Question

I suffered from mental anxiety and heart palpitations from the year 2009. From then I tried different yoga and meditations. I get benefited from that for some time but after some time like 6 months, I again suffered from the same mental problems and heart palpitations which did not allow me to practice meditation. For that, I was thinking of taking mantra initiation so that by practicing mantra meditation I can change my personality. I have been practicing some mantras but I am not able to find out that which mantra will be suited to me. Please help me and guide me.

Answers

Stephen Parker (Stoma) and Carolyn Hume have answered this question.

Stephen Parker (Stoma)

You have done well using your yoga practice to deal with anxiety. It is one of the most effective strategies there is for many reasons, both spiritual and physiological. For many people, this is an ongoing process that has better times and worse times, even with a mantra initiation.

A mantra initiation is an intuitive process where the “choice” of a mantra is up to the intangible guru-force which moves through the initiator. It isn’t made on an intellectual basis. We sit together in meditation within a common mind-field, a gentle request is made to the guru and then whatever mantra comes clear is what is given. If I know the person ahead of time, I may have an opinion about which mantra would be good for them, but when it comes to initiation, my opinion doesn’t count. I must pass along only what we are given. Sometimes the person recognizes that it is a sound with which they are already familiar. This may indicate that they have brought that mantra into this life with them and it is being reinforced.

What is most important is that the intangible link to the guru is established and/or strengthened in the process of initiation which makes it possible for the guru to use that mantra from within the mind of the disciple to guide them. Ultimately, one’s ātman is the guru and the process of initiation and mantra meditation helps to awaken and fortify that presence within your mind. An external guide simply assists that process until the inner voice is clear.

Carolyn Hume

While it is true that heart palpitations can be caused by anxiety, it is also possible for there to be an underlying medical condition, such as thyroid problems, arrhythmia, atrial fibrillation….  So you may want to consult a medical doctor to confirm or eliminate these as possible causes.
Taking a foundation course in our tradition and learning or practicing some of the practices under the guidance of a teacher, completing a course of classes in breathing, sitting, and other preparations of yoga meditation with the teachers may be helpful.  This could be a preparatory step towards mantra initiation. Preparations include: Joints and Glands Exercises, training the legs, sitting correctly: with a straight spine, relaxation procedures, diaphragmatic breathing, breath awareness, and breath awareness with so-ham.

Editor’s Note

If you have any questions about your spiritual practice, you may write to the AHYMSIN Spiritual Committee at adhyatmasamiti@gmail.com.