Satsang 5 Benefits of Chanting

8/3/2019 Satsang 5 Benefits of Chanting

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Satsang5


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Meaning of Satsang

Satsang= Sat + Sang

Satsangrefers to company of God or an environment favourable toexperience the company of God

Absolute Truth Company


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Topic Minutes Time mins

Prayer and chanting (chanting as per religion) 5

Introduction of new seekers and short summary of what we do 5

Theoretical discussion topic 20

Clarification of doubts 15

Narration of spiritual experiences 10

Spiritual viewpoints on how a seeker deals with issues in life

(positive and negative) 10

Evaluation of spiritual practice (how much and any obstacles) 8

Discussion of mistakes made by seekers and learning from them 10

Planning of sadhanaand sevafor the next week 5

Gratitude 2

Total 90


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Planning of sadhana and seva for the next week 5

Gratitude 2

Total 90


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Chanting

The foundation of spiritual practice in the current era

Chanting simply means repetition of the Name of God.

It is the recommended foundation of spiritual practice in the current era.

Chant the name of God according to religion of your birth - We are born into

that religion which is most conducive to begin our spiritual practice.


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Prayers can be along the lines of:

Lord please help me to imbibe maximum from this satsang so

that I may grow spiritually.

Please insulate me from any negative energy that can affect my

ability to comprehend and imbibe spiritual knowledge


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Chanting according to religion of birth

Buddhist Om Manipadme hum, Namo Buddhaya

Christian Roman Catholic: Hail Mary

Anglican and other Christian denominations: Hail Jesus

The family deitys Name or if one does not know the family deity thenone needs to chant Sree Kuldevtayai namahaa.

Method of repeating (chanting) the family deitys Name: Sree should

prefix the Name of the family deity, the Name that follows should be

in dative case (chaturthi pratyay) and should conclude withnamahaa.

For instance, if the family deity is

> Ganesh then Sree Ganeshaya namahaa

> Bhavani, then Sree Bhavanimatayai namahaa or SreeBhavanidevyai namahaa

Hindu


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Islam Ya Allah, Allah hu Akbar, Rahim etc.

Jain Navakar Mantra (Om Namo Arihantanam)

Jehovah, Yahweh, Adonai or one of the many Names of God as per

Judaism

Jew

Sikh Vahe Guru, Shri Vahe Guru, Sukhmani Saheb, Japaji Saheb

Zoroastrian There are 101 Names. The seeker is asked to chant the Name

corresponding to the number obtained in meditation.


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Islam Ya Allah, Allah hu Akbar, Rahim etc.

Jain Navakar Mantra (Om Namo Arihantanam)

Jehovah, Yahweh, Adonai or one of the many Names of God as per

Judaism

Jew

Sikh Vahe Guru, Shri Vahe Guru, Sukhmani Saheb, Japaji Saheb

Zoroastrian There are 101 Names. The seeker is asked to chant the Name

corresponding to the number obtained in meditation.


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Some tips on Chanting

Any time and any place

Increase quantity of chanting Be regular with your chanting

Chant in whichever way

you are comfortable with


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Narration of spiritual experiences (as per level) 10






Gratitude 2

Total 90


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About us - Aim

The aim of the Spiritual Science Research Foundation (SSRF) and the objectives of

this website

1. To educate humanity on the spiritual dimension and how it affects our

lives.

2. To provide people with tools for: Knowledge: Understanding the spiritual dimension.

Experience: Experiencing the spiritual dimension.

Problem Solving: Understanding and overcoming problems where

the root cause is spiritual in nature. Happiness: Achieving everlasting happiness.

Having said this, SSRF gives prior ity to guiding seekers with intense desire for God-

realisation rather than just creating curiosity in the minds of millions about the unknownsubtle realm.


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Introducing ourselves and getting to know each other

Tell us about yourself:

Name Your current spiritual practice

One thing that you want on your spiritual journey


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Gratitude 2

Total 90


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Benefits of chantingBenefits of chanting

Topic of discussion


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A quick recap from last satsang:

Chanting helps to purify ourmindby reducing the impressions and

establishing a Devotion centre

Mind = Feelings, emotions and desires

Impressions = Any repeated thought or action forms an impression,

example of a beaten track forming a pathway

Centre = Categories of impressions that are classified under centres such

as like and dislikes, temperament, give-and-take etc.

Topic of discussion Benefits of Chanting


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The effect of the spiri tual practice of chanting


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Special features of Chanting

Continuity in Spiritual practice can be accomplished best through

chanting.

Worldly talk increases the impressions in the sub-conscious mind. It

makes the speech spiritually impure. Hence chanting should be done

forpurification of the mind. The brilliance generated by chanting

the Name destroys the impurities of the mind


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As a therapy in psychiatric illnesses

Introversion and introspection

Developing a liking for chanting and purification of the sub-conscious mind

Reduction of impressions

Increase in concentration Physical benefits resulting from tranquility of the mind

Control over the 6 foes and reduction of worldly problems

Topic of Discussion Benefits of chanting


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Acts as a spiritual remedy

Internal purification and purification of speech Development of faith and devotion

Increase in merits and reduction in sins

Overcoming destiny and ancestral problems

Dissolution of ego

Benefits even after death

Topic of Discussion Benefits of chanting


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Narration of spiritual experiences 10Spiritual viewpoints on how a seeker deals with issues in life





Gratitude 2

Total 90


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Clarification of doubts

Q. How can I overcome ill feelings/reactions that I have for certain people?1. Feelings or reactions are due to deep rooted impressions in our mind

based on give-and-take, reactions, our likes, dislikes, temperament, etc.

2. Consistent & regular spiritual practice such as chanting is the best way tobring about complete purification of the mind and permanently overcome

such reactions.

3. Make conscious efforts to reduce reactions by first increasing the

awareness of your thoughts. This can be done by regular monitoring of

ones chanting and noting why we react in those situations, how long the

reaction lasts, etc.


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Q. How can I overcome ill feelings/reactions that I have for certain people?

Focus on spiritual practice rather than just trying to overcome ones

shortcomings.

Strengthen your spiritual practice with regular satsang of otherseekers if

available and if not, that of Holy books, spiritual texts and audio/video tapes,

etc. whilst making conscious efforts to overcome ill feelings. Gradually any

ill feelings will disappear automatically.


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Due to the constant flow of thoughts, most of which are unnecessary, the mind is

constantly restless, thus depriving us of a peaceful state.

Majority of these thoughts stem from sub-conscious impressions.

For dissolution of all these impressions from the subconscious mind & in order to

attain peace, the aim should beto have only God's Name in our mind.

Spiritual practice of chanting reduces & ultimately eliminates the undesirable

impressions in the sub-conscious mind, effectively imparting peace of the mind.

Q. Can spiri tual practice help me to attain peace of mind? How?


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Gratitude 2

Total 90


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Narration of Spiritual experiences

Definition: An experience that is beyond the understanding of the five

senses, mind and intellect. Many ways - For example subtle smell.

Spiritual experiences are Gods way of encouraging us. Spiritual experiences enhance our faith.

Sharing spiritual experiences inspires others to do spiritual practice.


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Experiencing sandalwood fragrance without any external source

I had recently undergone intensive Ayurvedic treatment.

During the treatment I had not been able to speak to other

seekers & missed being in satsang. When I was feeling

slightly better, I switched on the computer and began to read a

few articles on the SSRF website. While reading the article on

the reason for difficulties in life, I had an immense feeling ofgratitude emerge within me. I thought that due to the Guru, we

had access to this spiritual knowledge, which equipped us to

understand and deal with difficult situations in life.

As I was feeling this immense gratitude, I began to get thefragrance of sandalwood and also could subtly taste it. There

was neither any incense burning at the time nor any other

cause for the fragrance. Almost immediately tears of spiritual

emotion welled up in my eyes and I experienced a superlative

form of happiness in me that lasted for almost half an hour.


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(positive and negative)10




Gratitude 2

Total 90


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Spiritual view point on life issues

Obstacles mainly arise as the importance of spiritual practice is not completely

understood. Our personality defects are also responsible.

They can be overcome by regular spiritual practice, satsang and study whichhelp in building a firm conviction about Spirituality.

Till such conviction is built, use short-term measures to overcome

procrastination. For example

Plan to do only as much spiritual practice as can be reasonably completed and

maintained every day.

I often tend to procrastinate in my spiritual practice what can I do to overcome it?


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Spiritual view point on life issues

Try to increase it step wise once a certain minimum amount of spiritual practice is

done daily.

List a few key points that motivate to do spiritual practice &read them few times a

day at pre decided intervals, like on waking up, after meals, after returning home

from work, etc.

Just as we push ourself to do our daily duties like going to work, regardless ofobstacles like not feeling up to it physically or psychologically, we should push

ourself to do our daily spiritual practice.

I often tend to procrastinate in my spiritual practice what can I do to overcome it?


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Gratitude 2

Total 90


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Evaluation of spiri tual practice

Is it as per the basic principles?

Am I doing it on a daily basis?

Am I regular, consistent and honest?

Do I introspect?

Has there been any change in me or the way I deal with

situations in life?


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Evaluation of spiri tual practice How & what do i introspect?

Introspection should be done on a daily basis rather than a weekly or a

monthly basis.

Devote each day at least 10 minutes initially for introspectionand be honest.

Increase the introspection time step by step.

Points to introspect on what spiritual practice did I do today? for example chanting, reading holy texts etc.

Did I utilise my available time efficiently? for example - I had 2 hours of free

time but I used only 15 minutes of that for chanting. why?

Have I done something better than yesterday or last week with regards tomy spiritual practice if not what were the reasons? What am I going to do

overcome my obstacles?

Did I have any reactions today?


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Gratitude 2

Total 90


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Common mistake Not asking questions or clarifying doubts

Possible reasons thinking what will people think about me, shy nature etc.

Only the curious are deserving of Knowledge. Asking questions not only quells

our doubts, but also increases our curiosity/learning attitude &thus, expedites our

spiritual progress. Spiritual practice does not become smooth unless doubts are clarified.

Our questions not only benefit us in our individual spiritual practice, but also other

seekers or attendees benefit from the learning. It also encourages them to seekclarification on their doubts and participate more in the satsang.

One should note that one benefits maximum from asking spiritual practice-oriented

questions as opposed to worldly or intellectual questions.


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Gratitude 2

Total 90


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Planning for spiritual practice

Time available during the day

Time utilised for spiritual practice

Obstacles faced

Introspection of daily efforts


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Paying gratitude

Whenever one thinks about the self and / or the world, unconsciously

harbouring awareness of God or one of His forms and offering thecredit

for even this awareness to God, is termed as gratitude

Gratitude is a means of offering the doership of an act to God, hence it

helps in reducing the ego.


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Satsang 5 Benefits of Chanting