________________
FAITH HEALING
The power of faith or simple belief alone has been a salient factor in the healing process, at all levels. To promote the healing process, many means have been used, some of which are scientifically confirmed through modern medicine while other means are more metaphysically or spiritually meaningful. In Jainism, the belief in the healing power of mantra or sound vibration through repetition is very strong and frequently practiced. The assumption is that through certain sounds atomic, chemical, emotional, and spiritual vibrations are created and have a protective effect. In this story, Guruji tells about his first experience in using the Namokar Mantra and the effects that it had.
When I went to my Guru at the age of seven, I started to do yoga practices and I repeated sacred mantra everyday. Also, my practices demanded that I wear white cotton clothing and eat only once a day a meal consisting of rice and sweet milk. Among the mantra practices, repetition of the Namokar Mantra was the most important and it was my favorite yogic practice.*
*(See "River Crossing" for this mantra. The Namokar Mantra is the most important mantra in the Jain Religion. Editor.)
78
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org