Mantra yoga involves the chanting of mantras or sacred formulas to produce powerful vibrations. The most potent mantra is the syllable "Aum" which represents the Hindu trinity of Brahma, Vishna, and Shiva. For a mantra to be effective, it must be chanted with strong intent and feeling, not just mechanically repeated. There are different types of mantras that have varying levels of assistance in achieving spiritual goals. Mantra yoga is considered an easy path to God realization in current times according to Swami Sivananda.

1. Self-Awakening and Empowering through Mantra Yoga

2. Self-Awakening and Empowering through Mantra Yoga
Mantra Yoga
The chanting of God’s name brings comfort to the body, mind and souls of human
beings. Almost all religions believe in this Mantra chanting technique. Hindus take
the name of Rama or Krishna or any of the other deities. Christians chant the name
of Jesus and Moslems pray to Allah. In the effort towards liberation, man clings to
the divine name. Mantra yoga is based on this principle. It is practiced by repeating
the holy name, which is called japa, practiced certain sacred formulas.
It is common experience by everyone, that different sounds produce different
effects. Sound is caused by the movement of air, which creates pressure. When this
reaches our eardrums we are conscious of the sound. Music has a soothing effect,
while a shrill or jarring sound causes discomfort.

3. Self-Awakening and Empowering through Mantra Yoga
Thus sounds are associated with vibrations, and different kinds of sounds cause
differing vibrations. A singer with a deep enough voice can even break a plate of
glass by merely singing near it. The principle of Mantra yoga is similar. A word or a
mantra uttered in the proper manner can produce powerful molecular waves.
According to Swami Sivananda, The vibrations produced by the uttering of the word
OM or AUM are so powerful.
Bija or seed Mantra
In Mantra yoga certain sounds are known as bija or seed mantra. These have the
capacity of permanently affecting the structure of the nerve centers. When the bija
mantra is uttered, its vibrations affect the particular chakra to which it is directed,
and the lotus of there charka, flowers. The most potent bija mantra is the syllable

4. Self-Awakening and Empowering through Mantra Yoga
In it the organs of speech have gathered and reproduced all the sounds occurring in
the Trimurti(brahma, Vishnu & maheswara). The letter A stands for creation and the
Lord of creation, Brahma. U is for the Preserver, Vishnu, M for Shiva the Destroyer.
Thus, creation, preservation and destruction are all contained in Aum. Next in
importance to Aum comes the Gayatri mantra which conveys the eternal wisdom of
the Vedas.
Mantra with bhava (feeling)
A mantra has two subbed visions, kriya (action) and bhava (feeling). The
former, kriya, is the mere repetition of the mantra. The mere mechanical repetition
of a mantra does not have any effect. There must be a strong intent and feeling
(bhava) put into it. The mantra is effective according to the magnitude of the effort

5. Self-Awakening and Empowering through Mantra Yoga
Types of Mantra
There are many kinds of mantras, according to the object with which they are
uttered. The four chief classifications are siddha (achieved), saadhya
(instrumental),sasiddhaI (with achievement) and ari or ripu (enemy). The first kind,
the siddha, are comparable to friends, and bring results within a specified time. The
saadhya are like faithful servants and bring results after a long time. The sasiddha
are only of temporary assistance.
Swami Sivananda on Mantra Yoga
And bear fruit according to the merits to those who chant them. The are kind act as
enemies and destroy the merits of those who use them. It is believed that in the
present Kaliyuga age mantra yoga is the easy and direct way to God realization.

6. Self-Awakening and Empowering through Mantra Yoga
If one repeats the mantra relating to a
particular deity, the deity appears. Rhythmic
chanting of a mantra is called japa. The effect
of japa is ten times as great as other rituals. If
one repeats the mantra silently the effect is a
hundred times as much, and if the japa is
chanted in one’s mind merely, the merit is a
thousand times as great. There are many
varieties of japa. Some are done with the help
of a rosary, while others require only the
mind’s uninterrupted concentration.