Darshan of Swami Krishnananda in 1999

by Swami Krishnananda

45. Om Mantra Is Best

(Darshan given in November 1999)

A visitor: Meditation for people in the West.

Swamiji: I have no West and East. I see only the world before me. Everyone is a human being. West or East – I never make such distinctions. The hunger of the Westerner is the same as the hunger of the Easterner. The Easterner has got two eyes. The Westerner also has two eyes. I don't like to make this distinction. But anyway, if you want to make the distinction, okay. Now what does the Westerner want actually? How does he meditate?

Visitor: Normally they always consider meditation as coming from India, Japan or other countries.

Swamiji: Meditation does not come from India. It comes from the heart.

Visitor: Yes. So they asked me very often, “What type of meditation can we find, can we use here in the West? Should we find a Guru from here or another country and ask for initiation?”

Swamiji: You will not find a Guru. You give up that idea.

Visitor: So the question is, what type of meditation can be used for everybody?

Swamiji: You tell me. You know Westerners very well. What type of meditation actually will fit them?

Visitor: What we can see is that they get benefits of tranquillity of the mind by sitting, concentrating on breathing.

Swamiji: No. What kind of meditation are you suggesting?

Visitor: Well, most people have learned under the title of mantra meditation from the Transcendental Meditation.

Swamiji: What is mantra meditation?

Visitor: They get a mantra, and it's a japa form of meditation, Transcendental Meditation.

Swamiji: Okay, okay. That is very good. They can continue.

Visitor: Normally, especially in our country, only a few institutions provide these mantras, or sell these mantras. They ask a lot of money for that.

Swamiji: Mantras cannot be sold.

Visitor: That's also our idea.

Swamiji: It's not a market commodity. Who is selling mantras?

Visitor: Well, in Transcendental Meditation they ask a lot, and we are discouraged about that.

Swamiji: You mean the mantra that is sold has less effect than the mantra that is not sold? Do you feel like that?

Visitor: Yes, of course. And the question is, can they be safely used?

Swamiji: Om meditation is very good. That is the best. Om is the best, not some other.

Visitor: And Soham meditation?

Swamiji: Om, only Om. Don't say Soham and all that. [Swamiji chants Om.] Feel this vibration is expanding in a circular way until it reaches the high skies. It is the vibrations produced by the name which is supposed to be the name of God Himself. Om is the name of God. But you must chant it beautifully, sonorously, with feeling, as if you are singing a musical note – beautiful, beautiful. Om is the best.

Visitor: Should it be repeated loudly or silently?

Swamiji: [Swamiji again chants Om.] Like this, neither silent nor very loud. Medium. You must do it independently by yourself, not in the... You can do it in a satsanga also. Many people join together, do this. [Swamiji again chants Om.] The whole hall will vibrate. Suppose there are a hundred people sitting and chanting simultaneously, it vibrates, like this, and you will feel so happy, healthy, beautiful. Om mantra is the best, I think.

Visitor: Thank you very much for answering my question.