Monday, September 5, 2011

Monday Mantra: Ek Ong Kar Sat Nam Siri Wha Hey Guru





This Monday my offering is a Kundalini yoga mantra:


Ek Ong Kar Sat Nam Siri Wah Hey Guru


This is an absolute favorite of mine because of its powerful meaning and effect, and because it rolls out of my body in such an easy and joyful way. There is a beautiful cadence and rhythm to it, so much so that I tend to use it not only in seated meditations, but when I am out for a run or working in the garden. Try it out and let your heart light shine!!!


This is an Adi shakti mantra (primal power mantra), designed to awaken the shakti energy coiled at the base of the spine, allowing it to vault upwards opening the higher consciousness chakras leading to deep wisdom and bliss states. It acts as a method of communication between your individual soul and the Universal soul.


To practice with this mantra, take a comfortable seat either cross legged on the floor or in a chair. Make sure your spine is straight (to allow the energy to flow freely) and that your breathing is relaxed and deep. As you say the mantra you may also focus on each of the corresponding chakras listed below. A mala, or prayer beads, is a nice way to keep track. Traditionally, a mantra is repeated 108 times in a seated meditation, but start where you are and let the energy guide you on YOUR journey today.



Ek= One, the essence of all; Oneness. (1st Chakra)
Ong= The primal vibration from which creativity flows “I bow to the Creator.” (2nd Chakra)
Kar=  All of Creation. (3rd Chakra)
Sat= Truth. (4th Chakra)
Nam= Name/Identity. (5th Chakra)
Siri= Greatness.  (6th Chakra)
Wahe Guru=The indescribable joy of going from darkness to light. (7th Chakra)

All together this mantra may be translated as, "There is one Creator whose name is Truth. Great is the ecstasy of that Supreme Wisdom""...or something like that. Remember that mantras are written in an energetic language base on primal sounds and vibrations –the very building blocks of all Creation– and so don't translate exactly into other languages.



The great sage, Yogi Bhajan, who brought Kundalini yoga to the West says,
Before sunrise, when the channels of energy are most clear, if this mantra is sung in sweet harmony, you will be one with the Lord. This will open your solar plexus, charging the solar center, connecting it with cosmic energy. You will be liberated from the cycles of karma that bind you to the earth. No tongue can tell how bright the light of cosmic energy is, but when you recite this mantra daily, you will have this light within you.” --Yogi Bhajan.
Here is a beautiful rendition by Snatam Kaur. You can also chant it in an upbeat tempo. Enjoy, and happy chanting!

 http://www.art4spirit.com/Images/Artwork/Kundalini5x7.jpg