Source https://www.sonima.com/yoga/chanting/
Over many years of following the Aṣṭāṅga yoga method, I have found that devotional practices, particularly chanting and japa (meditation in the form of silent mantra repetition often using the name of a deity), have become an indispensable part of daily practice. This strengthening of the bhāvana of devotion is very helpful in overcoming many of the internal obstacles that arise in yoga practice. Most importantly, it helps to strengthen saṃtoṣa (contentment) and reduces the tendency of striving to achieve external goals as practice becomes more internally oriented.
Since the nature of the mind is so subtle, it is extremely hard to bring it under control. Language can be a very useful tool in this regard as it is a vital aspect of the functioning of the mind. Using the power of words and sounds to create strong mental impressions is profoundly impactful, perhaps more so than visual stimuli. Upon hearing a word, the mind is immediately presented with an image associated with that object, along with many other associations and emotions.
In yoga philosophy, vikalpa (a vṛtti or mental function) is imagination defined by Patañjali as “knowledge derived from words when the object is absent.” Hence, language and words can be potent tools in yoga, too. Japa, the practice of mantra repetition using appropriate words (śabdha) or expressions, can he…
Source https://www.sonima.com/yoga/chanting/
Over many years of following the Aṣṭāṅga yoga method, I have found that devotional practices, particularly chanting and japa (meditation in the form of silent mantra repetition often using the name of a deity), have become an indispensable part of daily practice. This strengthening of the bhāvana of devotion is very helpful in overcoming many of the internal obstacles that arise in yoga practice. Most importantly, it helps to strengthen saṃtoṣa (contentment) and reduces the tendency of striving to achieve external goals as practice becomes more internally oriented.
Since the nature of the mind is so subtle, it is extremely hard to bring it under control. Language can be a very useful tool in this regard as it is a vital aspect of the functioning of the mind. Using the power of words and sounds to create strong mental impressions is profoundly impactful, perhaps more so than visual stimuli. Upon hearing a word, the mind is immediately presented with an image associated with that object, along with many other associations and emotions.
In yoga philosophy, vikalpa (a vṛtti or mental function) is imagination defined by Patañjali as “knowledge derived from words when the object is absent.” Hence, language and words can be potent tools in yoga, too. Japa, the practice of mantra repetition using appropriate words (śabdha) or expressions, can he…
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