Meditation and Mantras is more than a book; it is a comprehensive manual aimed at helping individuals control their minds and achieve deeper awareness. It draws upon the four major paths of yoga: (Control of the mind) Karma Yoga (Selfless service) Jnana Yoga (Wisdom/Knowledge) Bhakti Yoga (Devotion)
that cites Swami Vishnu-Devananda’s teachings on the five kinds of malas and the power of mental repetition. Internet Archive Key Concepts from the Text Mantra as Vibration
Swami Vishnu-devananda famously describes a mantra as .
This is the mantra of the breath itself. "So" corresponds to the sound of inhalation, and "Ham" to exhalation. Swami Vishnu-devananda taught that we are naturally chanting "Soham" (meaning "I am That" or "I am He," referring to the Supreme Self) 21,600 times a day without knowing it. By consciously aligning the mantra with the breath, meditation becomes effortless. meditation and mantras swami vishnu devananda pdf
Avoid treating spiritual texts as purely intellectual reading. Read a few pages at a time, and directly apply the techniques to your daily morning seat.
Japa is the practice of repeating a mantra. The book highlights three distinct ways to practice Japa:
Sit with a straight spine, head, and neck aligned, preferably in Padmasana (Lotus) or Sukhasana (Easy Pose). Meditation and Mantras is more than a book;
For modern seekers looking for structured guidance on , the writings and teachings of Swami Vishnu-devananda—often sought in PDF format—remain an invaluable, timeless resource.
The is more than a file. It is a transmission. When you read his words—simple, direct, and loving—you are sitting at the feet of a master who dedicated his life to proving that peace is possible.
His teachings emphasize that while physical postures prepare the body, the ultimate purpose of yoga is to calm the mind through meditation and sound vibration. Understanding the Mechanics of Mind Control This is the mantra of the breath itself
The mind loves excuses. Establish a strict daily habit, even if you only sit for 10 or 15 minutes a day. Consistency is far more important than duration. Finding a PDF Copy of "Meditation and Mantras"
Swami Vishnu-devananda (1927–1993) was a close disciple of His Holiness Swami Sivananda Saraswati of Rishikesh. Sent to the West in 1957, Swami Vishnu-devananda founded the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centres to spread the teachings of classical yoga.
The lips move, but the sound is barely audible. This deepens internal awareness.
| Obstacle | Solution | |----------|----------| | Restless mind (monkey mind) | Use mantra repetition + pranayama | | Sleepiness | Sit with spine straight, open eyes slightly, practice Kapalabhati | | Doubt or frustration | Persevere – results come in years, not days | | Emotional release (crying, anger) | Allow it without attachment – purification happening | | No progress | Check lifestyle – are you practicing yamas/niyamas? |
Chant your mantra while traveling, walking, or doing mundane tasks to keep the mind focused.