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Witchvox Chapter: Pagan Merchants (Online)
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Owned by: Devi Spring
Crafted From: Toronto, Ontario
Commercial?: yes
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Vox Acct.: 143303
Link ID: 30896
Posted: Sep.5.2006
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Intro to Mantras - Online Class for Pagans
[A Witchvox Sponsor]
Category: Courses
Website Profile: The Lotus Academy of Spiritual Arts Presents...
INTRODUCTION TO MANTRAS
Many Pagans find that chanting can help them center and focus before meditation or ritual, but did you know that it can also transform your life? The magickal power of words is recognized in spiritual traditions the world over, and mantras are among the most famous and ancient magickal word formulas. Mantras are a form of magickal prayer-chant that originates in the Hindu tradition. They were designed specifically to have dramatic transformative effects on those that recited them. When said aloud, each letter of the Sanskrit alphabet (which the mantras were originally composed in) creates energetic vibrations that, when combined into spiritually potent phrases can help the chanter attain their goals and desires - or even bring them into contact with the gods! While Hindu & Buddhist tradition holds that most mantras may only be recited by initiates, there are plenty of mantras that have been used and proven to be extremely effective (and safe) by Westerners.
In this in-depth experiential 3-month course students will be introduced to the basics of what mantras are, how they work, and explore how THEY can begin to use mantras in their own spiritual practice. After 11 lessons of intensive academic study using Healing Mantras by Thomas Ashley-Farrand as a guide, students will experience first-hand the effects of chanting mantras in an exciting 21-day chanting practicum that they design themselves based on the knowledge gained throughout the course.
Course Level: Novice - Intermediate
Course Requirements:
•3-4 hours / lesson (36-48 hrs total) .
•Students will be expected to read critically and journal their thoughts and reactions to the material, and intelligently apply the knowledge to their own life during the 21-day practicum.
•The chanting practicum involves a 3 week DAILY practice of sitting and chanting a mantra of the student's choosing, and journaling their experiences.
•Students must also have access to a digital camera in order to take and submit pictures of their meditation altar.
•Students are assumed to have a PC with audio capabilities, as some lessons contain sound files.
REQUIRED MATERIALS: Japa beads (full string of 108+1) , meditation altar accoutrements of your choice
REQUIRED TEXT: Healing Mantras by Thomas Ashley-Farrand
OPTIONAL (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED) ACCOMPANYING CD: Healing Mantras
Course Fee: $30 usd, payable by PayPal onsite
The course facilitator, Devi Spring, has a Religious Studies B.A. from the University of Toronto, where she specialized in the Hindu Religious Tradition. She has been using mantras as part of her spiritual devotional practice, as well as for personal transformation for the past 7 years. Mantras are part of her daily sadhana, during which she chants to Ganesha, Lakshmi, Siva and Durga-Kali.
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Course Outline
Lesson 1: What is a Mantra and How Does it Work?
In this first lesson students are provided with many sources from varying perspectives that illustrate and elucidate exactly what a mantra is and how it functions. Vibration, resonance, energetic bodies, and other factors in mantric science are introduced to give a detailed overview of the subject.
Lesson 2: A Brief History of Mantras
A contextual history is presented that demonstrates the role mantras played in antiquity, and into modern times.
Lesson 3: Bija Mantras - The Divine Seeds
The student begins exploring some of the components that make-up mantras and mantra theory. Seed sounds, or bijas, are introduced along with an explanation of how these play into the functionality of mantras.
Lesson 4: Gayatri - Metre, Goddess, Mantra
Gayatri is a work that will be encountered quite a great deal with studying mantras, and this lesson introduces the subject to the student. The various connotations of the word itself are examined, along with several audio examples of the mantra known as the Gayatri.
Lesson 5: OM - The Ultimate Mantra
OM is by far the most famous mantra, representing the sound of creation itself. In this lesson the student is introduced to many perspectives on the mystical significance of OM and will come away with a greater understanding of its role in Eastern traditions, and in the universe as a whole.
Lesson 6: To Chant or Not To Chant - Does One Need to be Initiated to Use Mantras?
One of the most talked about and worried-over issues by Westerners who are interested in adopting a mantra practice, is the topic of initiation. There are many varying and contradictory opinions on the subject, and some of the most prevalent, compelling, and applicable will be addressed here.
Lesson 7: What You Need to Prepare to Chant - Tools of the Trade
Any ritual practice comes complete with a few props to aid the practitioner in their journey, and chanting mantras is no different. The most important and indispensable tools will be presented along with traditional and common-sense reasoning behind their inclusion.
Lessons 8 & 9: How to Choose a Mantra
In these lessons the student will be immersing themselves in the meat of the required textbook and taking in a lot of information regarding how mantras and can be used, what mantras can be used for various purposes, and how those mantras enact change. The student will be actively thinking towards and preparing for their 21-day chanting practicum while reading this material. During these lessons the student will also be asked to design and build a meditation altar at which they will perform their 3 week sadhana.
Lesson 10: How to Properly Chant a Mantra
Clear and concise information is presented, answering the most frequently asked questions regarding chanting protocol and procedure. This is the final lesson that the student will draw from for their 21-day practicum. At its conclusion the student should be fully prepared to embark on their experiential 3 week sadhana.
Lessons 11-13: The 21-Day Chanting Practicum
Students now undertake a daily practice of japa - mantra recitation. They are asked to keep a detailed journal of their experience before, during and after each session, as well as any experiences or changes that they experience between sessions. This will aid the student in tracking their overall progress with the chanting, and see objectively what changes are taking place, and in what ways they are manifesting. In-depth and individualized feedback and additional instruction is provided to the student by the facilitator after each 7 day period, in order to aid the student's progress and troubleshoot any challenges that may arise.
Lesson 14: Crafting a Mantra Practice
Having experienced a mantra discipline first-hand, the students are presented with one final lesson that addresses how mantras can be used to craft one's entire life - including addressing and mediating the effects of larger and uncontrollable issues that affect us all, such as challenges presented by our astrological birth charts, past life karma, as well as collective karma from our communities and cultures.
Final Retrospective Essay
The final examination will consist of a retrospective essay outlining the student's progress and evolution during the class, their opinion and insights regarding their experiences with the 21-day practicum, and thoughts on whether or not they would choose to adopt mantras as part of their personal practice.
** Upon successful completion, students will receive a certificate of accomplishment. **
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The Lotus Academy of Spiritual Arts (formerly The Shakti Wicca Training Chakra) is a fully interactive, online college for the study of spiritual topics of interest to the modern eclectic Pagan. We are also the only online spiritual school to offer IndoPagan studies!
Courses are limited to 15 students to ensure that the highest-level of individual attention and feedback will be given to each student. Our instructors are excited to be teaching, and wish to share their knowledge with you!
Please visit http://www.thelotusacademy.org for complete course listings and details. Create a free account and be kept up to date on school events, and be able to enroll in any open course.
All classes are 3-4 months in length, and are designed at a university/college level of material sophistication. Many courses are already open for enrollment and accepting students NOW! Most course fees are $25-40 or less, and discount packages are available for multiple enrolments!
The Lotus Academy of Spiritual Arts will soon offer over 20 (with more being added all the time) courses including:
ECLECTIC WICCAN STUDIES:
Introduction to Wicca
IndoWicca: Blending Traditions
SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT:
Meditation and Visualization 101
Spiritual Cleansing 101
Intro to Mantras
Intro to Chakras
PANTHEON AND MYTHOLOGY STUDIES:
Introduction to the Goddess & Modern Goddess Spirituality
The Dark Goddesses: A Reflective Journey into the Divine Shadows
Intro to Hinduism & The Hindu Pantheon (Gods) - HP101
The Hindu Pantheon (Goddesses) and Intro to Hindu Worship - HP102
SPELLCRAFT:
Candle Magick
ALTERNATIVE HEALING:
Usui Reiki Level 1 Practitioner Training
Usui Reiki Level 2 Practitioner Training
To SURF to this Website: Click HERE
To view ALL of Our listings: Click HERE
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