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be consciously unfolded and actualized. Word phrases may be, "I am one 

with God," "I am peace," “love," “light" (or any other quality or attribute of 

higher significance). The thing to remember is that the meditation mantra 

is attractive to the mind and so involves the meditator's attention that 

adjustments to clear states of consciousness can be more easily facilitated. 

Sanskrit mantras are believed to have the added, beneficial influences 

of the energy-frequencies of their sounds which have a calming effect on 

the mind and enliven the nervous system. Common Sanskrit mantras are 

hong-sau (pronounced as "hong-saw"), so-ham, and others. These are best 

learned from a qualified meditation teacher, to learn the sounds of the 

words and how to use them as mantras. When given during initiation into 

meditation practice, mantras can also be infused with the qualities of the 

spiritual energies which are present during the occasion of initiation. 

All Sanskrit mantras derive their potency from the Word (Aum, Om), 

the primal sound current from which the universes are manifested. When 

meditating with such mantras, one is encouraged to remember the source 

of all expressive sounds—the Word or Om that originates in the field of 

the Godhead. One can then merge in the mantra and go beyond it to tran-

scendental realizations. 

Listening to the mantra calms the mind and improves concentration. 

For best results, the ideal is to eventually transcend the mantra, for it, too, 

is but a technique or tool to be used to facilitate meditation practice. When 

a mantra is used, it is introduced into one's field of awareness, usually 

as a mental sound. It may be mentally affirmed at the beginning, then 

mentally "listened to" as though resonating within one's mind and field 

of awareness. The key to mantra practice is to give full attention to the 

inner sound, while remaining relaxed and attentive. Mantras are some-

times mentally listened to in conjunction with being aware of the body's 

breathing rhythm. When this is done, it is usually experienced during the 

early stages of meditation practice, until one is sufficiently relaxed and 

internalized to ignore the breath and give full attention to the mantra and 

to possibilities of experiencing superconscious states. Variations of medita-

tion technique practices can be learned from a teacher or by personal 

experimentation. 

Meditators whose primary interest is to experience relaxation and 

mental calm usually practice until they experience a stable, tranquil state of 

consciousness, then rest in it for a duration. Meditators whose aspiration