Maya refers to the illusionary nature of the material world. According to this belief, Maya is the veil of illusion that conceals the true nature of reality, leading individuals to perceive the world as separate from the divine or ultimate reality. Maya is seen as a cosmic illusion created by the mind, which distorts and colors our perception of the world, causing us to mistake the transient and ever-changing world for the ultimate truth. The goal of spiritual practice is to transcend Maya and perceive the underlying unity and oneness of all existence.

Transliteration

Mayraa man lochai gur darshan taa-ee
Bilap karay chaatrik kee ni-aa-ee
Trikhaa na utarai Shaant na aavai
Bin Darshan Sant pi-aaray jee-o
Hao Gholee jee-o ghol ghumaa-ee
Gur darshan sant pi-aaray jee-o

Tayraa much suhaavaa jee-o sahaj dhun baanee
Chir ho-aa daykhay saaring paanee
Dhan so days jahaa too(n) vasi-aa
Mayray sajan meet muraaray jee-o
Hao gholee hao ghol ghumaa-ee
Gur sajan meet muraaray jee-o

Ik gharee na milatay taa kalijug hotaa
Hun kad milee-ai pri-a tudh bhagavantaa
Mo-eh rain na vihaavai need na aavai
Bin daykhay gur darbaaray jee-o
Hao gholee jee-o ghol ghumaa-ee
Tis sachay gur darbaaray jee-o

Bhaag ho-aa gur sant milaa-i-aa
Prabh abhinaasee ghar meh paa-i-aa
Sayv karee pal chasaa na vichhuraa
Jan Naanak daas tumaaray jee-o
Hao gholee jee-o ghol ghumaa-ee
Jan Naanak daas tumaaray jee-o

Meaning

My mind longs for the vision of the Guru’s Darshan
It cries out like the thirsty song bird for the nectar of your name. My thirst is not quenched, and I can not find peace Until I receive the Darshan the beloved saint.

Your face is so beautiful, and the sound of your words (shabd) is so filled with inner wisdom. It has been too long since this rainbird has had even a glimpse of water. Blessed is the land, where you live, my friend and loved one, my Divine teacher.

An instant away from you, brings darkness When will I meet You, my beloved Waheguru? I can’t endure this night, sleep eludes me too Until I see your home, my beloved Guru!

By good fortune, I met my Saint Guru and I have found that the immortal creator is within the home my own self and so I will always serve you and never be separated from you even for an instant.

Guru Nanak says- I’m your slave, my beloved Lord.
I give myself and my soul. Servant Nanak lives to serve you.

Effect

To heal the wounds of the heart.

Mudra is a Sanskrit term that refers to a symbolic gesture or posture, often used in yoga, meditation, and Indian classical dance. Mudras are believed to channel the flow of energy in the body and stimulate different parts of the brain, leading to specific physical or mental benefits. These gestures are typically performed with the hands and fingers, but can also involve the whole body. Each mudra has a specific meaning or intention, and when practiced with awareness, they are said to enhance concentration, deepen meditation, and promote overall well-being.

Transliteration

Ik
Onkaar
Satnaam
Kartaa Purakh
Nirbhau.
Nirvair
Akaal Moorat
Ajooni
Saibhang
Gurprasaad

Jap
Aad Sach
Jugaad Sach
Haibhee Sach
Nanak Hosee Bhee Sach

Meaning

The Creator of all is One;
Truth is His name;
He is the Doer of everything;
He is fearless;
He is without anger;
He never dies;
He is never born,
and He is self-illuminated.
All this is known by the Guru’s grace.
Meditate
He was Truth at the beginning,
He is Truth throughout the ages,
He is Truth even now,
Oh Nanak, He shall forever be Truth.

Effect

To have inner guidance, for expansion, and to open the heart.

Root Lock

Mulabandha, or Root Lock, is a yogic technique involving the contraction of the pelvic floor muscles, sex organ, and Navel Center. This practice helps activate and balance the lower chakras, promoting a sense of grounding and stability. By directing energy flow from the lower abdomen into the central energy channel, Mulabandha supports overall vitality and raises the Kundalini.

Head over to our Deep Dive article on Mulabandha to learn how to practice this breathing technique safely.

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Muladhara, often referred to as the root chakra, is the first primary energy center in the body. Located at the base of the spine, it is associated with the color red and symbolizes stability, security, and the basic needs of survival. Muladhara is believed to govern aspects of physicality, grounding, and the connection to the earth. Balancing this chakra is thought to result in a sense of stability, security, and a strong foundation for personal growth and spiritual development.

Naad is a Sanskrit term that refers to the primal sound or cosmic vibration that underlies and sustains the universe. In yogic and spiritual traditions, Naad is considered the essence of all sound and the source of all creation. It is believed that by attuning to this subtle vibration through practices such as chanting, mantra, and meditation, one can harmonize with the universal energy, leading to spiritual awakening and inner peace. Naad Yoga, the yoga of sound, focuses on using these vibrations to elevate consciousness and connect with the divine.

Naad Yoga is a branch of yoga that focuses on the healing and transformative power of sound and vibration. It is based on the concept of Naad, the primal sound or cosmic vibration that is believed to underlie all creation. Through practices such as chanting, mantra repetition, and listening to sacred sounds, practitioners of Naad Yoga aim to harmonize their inner vibrations with the universal energy. This alignment is said to lead to heightened awareness, spiritual growth, and a deep sense of inner peace. Naad Yoga emphasizes the use of sound as a tool for meditation, healing, and connecting with the divine.

Nadis are channels in the subtle body through which prana, or vital life force, flows according to yogic and Ayurvedic traditions. They are not physical structures but energy pathways that connect different parts of the body and facilitate the movement of prana. The three main nadis are Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna. Ida is associated with lunar energy and the left side of the body, Pingala with solar energy and the right side, and Sushumna runs along the spine, linking the chakras. Balancing the nadis is essential for maintaining physical and spiritual health.

Namaste comes from Sanskrit, where “nama” means “bow,” “as” means “I,” and “te” means “you.” Together, “Namaste” translates to “I bow to you.” It is often accompanied by a gesture of bringing the palms together in front of the chest and bowing slightly. Beyond a simple greeting, Namaste holds a spiritual significance, acknowledging the divine spark within each person and conveying respect, honor, and goodwill.

Transliteration

Naam niranjan neer naraa-in.
Rasnaa simrat paap bilaa-in.

Naaraa-in sabh maahi nivaas.
Naaraa-in ghat ghat pargaas.
Naaraa-in kahtay narak na jaahi.
Naaraa-in sayv sagal fal paahi.

Naaraa-in man maahi adhaar.
Naaraa-in bohith sansaar.
Naaraa-in kahat jam bhaag palaa-in.
Naaraa-in dant bhaanay daa-in.

Naaraa-in sad sad bakhsind.
Naaraa-in keenay sookh anand.
Naaraa-in pargat keeno partaap.
Naaraa-in sant ko maa-ee baap.

Naaraa-in saadhsang naraa-in.
Baaran baar naraa-in gaa-in.
Basat agochar gur mil lahee.
Naaraa-in ot naanak daas gahee.

Meaning

The Name of the Immaculate Lord is the Ambrosial Water. Chanting it with the tongue, sins are washed away.

The Lord abides in everyone. The Lord illumines each and every heart. Chanting the Lord’s Name, one does not fall into hell. Serving the Lord, all fruitful rewards are obtained.

Within my mind is the Support of the Lord. The Lord is the boat to cross over the world-ocean. Chant the Lord’s Name, and the Messenger of Death will run away. The Lord breaks the teeth of Maya, the witch.

The Lord is forever and ever the Forgiver. The Lord blesses us with peace and bliss. The Lord has revealed His glory. The Lord is the mother and father of His Saint.

The Lord, the Lord, is in the Saadh Sangat, the Company of the Holy. Time and time again, I sing the Lord’s Praises. Meeting with the Guru, I have attained the incomprehensible object.

Slave Nanak has grasped the Support of the Lord.

Effect

The Shabad Narayan was composed by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan. Narayan is one of the different names for the Divine. It relates to the quality of water; just as a plant needs water to bloom, chanting Narayan nurtures the Divine Identity within you so that your soul can blossom beautifully and gracefully. The quality of Narayan is restorative, allowing life to begin anew, abundant, and green. It also protects you from death, as the Siri Guru Granth Sahib states that if you recite it, death cannot come near. Chanting this Shabad restores everything lost and brings abundance to life.

Transliteration

Nirbho Sat Siri
NIrbho Sat Siri, Nirbho Akal Siri
Nirbho Atma Siri, Nirbho Parmatma

Meaning

I in thee have not fear, I in thee am crystal clear
Thou in me is very near, Thou Art my Love, Lord & Atma (Soul).

Effect

A Mantra for Fearlessness.

Niyama is the second limb of the eight-limbed path of yoga as outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. It refers to personal ethical guidelines and disciplines that help in cultivating self-discipline and spiritual growth. There are five niyamas: Saucha (purity), Santosha (contentment), Tapas (discipline or austerity), Svadhyaya (self-study), and Ishvara Pranidhana (surrender to a higher power). Practicing niyamas helps in developing inner strength, clarity, and a sense of purpose, supporting a yogi’s journey towards self-realization and harmony.

Transliteration

Ong

Meaning

Creative consciousness of the divine manifested in the physical world.

Effect

When chanted correctly, this mantra vibrates the conch or the yogic space comprised of the top of the throat, mouth, and the sinuses. This vibration stimulates the central channel or Shushumna Nadi. This mantra is related to OM or AUM, which embody the infinite cosmic vibration, but it is a more grounded, embodied version that represents this energy as expressed through creation or the Shakti power.

Patanjali is an ancient Indian sage, traditionally credited with composing the “Yoga Sutras,” a foundational text on the philosophy and practice of yoga. The Yoga Sutras consist of 196 aphorisms that outline the eight-limbed path of yoga, including ethical precepts, physical postures, breath control, and meditative practices aimed at achieving self-realization and spiritual enlightenment. Patanjali’s work has profoundly influenced various aspects of yoga, meditation, and Indian philosophy, making him a central figure in the history of yoga.

Transliteration

Pavan Pavan Pavan Pavan
Par Para Pavan Guru
Pavan Guru Wahe Guru
Wahe Guru Pavan Guru

Meaning

Pavan – air, breath, and carrier of Prana (energy or life force).
Guru – one who leads you from darkness to light.
Waje Guru – ecstasy when I experience the indescribable Wisdom.

Effect

This mantra is for pranic energy and to increase it in the body. Increasing prana is the best way to achieve healing.