermunnos
Eko, Eko Ardia

Chants, or mantras, of shamans, which are power songs, have been passed down through the generations. Their rhythms and melodies empower the shaman to reach an altered state of conscious and summon his power animal or guardian spirit.

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc