ॐ पूर्णमदः पूर्णमिदं पूर्णात्पुर्णमुदच्यते
पूर्णस्य पूर्णमादाय पूर्णमेवावशिष्यते ॥
ॐ शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः ॥
Om poornamadah poornamidam Poornaat poornamudachyate Poornasya poornamaadaya Poornamevaa vashishyate.
Om Shaantih Shaantih Shaantih
(Listen to the Ravi Shankar version here.)
Meaning:
Om, That (Outer World) is Purna (Full with Divine Consciousness); This (Inner World) is also Purna (Full with Divine Consciousness); From Purna comes Purna (From the Fullness of Divine Consciousness the World is manifested) ,
Taking Purna from Purna, Purna Indeed Remains (Because Divine Consciousness is Non-Dual and Infinite).
Om Peace, Peace, Peace.
We are made from Divine Consciousness. We are made from the same stuff as the stars and planets. In yogic tantric literature, the Divine so wanted to experience itself in every possible incarnation that it manifested as you and me and everything else in our material world. This descent of how the “One” becomes the many is described as the 36 Tattvas. These describe the principles of existence and of consciousness becomes matter. Basically, it describes how we came to be.
It is one thing to learn about us all “being one”. It is quite another thing to experience it. We all have moments in our lives where we feel that we are connected; that we have the insight into a deeper part of ourselves and we perceive that oneness. More often, though, we feel separate and different. This experience of differentiation comes from a power called Maya, or illusion. Maya has three ways in which it operates; the three Malas. They are:
1. Anava Mala
Creating feelings of unworthiness, the source of incompleteness we experience. It gives rise to feelings of insecurity and sadness. Connected to the heart.
2. Mayiya Mala
Perception of difference, separateness between us and the world. Creates comparison to others. It gives rise to feelings of jealousy and anger. Connected to the mind.
3. Karma Mala
The capacity for limited activity, the feeling of inability to act, not doing enough. It gives rise to feelings of worry and fear. Connected to the body.
These Malas are part of our existence, part of the fabric of who we are. As such, there is no need to get upset about it or even trying to “rid” ourselves from these perceptions. Yoga can teach us to become observant when these Malas come up. We cultivate the power of discernment to help us see that even though we feel a certain way, it is not who we are. With this increased awareness, we work with the Malas and not against them and we will be able to see ourselves as we truly are: Pure Consciousness.
This mantra is meant to help us connect to that sense of “Oneness”.
Here is another beautiful recording of the mantra for your listening pleasure!
This reading from Louise Hay seems to go perfectly with this mantra:
In the infinity of life where I am, all is perfect,
whole and complete and yet life is ever changing.
There is no beginning and no end,
only a constant cycling and recycling
of substance and experiences.
Life is never stuck or static or stale,
for each moment is ever new and fresh.
I am one with the very Power that created me and this Power
has given me the power to create my own circumstances.
I rejoice in the knowledge that I have the power
of my own mind to use in any way I choose.
Every moment of life is a new beginning point
as we move from the old. This moment is a new point
of beginning for me right here and right now.
All is well with my world.
from You can Heal Your Life by Louise L. Hay. You can download a pdf version of the book here.