30 Days of Mantra Moments!

In the month leading up to one of my favourite events of the year -Bhakti Heart Fire – Kirtan Academy – I posted a video of one of the mantras, chants, devotional songs contained in our Heart Fire Manual!
If you would like to join us for this transformative 5 1/2 day immersion into everything Bhakti and Kirtan, please go to: http://devatree.com/calendar/event/317/

Bhajamana Ma Ma Ma
Ananda Mayi Ma Ma,Ananda Rupa Ma Ma

Oh Mind, chant devotion to the Mother.
Divine Mother full of bliss.
Divine Mother, whose form is bliss.

Sri Ma
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shakti Rupena Samstitha Namastasyei Namastasyei Namastasyei Namoh Namah

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Shanti Rupena Samstitha Namastasyei Namastasyei Namastasyei Namoh Namah Namastasyei Namastasyei Namoh Namah

Om Mata Saraswatiyei Om Mata Jagatambe

Sri Ma Jai Ma Jai Jai Ma Sri Ma Jai Ma Jai Jai Ma

“To that Goddess who is established in all beings in the form of the mother, in the form of power (Shakti), in the form of peace (Shanti), salutations to Her again and again”
(From the Devi Mahatmyam)

A song of reverence to the Great Mother, naming Saraswati (Goddess of arts, music, knowledge and wisdom) and Jagatambe (Mother of the Universe, another name for Durga)

“Om Dum Durgayei Namaha”
“Om and Salutations to that feminine energy which protects from all manner of negative influences.”

Durga Mantra explanation on syllables:
* Om – The sound of the universe; The essence of everything; The root of Hinduism itself; Usually begins and ends all Hindu prayers.
* Dum – The seed mantra (sound) of Mata Ji Durga.
* Durgayei – The complete, formal Sanskrit pronunciation of Maa Durga’s name.
* Namaha – In Your essence, we bow to You; In Your presence, only You are recognized.
Chanting Om Dum Durgayei Namaha benefits:
The Goddess is said to have the combined powers of Lakshmi, Saraswati and Kali. This mantra is often used for protection against internal or external negative forces. Also, chanting Durga mantra removes the effect of all types of black magic, unfavorable effect of negative planets, bad luck or health problems.

Kali Durge Namo Namah
Jai Jai Jai Mata Kali
Jai Jai Jai Mata Durgayae
Om Dum Durgayae Namaha
Om Dum Durgayae Namaha

A chant to Kali and Duga, both representations of the Divine Mother.
“To She who liberates the mind from all illusion”
“Victory to Mother Kali! Victory to Mother Durga!”
Om Dum Durgayae Namaha (Mantra of Protection) Another one of the transliterations is: “Salutations to She who is beautiful to the seekers of Truth and terrible in appearance to those who would injure devotees of Truth”

GAYATRI MANTRA

Om Bhur Bhuvaha Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dimahi Diyo Yonah Prachodayat

The Mother of the Vedas

“Salutations to that sacred sound present in the earth, the heavens, and that which is beyond. May the glorious splendor of that Divine life illuminate our meditation”

In his book Sadhana, Sri Swami Shivananda wrote:

“Of all the mantras, the supreme and the most potent power of powers is the great, glorious Gayatri Mantra. It is the support of every seeker after Truth who believes in its efficacy, power and glory, be he of any caste, creed, clime or sect. It is only one’s faith and purity of heart that really count. Indeed, Gayatri is an impregnable spiritual armor, a veritable fortress, that guards and protects its votary, that transforms him into the divine, and blesses him with the brilliant light of the highest spiritual illumination.
… It is universally applicable, for it is nothing but an earnest prayer for Light, addressed to the Supreme Almighty Spirit.
… This single mantra, repeated sincerely and with clear conscience, brings the supreme good.”

ANANDAMAYI (mantra by Sri Aurobindo, adapted by B. McMorrow)

Om Anandamayi Chaitanyamayi Satyamayi Parameshwari

“OM, O supreme Goddess who art all bliss, consciousness and truth of being” Ananda: Bliss. Chaitanya: Consciousness. Satya: Truth

LOKA SAMASTA SUKINO BHAWANTU

“May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.”

From Sharon Gannon:

Lokah: location, realm, all universes existing now

Samasta: all beings sharing that same location
Sukhino: centered in happiness and joy, free from suffering

Bhav: the divine mood or state of unified existence

antu: may it be so, it must be so (antu used as an ending here transforms this mantra into a powerful pledge)

OM GAM GANAPATAYE NAMAHA
“I offer my love and devotion to Sri Ganesha; please grant me success in my noble endeavor”

Asato Ma Sat Gamaya
Tomaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya
Mrityurmamritam Gamaya
“Lead me from ignorance to understanding as from obscurity to light. Lead me from the non-being to true being, from darkness to light, from death to immortality. Om Peace, Peace, Peace”

Om Krim Kali Kayei Namaha
“Om and Salutations to the Primordial feminine energy”

Om Eim Saraswatiyei Namaha
Om and Salutations to the feminine Saraswati Principle. (Mantra for success in Education, Music and Artistic endeavors)

Maha Mrityunjaya
OM. Tryambakam yajamahe
Sugandhim pushti-vardhanam
Urvarukamiva bandhanan
Mrityor mukshiya mamritat
“The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra restores health and happiness and brings calmness in the face of death. When courage or determination are blocked, it rises up to overcome obstacles. It awakens a healing force that reaches deep into the body and mind.
Just as a plant patiently gathers nutrients from the soil, so healing and nourishing forces enter the human body through foods, medicines, supportive emotions, and encouraging thoughts. The Maha Mrityunjaya mantra attracts these forces and creates an inner environment to enhance their effectiveness. Thus the mantra can be used whenever any restorative process is undertaken.” From Yoga International

OM TARE TUTARE TURE SWAHA

An invocation to Tara, the female counterpart of Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of compassion. The Tara is pictured many – armed, symbolizing the powers and attributes she has cultivated to save all sentient beings.

OM SHRIM MAHA LAKSHMIYEI SWAHA
JAI JAI MA JAI MA JAI MA JAI MA JAI MA

“OM AND SALUTATIONS TO SHE WHO MANIFESTS EVERY KIND OF ABUNDANCE – PRAISES TO THE DIVINE FEMININE. VICTORY TO THE DIVINE FEMININE!”

SRI RAM JAI RAM JAI JAI RAMA
SITA RAM SITA RAM JAI JAI SITA RAM
RAMA RAMA SITA RAMA RAMA RAMA SITA RAMA

“Glory to Sita and Ram” A song to Lord Rama and his beloved Sita
Jai or Jay = Glory to, Victory to
Sri = a term of reverence at the beginning of a name
“May the Divine as Light and virtue that dwells in my heart be victorious over all (internal and external) obstacles and difficulty”

OM Shri Hanumate Namaha:

I bow to Hanuman for protection from dark forces & for healing energy. Hanuman is the symbol of devotion & selfless action.
“I bow to the son of the wind-god, the beloved devotee of Sri Rama, the chief of the monkeys, the repository of all virtues, the foremost among the wise, a fire to consume the forest of the demon race, possessing a body shining as a mountain of gold and a home of immeasurable strength.” ~ Ramayana (Tulsi Das)

AHAM PREMA
“I am Divine Love”

Durga Mantra:
OM Eim Hrim Klim Chamundayei Vicche Namaha

“OM and Salutations to She who is Radiant with power and wisdom”

MAHA MANTRA
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

The GREAT manta
“A spiritual call to the Divine”
“‘Hare’ is the power or energy of Krishna (Radha/Shakti)”

GANESHAYA NAMOH NAMAH
JAYA JAYA VINAYAKA
SRI SRI JAI SRI
JAI SRI GANAPATI

OM GUNG GANAPATAYEI NAMAHA

“Salutations to the remover of obstacles. This sound formula assists us in the removal of obstacles. In order for that to happen there is no need to know the exact nature of the hindrances. Just the awareness and recognition that there are obstacles and then chanting this mantra with the intention for resolve is enough. This mantra unifies us within.
When there is oneness there are no obstacles. This mantra is also used for the beginning of any endeavor. Whenever we start anything and we can bless the project with the energy of Ganesh through this mantra”

Guru Brahma, Guru Vishnu, Guru devo Maheshwara, Guru sakshat, param Brahma, tasmai shri guravay namah
“Our creation is that guru (Brahma-the force of creation); the duration of our lives is that guru (Vishnu-the force of preservation); our trials, tribulations, illnesses, calamities and the death of the body is that guru (devo Maheshwara-the force of destruction or transformation). There is a guru nearby (Guru Sakshat) and a guru that is beyond the beyond (param Brahma). I make my offering (tasmai) to the beautiful (shri) remover of my darkness, my ignorance; (Guru) it is to you I bow and lay down my life (namah).” Thank you Jivamukti Yoga for this explanation.

Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya
“Salutations to the Indweller who is omnipresent, omnipotent, immortal and divine.
This mantra is called the Great Liberation Twelve-Syllable Mantra.
It frees our minds and spirits from negative patterns in this life.
Vasudeva is the individual aspect of God that dwells inside of us.”

OM MANI PADME HUM (Buddhist Mantra)

“The jewel is in the lotus” or “Praise to the jewel in the lotus”

“The six syllables, om mani padme hum, mean that in dependence on the practice of a path which is an indivisible union of method and wisdom, you can transform your impure body, speech, and mind into the pure exalted body, speech and mind of a Buddha.”

OM SHANTI
Om Peace


SHANTI MANTRA

OM Sahana Vavatu
Sahanau Bhunaktu
Saha Viryam Karavavahai
Tejasvi Navaditamastu
Ma Vidvishavahai
OM Shanti Shanti Shantihi

OM, may we all be protected. May we all be nourished. May we work together with great energy. May our studies be enlightening. Let us not give rise to enmity. OM, peace (within), peace (with each other), peace (universal).

Aum gum shreem maha lakshmi yei namaha
“Aum means pure force. Gum means removal of obstacles. Shreem is the sound of abundance. Maha symbolizes the increase of energy. Lakshmi yei represents purpose. And Namaha represents completion.”

Om Namah Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya Om Namah Shivaya Shivaya Namah Om
“I bow to Shiva.” Shiva is the supreme reality, the inner Self. It is the name given to consciousness that dwells in all. Shiva is the name of your true identity- your self.”


OM SHRI GANESHAYA NAMAHA
A chant to Ganesh, the remover of obstacles!

Om Namah Shivaya Gurave

Saccidananda Murtaye

Nisprapancaya Shantaya

Niralambaya Tejase

“I offer myself to the Light, who is the True Teacher

within and without (the teacher of all teachers),

Who assumes the forms of

Reality, Consciousness and Bliss,

Who is never absent and is full of peace,

Independent in its existence,

It is the vital essence of illumination.”

PERU RETREAT! Oct. 26 – Nov. 1, 2014

Kirtan Retreat Banner for Website 1 - Blank

Kirtan, Yoga and Story in the Sacred Valley

Join John de Kadt and Brenda McMorrow with Katie Campbell for a magnificent week long journey into Peru. This retreat takes place in the Sacred Valley of the Andes Mountains and includes enlivening and enchanting daily yoga, kirtan and storytelling. We will be treated to delicious vegetarian food and cleansing juices, as well as unforgettable trips to sacred sites including Machu Picchu and beyond.

We will reside at the beautiful Illa Wasi Retreat Center, tucked into the Urubamba mountains with accommodations in traditional round Incan buildings. We will be near sacred ancient sites and Incan ruins including one of the wonders of the world – Machu Picchu.

This retreat will include Bhakti yoga chanting sessions with Brenda and John, evening Kirtan under the stars and storytelling that will weave a tapestry of ancient myths throughout the week. Each day Katie Campbell will offer a wonderful yoga class. We will be served delicious, fresh food grown naturally right here in the Valley and juicing can be a part of your daily experience if you wish. Together we will journey to these auspicious and powerful Incan ruins and sites as part of our cleansing, rejuvenating and inspiring week in the Peruvian Andes.

Various accommodations are available depending on your preference. $1950-$2400 all included other than airfare.

For More information please contact:

Eleonora: aleya@aleyajourneys.com Aleya Journeys: info@aleyajourneys.com www.aleyajourneys.com

Brenda: ameyamusic@gmail.com www.brendamcmorrowmusic.com

John: johndekadt@gmail.com www.johndekadt.com

Katie: kbyogalife@gmail.com www.katiecampbellyoga.com

Bhakti Heart Fire: The Yoga of Spirit & Song – 50-hr Chanting Immersion – November 22-24 and December 6-8, 2013

Image

50-hr Cross-Disciplinary Chanting Immersion With

Brenda McMorrow, B.Ed, RYT

This training is an elective 50 hour course within the DevaTree School of Yoga 500 hour Yoga Teacher Training.  It is also open to participants who are not working towards their 500 hours and who are interested in an in-depth chanting immersion.

At its most basic and universal level, Bhakti can be defined as an expression of love or devotion. Anyone who has experienced the spontaneous heart-expanding effects of chant understands that the Bhakti Bhav (mood) is a sweet, pure and expansive feeling not easily described in words. Like our physical yoga practice, devotional chanting has the power to create healing shifts in the body, mind and Spirit. Acting like a tuning fork for the entire system, chanting can help us clear blocked energy and open us up to the Universal frequency of compassion, expansion, trust, and love.

Experience the benefits of mantra repetition as applied to chanting and meditation, and learn common Sanskrit & yogic chants and their meanings. Participants will gain insight into traditional deities, stories, myths and practices, and their application to our modern lives.

Learn about the typical instruments used for Kirtan, and explore the possibilities of creative chant composition at your own comfort level.

No musical ability and/or training is required for this program, as all students will have opportunities to nurture their own unique chanting voice in a supportive atmosphere of like-hearted others.

Brenda’s personal stories, humor and revelations from her own path and worldwide travels light up these two weekends of brilliant Bhakti bliss!

 

Dates:

The schedule includes two 3-day weekends: November 22-24 and December 6-8, 2013

 

Cost:

$925 CAD + tax

 

For more information and to register, go to: http://devatree.com/calendar/event/137/

A blessed evening with Snatam Kaur and David Newman

I’m revelling in the blessings that are abounding, like having the opportunity to sing with two magical inspirations on my devotional music path – Snatam Kaur and David Newman!ImageIn Boulder, Co, February 2, 2013 with Philippo Franchini, Snatam Kaur, Brenda McMorrow, Emy Berti, David Newman and Ramesh KannanImageSinging “Long Time Sun” with Snatam Kaur. Pure Bliss.

Full Lotus Kirtan Show interview w/ Brenda about “Love Abounds”, the Bhakti Yoga journey and more…

 

 

To listen, click here: Full Lotus Kirtan Radio Interview with Brenda McMorrow