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Mantra purifies the mind

opinionMantra purifies the mind

Sri Ramakrishna would often encourage devotees to do intense Sadhana or spiritual practice. He would impress upon them the need to dive deep. He would say that the Guru or the spiritual teacher gives the Mantra or the sacred syllable and then tells the disciple that I have now given the Mantra and the mind is now yours, playing a pun on the Bengali word Mantra. He would explain the idea using a beautiful analogy. He would say that the pearl oyster every now and then comes to the surface of the water waiting for the rainfall when the star Swati is in the ascendance. Taking a drop of that rainwater it dives deep into the depths of the ocean and remains there till the raindrop is converted into a pearl. Thus, Sri Ramakrishna would say that one should have immense faith in the holy name given by the Guru and use it to practice intense spiritual disciplines. The Mantra or the sacred syllable is capable of removing the impurities of the mind. Slowly it takes one forward in the path of God realization. One should pray to God intensely that the attachment to worldly enjoyments may disappear and that one may have pure devotion for the lotus feet of the Lord. One might argue that the Mantra is just a combination of letters and how can that lead to spiritual experience. Such an attitude only shows ignorance. Mantras are not coined or created by ordinary people using their imagination. These were revealed to highly illumined spiritual souls called Rishis. Such Mantras if practiced under the proper guidance of a spiritual preceptor would certainly lead to spiritual experience. But, one should have faith in the holy name or Mantra given by the Guru and repeat it with intense longing and deep devotion. This would help in removing inner obstacles to spiritual growth and ultimately lead one to the true goal of life. 

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