Creating The Reality You Want -
Through The Scientific Application of Prayer, Affirmation and Mantra.
Introduction
It is a realisation many are finding that we create our reality through our thoughts. I am going to demonstrate by scientific methods that our external world is a reflection of our internal, both individually and collectively. Everything we see, feel, or experience is a result of the law of cause and effect. Our past thoughts and actions have created our present reality. Empowerment comes with the knowledge that our present thoughts and actions create the future. If we create our world, then what has gone wrong ?
Due to the hypnotism of the sensory world (fulfilling the desires of the eyes, taste etc.) most people have lost contact with their divine nature, the spark of God that is the core of our being. It is the recovery of this, the Holy Grail of Life, that will ultimately set us free. When we act in accordance with divine will our suffering ends because our reality is created by these thoughts. Harmonious living will give a harmonious life. If, however, we live in ignorance of the divine we remain under the influence of past karma or actions and our habitual thoughts of limitation. To break free from this cycle effective, proven techniques are required.
Prayer, affirmation and mantra are scientific methods based on the laws which govern the universe. Just as physical laws are discoverable in the external world, so the subtle laws of consciousness are discoverable to the scientist of consciousness, the Yogi. One of the greatest modern Yogi’s, Paramahansa Yogananda, left a legacy of scientific techniques for Self-realisation. His teachings on prayer, affirmation and mantra have dispelled much of the superstition surrounding these practises and given people practical tools to create the reality their soul yearns for.
Prayer
Many people look upon prayer as an ineffective exercise in wishful thinking. Yet proper prayer is scientific as it is based on the laws of creation. This physical world, including our bodies and all matter, is a condensation of invisible patterns of energy. This energy is in turn an expression of finer blueprints of thought, the subtlest vibration which governs all energy and matter. Creation was brought into being by God first in thought or idea form. Then this vibration was condensed into light and energy, and then into the grosser vibration of matter.
As spiritual beings, we have the same freedom over the power of creating through thought and energy. Our thoughts send out magnetic vibrations which form our reality. We create the reality we ask for, and prayer works upon this principle. By tuning our consciousness with the thought patterns of God: health, harmony, and perfection we can then use our will to materialise these thoughts.
The strength of our will power is a major factor in our success in life. Will is the driving force behind manifestation as our efforts are directly reflected in the results we achieve. Prayer allows us to expand our often limited human will to the unlimited will of God. Success comes when we ask for it. As Jesus said "Ask and it shall be given to you."
Another factor which determines the effectiveness of our prayer is the condition of our mind. Yogananda often compared the mind to a radio, its ability to send out and receive messages was dependant upon being freed from the disturbances of "static" or restlessness. Because of this, many people’s mental radios are in need of repair. Concentration and meditation techniques are the mechanism to achieve a perfect mind. The following is a quote from Swami Vivekananda:
"If you are perfectly pure and practise faithfully your mind can finally be made a searchlight of infinite power. There is no limit to its scope."
When you pray bear two things in mind. Firstly do so as a child of God, not as a beggar. You have a divine right to love, harmony, and health. Secondly, pray with a real yearning in your heart. Do not pray with your mind distracted by other things but from the depths of your being. For these reasons prayer will be most effective following deep meditation, where we are attuned with God.
Our individual prayers are not only beneficial to our lives but to the lives of all. The collective mind creates our collective reality, and all wars, oppression and cataclysms are the result of human transgression to divine laws. They are the result of the thoughts and actions of man. Our prayers and other spiritual practises help enormously to redress the imbalances and disharmony in the world. As we experience higher consciousness all around us are positively effected. By changing ourselves we change the world. Anchoring peaceful and loving vibrations through our lives is the highest service we can do to humanity, so begin scientific prayer today.
Affirmation
The principles behind the practise of scientific affirmation are similar to prayer. Affirmation is the stating of an intention, whereas most prayer tends to be a request. It works by the repetition of an idea we would like to make part of our lives. It is easiest to illustrate by an example. Let us say I become very fearful in some situations and wish to overcome it. I would affirm:
"I am fearless; I am made of the substance of God. Fear is no part of me."
Affirmation is particularly effective because it works by stating what we truly are, it doesn’t suggest weakness, it encourages strength. In essence we are spirt-soul, one with God. We are pure love, harmony, peace, health, and bliss. All weaknesses, impurity, and limitation is due to the illusion of the ego - the delusion that separation exists between each of us and creation. All negative emotions, habits and actions have their root in this delusive separation. Affirmation overcomes this separation by the firm intention of what we really are.
It is best to practise affirmations just after waking in the morning, and just before sleep to impress the subconscious mind with the reality creating intention. However, use affirmation whenever you feel it is needed. It is suggested you pick a suitable affirmation and after a deep breath repeat it loudly, then softly, then silently, keeping deep concentration of its vibration. Yogananda said of affirmation:
"Sincere words or affirmations repeateded understandingly, feelingly, and willingly are sure to move the Omnipresent Cosmic Vibratory Force to render aid in your difficulty."
Mantra
Prayer and affirmation both use sound vibration, whether it is audible and felt through the physical ear, or silent and transmitted through the mental ear. Yet many of the greatest teachers claim that mantra is the most potent use of words to create reality.
Mantra is a mystic symbol encased in sound as a word or series of words which represent an aspect of God. The Indian Puranas (scriptures) assert that there is no difference between God and His holy name. Mantra therefore is a "password" to elevated consciousness. The origins of magical words in fairy tales such as "abracadabra" where locked doors would mysteriously open have their origin in the power of mantra.
All mantra, in fact all vibration in creation is from the Word, known in the India scritures as Aum (OM). From this sacred symbol creation came, and all sound being a part of Aum has materialising power when spoken with realisation and deep concentration.
The most popular exponent of mantra in recent times is Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, founder of the Transendental Meditation (T.M.) movement. The name of this organisation indicates the effect of mantra, the meaning of the Sanskrit is to transcend the mind, leaving behind the limited ego and merging with the infinite soul. A useful illustration of how mantra works is by comparing the mind to a pool of water. The depths of the mind are obscured by many fish (restless thoughts). The mantra is like a pebble dropped into the pool which makes the fish disperse allowing a clear view of the bottom. Within the depths of the pool the pearls of Self-realisation are found.
Mantra can be repeated audibly, silently with lip movement, or mentally. All are effective, but remember the goal of mantra is a transcendent state of consciousness.
If you wish to take advantage of the transforming power of mantra choose something you like the sound and feel of. My personal favouites are to chant the Gayatri, "Om Namah Shivaya," or the sacred "Om."
Treat the repetition of mantra with respect and reverance and practise regularly with deep concentration to achieve success in Self-realisation.
Conclusion
This brief explanation of prayer, affirmation and mantra has been written to give people simple but effective tools to achieve freedom from bondage to the limitation and suffering brought about by the illusion we are separate from God. Always remember that you create your reality, so begin to create the reality you really want. The power lies with you.
References and Further Reading
Worldwide Prayer Circle - Self Realisation Fellowship
Scientific Healing Affirmations - Paramahansa Yogananda
The Science of Self-Realisation - Swami Prabhupada
Autobiography of a Yogi - Paramahansa Yogananda
Meditation - Ramakrishna Order
Psychosomatic Yoga - J. Mumford
Yoga: Mind & Body - Sivananda