Crossing the Metaphorical River
Here we provide proof that the core self and the mind are distinct entities.
During meditation we sit and listen to our mind. Normally we would have a conversation with our mind, but now we just listen to our inner voice. We don't respond.
By only listening, we step back from the mind. We sit in silence or we sit and chant. We sit and concentrate on our breath.
As we are not responding to the inner voice of the mind, the mind will try harder and harder to get us to respond. The thought grow more and more profound.
When we start chanting, we are only responding to the chant by chanting the same thing over and over again. Since the core self can only think one thought at a time, the chanting becomes the one thought and thoughts from the mind are effectively blocked.
Now we are unattached.
Over time the mind will give up. As we get better at meditation we acheive the power to turn off the constant chatter of the mind. Now it is quiet inside. Now there are no thoughts. We just sit.
One Buddhist chant carries the message of crossing over the river to enlightenment.
Buddhism is a religion which incorporated meditation thousands of years ago. Like all religions it has its superstitions. But meditation really works and with practice one can control their mind. Want quiet? By meditation and chanting, the mind can be silenced.
Technically, chanting busies out our connection between the core self and the mind. When we busy out our core self, we block input from the mind.
This concept is like a computer that is so busy, it does not allow any interruptions to take place.
One unique Buddhist chant describes the process of stepping away from the mind. This chant is a mantra is taken from a well-known phrase found in the Heart Sutra. This Heart Sutra is found in the Buddhist scripture entitled "Mahayana Buddhist Canon". It is within the Prajnaparamita section.
The chant repeats: "Gate, gate, para gate, para sam gate, bodhi swaha." "Gate" is pronounced as "gaa-tay"
The Buddhist translation of the this mantra is "Gone, gone, gone all the way over, everyone gone to the other shore, enlightenment, all hail."
In modern English it means: "I am gone, gone, gone all the way from my mind, crossing the river and arriving at the far shore. Here I am enlightened, just being. I have stopped my mind from talking and I am just observing my mind. In this Enlightened state we are all pleased.
So the mantra says we have crossed the metaphorical river and have climbed up the bank on the far side. We enter a pure state of meditation. When we allow the mind to talk, we learn about ourselves and our own particular mind. Our core self now can study the mind. The core self can feel the emotions that energize what the mind says. There are many departments in the mind and they struggle to get recognized and are able to talk. Listening to what is said gives us self understanding.
Having control over our mind allows us to focus on whatever we do with more intensity. We can fall asleep quicker. We can listen more attentively. We can learn quicker.
Western psychology is slowly picking up on chanting and meditation. It has been noted that chanting and meditation affects the prefrontal cortex, the temporal lobes and the limbic system within the brain.
Western religions practice chanting. For example, during Catholic Mass, Gregorian chanting of the psalms and hymns is performed.
Chanting is also an integral part of Jewish worship and tradition. It is most commonly associated with the chanting of Torah and other sacred texts during synagogue services. The cantor (or chazzan) is responsible for leading the congregation in these chantings.