Customer Reviews

Chakra Mantras: Liberate Your Spiritual Genius Through Chanting

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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!

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.

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.

This book was amazing to me. I expected your average book on the chakras, and found tons of information on spiritual development, the evolution of the soul and more. Can't believe I wanted so long to read it.

Comprehensive study of chakras and relatively unknown lore regarding Yoga's esoteric aspects. Quite readable and of interest to serious students of India's spiritual traditions. Highly recommended to those who may have missed the author's other excellent works.

Full of good information. Some knowledge of pronunciation in Sanskrit is required since no pronunciation cues are given.

With great respect for what Mr. Ashley-Farrand is attempting in this project, as a serious student of Sanskrit, with the huge benefit of some native Brahman teachers, in addition to textbook instruction, reading these mispronounced (via incorrect transliteration) mantras breaks my heart, as does listening to this author's CDs, in which he does the same. In a sample review of the planetary mantras in this book, I quickly found multiple errors. I didn't read further, as I've listened to the author's CDs with the Gayatri and Mrtunjaya mantras containing errors.
An incorrect pronunciation can change the meaning of what one is reciting, so correct pronunciation becomes key in the recitation of a mantra, especially if the effort is designed to accomplish something. Personally, I don't understand how someone who is studying a sacred subject can fail to double or triple check that what he is putting out to a thirsty and ignorant audience is correct, but that is only my opinion. Becoming commercially successful in the US makes one seem expert, regardless of whether the information being taught is correct or not. In the case of this book, and others by this author, some of it is the latter case.
All this aside, according to Manusmriti, a mantra is to be obtained from a sat guru in order that the pronunciation and chandas or metre are correct and the the full meaning of the mantra is understood. Sanskrit is full of
code, and it is the guru who can reveal it. We in the West are short of
sat gurus, while desperately wanting to have the information, with the best
intentions of using it for an effect. I am certain that Mr. Ashley-Farrand
is attempting to fill this void and with all good intention. Nevertheless,
it's a big mistake to use this book as one's source.