Chakra Mantras: Liberate Your Spiritual Genius Through Chanting [Paperback]

Thomas Ashley Farrand (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2006

Thomas Ashley-Farrand is the preeminent authority on yogic mantras. In Chakra Mantras, he brings previously hidden knowledge from India and Tibet and teaches us through the use of mantras how to activate our secret chakras, which contain the keys to our spiritual progress. Located along the spine, the chakras process energy for all of our waking activities, and during sleep they provide energy for healing and cleansing the physical body. But there is another, higher octave of functioning that these chakras can achieve, if they are given higher states of spiritual energy in which to operate. This higher octave provides paths for spiritual development that ultimately lead to spiritual liberation or freedom from karma. A powerful method for charging the chakras with higher energy is through the use of Sanskrit mantras. With energy-invoking tools, stories from India's ancient tales, and amusing anecdotes, Chakra Mantras provides the information needed for fueling spiritual advancement through the use of healing sounds and chakra mantras.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Thomas Ashley-Farrand is one of the West's foremost authorities of Vedic and Buddist Sanskrit mantras. He has been recognized for his flawless mastery of mantra practice and has gathered more than 8.000 transliterated mantras- the most comprehensive body of these sacred-sound syllables in the English language. He is also the author of Healing Mantras (0345431707) and Mantra Meditation (1571791774). He lives in Oregon.

Product Details

• Paperback: 276 pages
• Publisher: Weiser Books (August 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1578633672
• ISBN-13: 978-1578633678
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #383,280 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and In-Depth, January 3, 2007

By 

Devi Spring (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chakra Mantras: Liberate Your Spiritual Genius Through Chanting (Paperback)

I enjoy all of Thomas Ashley-Farrand's work and often use his books as assigned reading for several of the classes that I teach. I was very much looking forward to his "Chakra Mantras" and was not dissapointed...in fact I was ecstatic to see that this book went MUCH deeper into the metaphysics of chakra theory than nearly any other that I had read. It was not a introductory book on the subject at hand, and I was pleased to learn a great deal from this book. For someone who has been studying these subjects for nearly a decade, I can't tell you how refreshing it is to read a book that is not rehashing or restating information that is found in dozens of other books. While I was slightly dissapointed that this book could not be used for an upcoming intro level course that I am teaching, I was thrilled to know that I now had a text book for several intermediate and advanced workshops that I will be holding on the subject!

Ashley-Farrand takes the reader through the different chakras, relating each one of them to myths and deities from the Vedic and Hindu religions in order to demonstrate the greater role in spiritual evolution that each region plays. Along the way he provides various mantras that will aid the reader in tapping into the energies involved in each chakra's spiritual process.

My only quibble with this book is that is it assumed that the reader has a hefty understanding of chakra basics, metaphysical mechanics, and can readily apply that knowledge to a chakra practice. While this may certainly be true of many of Ashley-Farrand's readers, I would be dissapointed if someone were to pick this book of his up first, find it over their head, and then never read any of his other works which are exemplary introductions to their topics, as well as enlightening for intermediate and advanced students as well. Thomas Ashley-Farrand's work is some of the best available, but his other books are more suited to interested parties who have little formal background in the subject of mantras, Hindu spirituality, etc.

If you are new to chakras, this book will likely not serve you as well as others that are geared towards novice studies. An excellent book for those just learning the subject is "The Chakra Handbook" by Bodo Baginski and Shalila Sharamon from Lotus Light Press, available here at Amazon. However, those who have read all the basics and are ready to take their understanding of the metaphysics of chakras to the next level, I whole heartedly recommend this book!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intention and Vibration Produce Transformation, September 1, 2010

By 

Bryan Phillips "Ugyen Phug Preservation Project" (Virginia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chakra Mantras: Liberate Your Spiritual Genius Through Chanting (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for those who are considering, or already engaged in, a practice of toning and devotional prayer. I do not consider other reviewers' criticism of the author's Sanskrit pronunciations to have much merit. There are two points in regard to this worth considering. The first is that it is true that everywhere that Indian mantras have gone (whether Hindu, Buddhist, etc.), although the religions may have made concessions of translation as they entered new cultures, the mantras themselves are never compromised. There is an abiding belief in the sacred power of the Sanskrit language across Asia--and indeed the world. Nonetheless, this does not mean that throughout their 2,000-plus-year history, Sanskrit mantras have never been mispronounced, or that to mispronounce them somehow mitigates their spiritual efficacy. INTENTION trumps pronunciation; the most important thing is to have an open heart and a genuine attitude of gratitude. Furthermore, these mantras are to be toned--"sung"--with a great depth of resonance so that the energy centers of the body are vibrated and awakened. Due to physiological differences in the variety of human voiceboxes, of course those vibrations will re"sound" somewhat differently from individual to individual. Since there is no perfect reproduction anyway, the point is not to get someone else's rendition of a mantra right, it is to discover within yourself, on an energetic level, the particular resonation that, combined with pure intention, aligns you in harmony with your desired goals.

So don't stress out about pronunciation, gurus, satsang, etc. If lamas and gurus were so secretive about their own "perfected" vocalizations, they would never allow themselves to be recorded. If there is a particular mantra you are attracted to, by all means, track down recorded versions of it by different teachers, singers, artists, etc. (The more the better!) But more important than any of these, take the inspiration of their renditions and sing for yourself. Mantras are tools for transformation, but that transformation begins its catalysis within YOUR body's interior.

There's no dangerous misinformation here; quite the opposite, this book offers a broad palate of tools for profound transformation.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book (Must Have) For Spiritual Aspirant and Seeker, September 30, 2008

By 

Divakara R. Tanjore (Edison, NJ, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chakra Mantras: Liberate Your Spiritual Genius Through Chanting (Paperback)

This book provides an undestanding of the purpose of our life, the science of chakras and ways and techniques to awaken them to realize the purpose of our life.

This book answers many unanswered questions we have and also erase many misconceptions we have based on old traditions. This book will certainly provide guidance to modern spiritual seekers. This book is a must have for a spiritual seeker in this period of ignorance and confusion.