Who says that mantras for meditation can only be chanted alone?
Did you know that there is a particular mantra sequence that you can chant with your partner?
Do you remember the bija “seed’ mantras? If you’ve been following along, you might have read about it in my previous post.
Bija “seed” mantras are sounds or syllables attuned to the seven chakras of the body. Chanting the bija mantras can help clear and activate the chakras found in the body. Once activated, you will be able to experience the spiritual energy that can enhance certain aspects of your life.
There are 7 seeds and each seed represents the 7 chakras. The order of the chanting of the bija seeds should not be changed for it to take effect.
Bija mantras can be practiced with a partner to help you “tone” the bija mantras. Some find it easier this way as compared to chanting it alone. However, this depends how you feel most comfortable.
Before starting your meditation session, the first thing you have to do with your partner is the heart salutation or simply acknowledging the other person. Simply sit across from your partner and greet them with the salutation “Namaste”. Namaste means “I honor the Divine in you as a reflection of the Divine found in me.”
Once you and your partner are relaxed, if you feel it necessary to be completely comfortable, you can start sharing your fears regarding this practice. The first acts as a sender and the other one act as a listener. After the sender shares, switch roles. You can do this to enhance your comfort with each other during the meditation proper and facilitate a deeper meditation experience.
For the actual chanting of the bija mantras, one has to act as the receiver and the other as the giver and vice versa. One will chant the mantras and this person is the “giver” and the other will “receive” the mantras.
In some traditions the giver actually places their hands on the receiver’s particular chakra points to help activate them. However this is probably best left to practice only with one’s partner or within the context of a relationship with that level of intimacy.
This is one such practice where chanting mantras for meditation can be a two way process. Would love to hear about your experiences with this and if you’ve practiced other mantra meditation techniques with a partner.