The World of Meditation: The Power of the Word

074 The power of the spoken word

The following program is the fourth of a series of six lessons entitled “The World of Meditation” presented by Martha Giudici.

The power of the spoken word is an integral part of the world of meditation. Whether we call it mantra, affirmation, song, chant, or any appropriate designation. Sound with power is another way of centering our self and entering into oneness with God, Spirit, the universal all, the ground of being.

The word mantra, M-A-N-T-R-A, means sound with power. When we speak, or intone words, we are using a vibratory power which goes forth from us. But it also works within us. It is more than a way of communicating with others. It is a way of aligning the vibratory activity of our mind and body with the true rhythm and balance of the universe, thereby becoming one with God, a power greater than us all.

075 Mantra and trans-personal levels of consciousness

Mantra, however, has come to mean more than spoken words or sounds. It is applied to anything that stirs us in meditation and takes us beyond the now.

Ira Progoff, founder of “Dialog House” and author of “Depth Psychology and Modern Man,” developed the idea of process meditation in which he uses words in a guided form of meditation by which you let your mind flow with the words and let them take you into the depths, into the transpersonal levels of consciousness. In other words, by following the sound of the words, you move to the transpersonal, that which is beyond the personal, into the greater depth of your being, a place where your own symbolic experiences will spontaneously occur.

076 Unity affirmations and Mantra

In the yoga philosophies, we have the idea of chanting. Chanting is sound with power. In Unity, we use affirmations. Words that are sound with power. Whatever power you put into your words, that is the feeling you put into your affirmative words, determines the results that you are going to get from them.

In Daily Word and other Unity publications, we use the affirmative word and people are using these in their daily prayer times. People in Unity are usually not what we call chanters. But we are singers, and we sing our mantras. That is, we sing such statements as: ‘I clothe myself safely round with infinite love and wisdom;’ or, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ These and other hymns are really mantras which we sing on a Sunday morning and in other services for hymns, or mantras set to music, sound with power that involve our feeling nature.

077 Mantra and other techniques in yoga

In the yoga philosophy, they expand the idea of mantra to many different forms. The basic purpose of, in yoga, for using mantras is to achieve the likeness of divinity. This means that if you use the vibratory level of the mantra correctly, then it would change the individual so that he becomes like the divinity, the higher self, and he becomes one with the universal reality.

078 Dance and meditation

They have also expanded the mantra idea and use, not only sound, but pictures, symbols, body gestures, and other things that stir them in meditation. The body gestures are a form of dance called Tai Chi. You may wonder how can dancing be a form of meditation? It is not just dancing but a way of becoming one with the rhythm of the universe. Dance has always played a part in bringing one into alignment with the universal.

Many of our Psalms were at one time danced to as well as sung. This was done in order to bring the individual into oneness with God. Dr. George Lambsa, an Aramaic scholar who translated the Bible from the Aramaic into English, once demonstrated how the Psalms were danced and chanted in Aramaic the words. It was quite an interesting and moving experience to realize that people entered into the Psalms with their whole being. Dancing has gone out of the church as a form of worship.

In the Orient, with the retention of the dance Tai Chi, your movements are designed to get the body moving in rhythm with the universe. In the dance, in the rhythm of the movement, you find that you become the dance and, in so doing, you are moving in a perfect rhythm. And this brings perfect balance, quiet and centering of the mind. Many yoga students do this type of movement. Once the movement starts, it keeps flowing until the yogi has achieved a perfect flow, and a deep state of meditation.

079 The Om state of meditation

Another mantra, chanted by many meditators, is the Om, O-M. The Om is the universal mantra, and it is said to be the mantra from which all sound in the universe and all variation of sound emerges. And it is that into which all sound returns. Again, this is the principle of the center. In every form of meditation, we find this principle of the center and the idea of moving through the center to the beyond and back again. In chanting the Om, the universal mantra, one flows with the Om to the center from which all sound emerges and to which all sound returns. This is a very important idea in meditation.

080 The Word and grand Amen as Om in Unity

What do we call the Om in our Christian philosophies? In Unity, we call it the Word. That is word spelled with a capital W. When you see the capital letter W, Word, this refers to the Word of God, which speaks all things into manifestation and to which all things return. Charles Fillmore in writing about the Power of Man's words said that the spoken words carry vibrations through the universal ethers and moves the intelligence that is in every form, animate or inanimate.

Another name for the Om would be the Amen. I would say that this is like the Grand Amen of the lost chord. It is said that when the perfect chord of the universe is played, we would have a Grand Amen. All men at that time would enter into Christ consciousness, a time of total lifting up of all persons everywhere into oneness with God.

081 Incense and chant

And in addition, in some worship surfaces, incense is used to set the mind free and move it Godward. We are reminded of the Buddhists who also use incense to remind them of Buddha and to have them return their thoughts to the way.

In the Catholic Church, they use the idea of chanting. The Gregorian chants are an essential part of the mass, and they are quite beautiful. They are intended to bring the devotee closer to God.

The Hawaiians also have forms of chanting. A familiar sound to many might be the Amama Nui Oi, which means the word is free. They too feel that the power of the Word connects them with the spirits, the Akua.

082 The power of the spoken word

In the mystical rights of all people, there is a sacred word, the equivalent of the Om. In every sacred right, there is a sacred word. And the sacred word is said to be the key that brings a person into oneness with the universe.

Tribal rituals involved the spoken word and the power of the spoken word. Among our native American Indians, in the Hogans when they are preparing for healing rights and rights of initiation, the chanting is not mumbo jumbo as it sounds to many. It is done with the idea of establishing a universal unity, a rhythm and balance that restores the individual to his oneness with the Great Spirit.

083 Prayer wheels

An added dimension is given to the prayers of the Hindus and of the monks in Tibet, and that is the idea of a prayer wheel. Of course, a prayer wheel is more than a wheel. It is a drum. It is felt that when the prayer wheel is spinning, it gives impetus to the sounds being spoken and takes them upward to oneness with Brahma, the Creator. So, we can see the idea of speaking a word with power and then spinning the wheel to give it even greater power so that it can return to the Creator and then the prayer be granted.

084 Gongs and sounds to go to oneness with Spirit

Other sounds with power are involved in the use of cymbals, gongs, and the plucking of stringed instruments. Often in Zen meditation, or Zen sitting, one will be in the quiet when suddenly a cymbal or a gong is struck. This is used as a way to trigger the mind, or cause that click in mind, so that it moves beyond a sense of self to the real so that one may see one space as it was before the world was.

An additional use of sound with power is to direct the vibratory power of the word to the power centers within the body, thereby releasing and increasing the energy level of the body's center. No matter how they are used, all forms of sound with power are intended to help the individual go beyond himself to a sense of oneness with the universe, with Spirit.

085 Summary of sounds and introduction to the samples

The dance, body gestures, Psalms, hymns, chanting, singing, and our affirmative prayers then are all part of the world of meditation.

Prior to our meditative experience, we will listen to some chanting: Gregorian, Eastern Orthodox, Hebrew, and Hawaiian. This will give you an opportunity to experience and feel the power of the sounds being intoned. It may help to close your eyes as you listen.

086 Christian hymn from 2nd C Catholic mass

This ancient and venerable hymn, dating back to the second century AD, is sung in the most central part of the Roman Catholic mass, just preceding the consecration of the elements of bread and wine. It refers to the glory of God.

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth

Pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua.

Hosanna in excelsis.

Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini.

Hosanna in excelsis.

087 Eastern orthodox liturgy in Romanian

This is the opening blessing of the Eastern Orthodox liturgy in Romanian.

Binecuvântată este împărătia Tatălui si a Fiului si a Sfântului Duh, acum si pururea si în vecii vecilor.

088 Hebrew Shema

This is the Shema, an ancient Hebrew prayer which contains the essence of Judaism. It means: Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.

Shema Yisrael, Adonai eloheinu, Adonai echad.

089 Hawaiian benediction

This ancient prayer from Hawaii is a fragment of a longer prayer that extols the wonder and beauty of the universe. It is chanted by our Unity Minister in Hawaii. It is a benediction and says: “May the love and peace of God of the Infinite of Goodness bless you and be with you wherever you are. You are now one in love.” Say these ancient words.

A hiki mai no ˋoe Hiki pu no me ke aloha. A hiki mai no ˋoe Hiki pu no me ke aloha.

This gives you a feel for chanting throughout the world of meditation.

090 Introduction to meditation experience

We will now prepare for our meditation experience using various mantras, sounds with power. Some words may be unfamiliar. Other words will be very familiar, used in a new way. By this time, if you are practicing your meditations daily, you should have learned to relax your body and still your mind easily. Remember, daily meditation makes the difference. During this experience, involve yourself in the activities so that you may be aware of what others experience in their meditative times.

091 Relax and be at peace and breathe

Now, find that comfortable position in your chair, or sitting on the floor, with your feet flat, hands in your lap, spine upright but not stiff, and then, with your eyes closed, begin to relax and to be at peace. Relax and be at peace.

Relax and become peaceful.

And now take a deep breath and let all tension and care flow out and away from you.

Resume normal breathing.

Become aware of your breath. The going in and the going out.

In a rhythmic balanced flow.

Breathing in. Breathing out.

092 Let the Om sound flow from within

Now, we are going to begin to intone the Om sound.

In order to understand this, you sound the word something like the word home. It is that same sound as home.

In leading this, I will say, Om together. And we will start. Then when we are to stop, I will say, now. And we will stop. During this time, don't try too hard, let the Om sound come from within you. Sound it easily. Do not try to hold it for a long time. But rather let it flow as it will from within you.

Now, center your attention at your throat.

And we will begin to sound the Om, each at our own vibratory level and at our own pace, about three times. Take a deep breath now. And Om together.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmm

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmm

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmm Nooooow.

Feel the vibration of the Om, deep within your body. Feel the movement of the Om, throughout you.

Once again, we will begin and intone the Om three times, so that you may get the feel of the Om moving within your body temple. Take a deep breath. And Om together.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmm

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmm

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmm Nooooooooow.

093 Lower the Om into the body

Feel the vibratory level of the Om within your body as you resume normal breathing. This time we are going to lower the Om into our body, until the whole body is filled with the Om sound. We will start at our throats, lower the Om into the body, until the whole body is filled, and return it to our throat. And then we will stop.

So now, center your attention at your throat. We will do this twice and then stop. After which we will resume normal breathing. Take a deep breath. Om together.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Ooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Nooow.

094 Let the Om fill the head

Resume normal breathing.

Now, we are going to take a different direction with the Om. We are going to place our hands over our ears and let the Om fill our head. Then we are going to place our hands over our throat, first placing the left hand, then the right hand. When the ears are filled with the sound of the Om, move to the throat.

So, we will begin first an Om at the throat. Then place hands over both ears. Then when the ears and the head are filled with the Om, move your hands to your throat, first the left hand, then the right hand to feel the vibratory power of the Om. We will intone the Om two times. Take a deep breath.

Oooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Oooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Noooow.

As you resume normal breathing, feel the vibration of the Om within your body temple.

Follow the sound of the silent Om within you.

Breathing normally, following the vibration of the Om.

095 Direct Om from throat to head to abdomen to throat

Now, we are going to begin to direct the Om and let it ascend to the top of our head, then down to the lower abdomen, and back to our throat. In other words, we will start at the throat, let the Oms into the top of the head, down to the lower abdomen and back to the throat. We will do this twice. Then resume normal breathing.

Take a deep breath. Om together.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Noooow.

Feel the vibration of the Om from the top of your head down and through your body.

Feel it flowing and vibrating, as you resume normal breathing, aware of the Om.

096 Take the Om through the power centers of the body

This time, we are going to take the Om and go through the power centers in the body, starting at the top of the head, just as we did a moment ago, letting it touch the top of your head, behind the eyes, at the throat, at the solar plexus, in the lower abdomen and back to the throat. We will do this two times, centering our attention first at the throat, going to the top of the head, behind the eyes, return to the throat, the solar plexus, the lower abdomen, and back to the throat. Two times. Take a deep breath. Om together.

Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Resume normal breathing.

Still feeling the vibration of the Om in your power centers.

With practice and with patience and learning to vibrate the Om and controlling the breath, you will be able to do this easily and peacefully.

097 Intone the word God

Now, we are going to be using a very familiar word, in the same manner in which we have used the Om. We are going to use the word God, sounding it at the power center of the throat, at our own vibratory pace, at our own vibratory level. Let us intone the word God three times. Take a deep breath. God together.

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood

Goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooood Nooow.

Resume normal breathing.

098 Intone the name Jesus

And now, we are going to use another familiar word and that is the word Jesus. We will be intoning the name Jesus three times, at our own vibratory level and at our own pace. Take a deep breath. Jesus together.

Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus

Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuus

Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuuuuuuuuus Noooow.

Feel the vibration and the power within your body, as you resume normal breathing.

099 Intone the name Jesus Christ

Charles Fillmore said that there was great power in the name Jesus Christ, power to change the consciousness. Once again, we will intone the name Jesus Christ three times. Take a deep breath. Jesus Christ together.

Jeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuuuuuus Chriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiist

Jeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuuuuuus Chriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiist

Jeeeeeeeeeeesuuuuuuuuus Chriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiist Nooooow

100 Intone the name Christ

As you resume normal breathing, we will begin to use another word familiar to us, the word Christ. The name of the Lord of our being, that perfect likeness within each of us. So, let us intone the word Christ together three times. Take a deep breath. Christ together.

Chriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiist

Chriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiist

Chriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiist Noooow.

As you intone the name Christ and feel the vibratory level within you, remember which of these words work best for you and use them as a part of your creative meditation.

101 Intone Allelujah

Now, we are going to do a different word, Allelujah.

We will let the mind flow with the word Allelujah as we sing it ever so softly to our selves. The word, Allelujah. Let us sing this together.

Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah.

Allelujah, Allellujah, Allelujah, Allelujah.

Now, ever so softly, sing it once again together.

Allelujah. Flow with it. Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah. Deeper yet.

Allelujah, Allellujah, Allelujah, Allelujah.

102 Sing the Allelujah in the quiet of the mind

Now, in the quiet of your own mind, sing the Allelujah. Continue to sing in the quiet of your mind, letting your mind flow deeper and deeper, with each sounding of the Allelujah, until your mind is flowing free, flowing along the path of the Allelujah to the center of your being, to your oneness with that which is the Allelujah, God, in the quiet.

You may spend as much time as you like in the creative quiet.

103 Sing the Allelujah

And after spending this time, slowly let yourself flow back along the path of the Allelujah, back to your own conscious awareness, and gently begin to sing once again.

Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah, Allelujah.

Allelujah, Allellujah, Allelujah, Allelujah.

104 Bring attention behind the eyes and open

And now ever so gently, bring your attention up behind your eyes and let light begin to come to your eyes, as you open your eyes without focusing, letting light come.

And then slowly but surely, focus on the world around you.

And we say: Thank you, Father. And bring our meditation to a close.