To reach the truth, it is often necessary to revise our concepts and beliefs.
Many of the terms used in this book are used from the basis of the real meaning, not necessarily the meaning we have heard or read from others. Therefore, in order to aid your understanding of the many terms used in this book, we have included footnotes and a glossary. For a more extensive glossary and other references, visit glorian.org.
Mantra Pronunciation
Chanting or repetition of sacred sounds is universal in all religions. In Sanskrit, these sounds are called mantras, and their repetition is called japa.
Generally speaking, the sounds in mantras are pronounced using the ancient roots (Latin, Sanskrit, etc):
- I: as the ee in “tree”
- E: as the eh in “they”
- O: as the oh in “holy”
- U: as the u in “true”
- A: as the ah in “father”
- M: extended as if humming, “mmmmm”
- S: extended like a hiss, “sssss”
- CH: if the word is Latin, pronounced as k. If the word is Hebrew, pronounced as a scrape in the back of the throat, as in “Bach”
- G: In most mantras, G is pronounced as in “give”
- J: In most mantras, especially those from Sanskrit, the J is hard, as in “job.”
Should Mantras be Spoken Aloud or Silent?
“...the verb is of triple pronunciation and that it endows three norms: verbal, mental, and conscious. One can articulate with the creative larynx, one can vocalize with his thought, and one can vocalize with the superlative consciousness of the Being.” –Samael Aun Weor, Esoteric Medicine and Practical Magic
“There are three ways that one learns to use a mantra, to repeat prayers or sounds. They are quite simple: aloud, quietly, or silently.
Vaikhari Japa: verbal, loud
Upamshu Japa: whispered or hummed
Manasika Japa: mental, silent, without moving.” –the lecture Yoga of Devotion
“The fruits of whispered japa are a thousand times more powerful than the verbal japa, and the fruits of the silent, mental japa are hundreds of thousands of times more powerful than the verbal japa. Mental japa can even be kept up while at work.” –Swami Sivananda
