The fourth in the series of Mystic Chants is “Aum Namah Shivaya”. Sadhguru tells us that it is the basic mantra that purifies our system and helps bring meditativeness into those who are otherwise unable to hold it. 

Sadhguru:

Repeating a mantra with the right kind of awareness has always been the basic type of sadhana in most of the spiritual paths in the world.  Most people are incapable of rising to the right levels of energy within themselves without the use of a mantra. I find more than ninety percent of the people always need a mantra to activate themselves. Without it, they are not able to sustain.

So the basic mantra, which is held as the Mahamantra in certain cultures, is Aum Namah Shivaya.  ‘Aum Namah Shivaya’ can be practiced in different dimensions.  These are known as panchaksharas; there are five mantras in this. These panchaksharas represent the five elements in nature or they also represent the five main centers in the system – they are ways of activating these five centers.  They are also a very powerful purifying system.

There are many different dimensions in which we can look at this mantra. Right now, we want to use this mantra as a purificatory process, and at the same time as a foundation, as a base for all meditativeness that we may attain to. Aum Namah Shivaya is not a bad word. You can utter it. The question is just, ‘Are you ready for it?’  It is not about somebody. You’re not calling somebody. You want to dissolve yourself, because Shiva is a destroyer. If you call a destroyer and then you’re hoping that he will save you, it’s a mistake, isn’t it?

As a part of the Mystic Chants series, we will be releasing the rest of the Vairagya chants, one every week, for free. To support our efforts, you could also purchase the entire album online here.

To read about the significance of mantras, visit Sadhguru Spot on Becoming A Mantra.

To find the other Mystic Chants:

Vairagya – Bonding with Beyond