I was listening to an audio program from The Great Courses when I was doing a two hour drive on a regular basis. I wanted something to listen to besides music, so I purchased The Spiritual Brain: Science and Religious Experience by Andrew Newberg. The course is a discussion about scientists and doctors doing brain scans on people who did different spiritual practices to see what measurable impact these spiritual practices have on the brain. For this particular practice, they chose subjects who were beginning to have issues with their memory and who had not previously done any kind of meditation practice. The practice takes 11 minutes to do each day. They had the participants do the practice each day for 8 weeks. After only 8 weeks, the brain scans clearly showed significant improvement in their brains that would help with focus and memory. I tried the practice and liked how it made me feel.
This healing practice is from Kundalini Yoga, not Sufism. I still recommend it for those who are drawn to it, because we are all worshipping the same God. Each path uses different practices to connect with God. Some work better than others. We each have to choose what works for us.
The practice definitely is working more on clearing the “Third Eye” and the mind, not the heart. The Sufi path is heart focused. The only reason I am recommending it is for those who are having trouble with their brains, having memory issues or dementia. I would suggest that you do this practice along with the Remembrance, not instead of the Remembrance.
The following is based on Kundalini Yoga by Shakti Parwha Kaur Khalsa.
TRANSFORMATIONAL MANTRAS
Mantras are powerful tools for clearing and restructuring the subconscious mind. SA TA NA MA is basic mantra taught by Yogi Bhajan to reorient the mind and thus open us up to the possibility of transformational change, finding the truth in our consciousness by waking us up to our divine identity.
SA TA NA MA incorporates the nuclear sounds of SAT NAM. SA TA NA MA uses the primal sounds to connect us to the evolutionary nature of existence itself. It is referred to as the panch shabd, which means a mantra with five sound currents. The fifth sound is “A.” When we chant SA TA NA MA we imprint the evolutionary code of the universe into our human psyche.
SA is the beginning, infinity, the totality of everything that ever was, is or will be.
TA is life, existence and creativity that manifests from infinity.
NA is death, change and the transformation of consciousness.
MA is rebirth, regeneration and resurrection which allows us to consciously experience the joy of the infinite.
SA TA NA MA is so primal that its impact on our psyche is like splitting an atom. The power of his mantra comes from the fact that it rearranges the subconscious mind at the most elementary level. It has the power to break habits and addictions because it accesses the level of the mind where habits are created.
The radiance of the psyche is dependent upon the active functioning of both the pituitary and pineal glands. The pituitary gland regulates the entire glandular system. The secretion of the pineal gland creates a pulsating radiance that activates the pituitary gland. The mind goes out of balance when the pineal gland is dormant. The imbalance makes it seem impossible to break mental and physical addictions. The mantra SA TA NA MA to a powerful tool to recreate balance in the mind.
KIRTIN KRIYA: SA TA NA MA MEDITATION
Kirtin Kriya, often referred to as SA TA NA MA meditation, is the most important meditation in Kundalini Yoga. It was one of the first meditations taught by Yogi Bhajan and remains today as a foundation meditation recommended for every student of Kundalini yoga. Yogi Bhajan says that if you can do only one meditation, this is it. It does everything for you in the order that you need. It is your teacher. And as you practice it, you will come to realize that it is your best friend. Whatever you need at the moment, it will readjust and align you to bring balance into your mind and thus your life.
This meditation is given for everything from breaking habits to achieving emotional balance. It helps you focus and center yourself. It is a catalyst for change because it is a very powerful spiritual cleanser. You may go through a lot because you will be releasing a lot. Be present to what you are experiencing and be willing to let it all go. The process will allow you to give all your garbage back to God. If you want to maintain the status quo, don’t do this meditation. If you are willing to change and welcome a new dimension of being into your life, this meditation is for you.
The bottom line is that this meditation works. All you have to do is do it. You can trust the process and the technology.
DIRECTIONS:
Sit with a straight spine. Bring your mental focus to the brow point.
Chant SA TA NA MA. While chanting alternately press the thumb with the four fingers. Press hard enough to keep yourself awake and aware of the pressure. Keep repeating in a stable rhythm and keep the hand motion going throughout the whole meditation.
SA press the thumb and the first or Jupiter finger together with pressure.
TA press the thumb and the middle or Saturn finger together.
NA press the thumb and the ring or Sun finger together.
MA press the thumb and the small or Mercury finger together.
The Jupiter finger brings in knowledge, expands our field of possibilities and releases us from limitations.
The Saturn finger gives us patience, wisdom and purity.
The Sun finger gives us vitality and aliveness.
The Mercury finger aids clear communication.
Each time you close a mudra by joining the thumb with a finger, your ego “seals” its effect in your consciousness.
Visualize or feel each individual sound come in the crown chakra at the top of the head, down through the middle of the head and out to infinity through the third eye. This is very important and must be done with each sound. It is an essential part of the cleansing process. If this part of the meditation is not done, you may experience a headache.
While doing the meditation, you may experience pictures of the past come up like on a movie screen in your mind. Let them dance in front of your eyes and release them with the mantra. This is part of the cleansing of the subconscious mind. If emotions come up, you can also incorporate them in the chanting, i.e. if you feel anger then chant out the anger. Whatever you experience is OK. Do not try to avoid or control your experiences. Simply be with what is going on and go through it. It is all part of the cleansing process.
11 MINUTE VERSION
It can also be done for shorter times. Yogi Bhajan has said that during this stressful time it should be done for at least 11 minutes every day. For the eleven minute version do:
2 minutes OUTLOUD
2 minutes in an audible WHISPER
3 minutes chant SILENTLY. Keep the hands, L in the head and tongue moving.
2 minutes WHISPER.
2 minutes OUTLOUD.
Then sit quietly and listen inside, hear the mantra and experience the L in the head. Do not do the finger movements.
At the end, inhale deeply, raise the arms up in the air and vigorously shake the arms and fingers. You can involve the whole body and spine. Exhale. Repeat 1 or 2 more time if you desire. This is an important part of the meditation as it helps move and release the energy in the body. Relax for a few minutes before going about your day. Or relax on your back. If it is before bed time, simply go to sleep.
There are numerous Youtube videos showing you how to do this practice. I just picked one. Click on the above link “Youtube videos” to access one version of this mantra. If the link is no longer working, or you would prefer someone else to lead you in the practice, there are many others to choose from.