Module 1: Cultivate Heightened Consciousness, Courage, Gratitude, Compassion, Wisdom, Clarity & Love Through Mantra Practice
The Gayatri Mantra remains the most widely practiced of all the mantras over the eons. By invoking the brilliance of your inner sun, you illuminate and open your heart and mind.
In this opening module, Nina will teach this mantra in the traditional Vedic style, leading you in pronunciation and the use of svaras — or correct notes — for chanting this mantra. You’ll then chant one of the most widely chanted mantras in kirtan, the “Maha Mantra”: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Module 2: Allow Mantras to Ground & Stabilize You & Provide Sustenance as You Connect to Divinity
Obstacles can arise from good as well as bad circumstances, but they should never deter or overpower you. Be like the earth, which supports all living creatures indiscriminately, without distinguishing good from bad. The earth is simply there. Your practice should be strengthened by the difficult situations you encounter, just as a bonfire in a strong wind is not blown out, but blazes even brighter.
— Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche
In India, the Creator as the sustainer is worshiped in the form of Vishnu, also known as Narayana, and his feminine aspect Narayani — the goddess who has many other forms including Bhumi Devi or Mother Earth. Vishnu manifests all the planes of the Universe, unveils its laws, and manifests the universe under these laws.
Narayana — with 1000 heads, eyes, and limbs — is also hidden in the hearts of all beings. Resplendent like a flame, you can visualize him through meditation and ask him for help.
Nina will share some stories about her guru, Sri Siddhi Ma, and other saints as told by devotees. Hearing of these saints is a practice in and of itself and an important part of bhakti yoga, or the yoga of devotion.
You’ll build on the structure of the Gayatri Mantra by chanting the Vishnu Gayatri mantra — from the ancient sacred text — learning the pronunciation and structure. You’ll repeat this mantra 108 times, which is an auspicious number. The repetition of mantra, called japa, helps put an end to samsara — the cycle of birth and death and consequent suffering — and removes all obstructions for liberation from this cycle.
Nina will also lead you in an extended call-and-response kirtan chanting of “Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya” — the mantra that has been emblazoned in Nina’s heart and mind since her visit to Badrinath Temple, a sacred pilgrimage spot in the high Himalayas. It’s meant to invoke the presence of Vishnu/Narayana.
Module 3: Practice Mantras for Long Life & Greater Mental, Emotional, Physical & Spiritual Health
In this session, you’ll review the Gayatri Mantra, which you learned in the first class, and chant 108 repetitions together. You’ll then have a chance to ask questions about this practice.
Nina will also guide you through a kirtan mantra in devotion to White Tara. She learned this practice from the Tibetan spiritual master Garchen Rinpoche, who practiced the dharma from a young age. He’s considered to be an emanation of White Tara and while he’s experienced a great deal of suffering throughout his life, White Tara always came to his aid. Eventually he brought his learnings and teachings to the West out of compassion for all beings.
Module 4: Create an Environment of Auspiciousness to Experience Unfathomable Bliss
What does auspiciousness mean to you, and how do we create an environment of auspiciousness?
In this module, Nina will share about asking for not only what you need on the material level, but also the ability and stamina to do practices in which you wish everyone well. This is called raising bodhichitta — the Buddhist concept of praying with compassion for the awakening of all beings to the reality of life.
You’ll focus on the goddess, the feminine aspect of the Divine — the goddess who is Mother Nature herself and provides for all our needs — in the forms of Lakshmi, Sarasvati, and Durga. The goddess in both the Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist traditions has different names and forms that reflect the light of the multi-faceted jewel that she is. Nina will guide you in kirtan in devotion to these three goddesses.
When you chant the Devi Navaratri Puja, you invoke Durga, whose energy and weapons destroy inner demons. Sarasvati gives the gift of knowledge and practice for purification and enlightenment. And you’ll implore the goddess in her form as Lakshmi to stay for an enduring auspicious environment.
Lakshmi casts the spell of the intoxicating sweetness of the Divine. To be close to her results in profound happiness… and to feel her within your heart is to experience rapture and marvel. Grace, charm, and tenderness flow out from her like a light from the sun — and wherever she fixes her wonderful gaze or offers the loveliness of her smile, the soul is seized, made captive, and plunged into the depths of an unfathomable bliss.
Module 5: Contribute to Your Own Peace & Peace on Earth by Chanting Mantras That Wish Others Well
Nina says that the combination of harmony and alignment dispels fear.
Before we can contribute to any peace-keeping efforts among people, animals, and nature, we first have to find peace within ourselves. This is why we practice.
Practicing together with teachers and community (satsang) helps us along this path. With our combined efforts and energy we help each other — and everyone around us responds synergistically.
Grace is raining down on you all the time, and all you have to do is cup your hands to receive it. By offering gratitude for what you have, you can wish grace and wellbeing for others with love and an open, compassionate heart.
In this closing module, you’ll learn the Mahamrityunjaya Mantra in Vedic style, dedicated to Lord Shiva, the absolute, who liberates our minds so we merge with the Oneness that connects us all. As you chant in devotion to Shiva, you begin to expiate your karma as fruit ripens in the sun, and when ready, releases from the tree with ease.
You’ll also sing Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu, wishing all beings happiness and peace.
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