In the practice of yoga and other spiritual traditions, the intentional use of sound plays a central role in quieting and steadying the restless mind — enough so that more meditative practices can occur without distraction. The Sanskrit word “mantra” itself comes from the root words “manas” (referring to the linear thinking mind) and “tra” (to cross over). Hence, mantras are components of “sonic formulae” that — when repeated over and over with conscious intention — help us to overcome the habitual cacophony of mind-chatter, in order to connect us to deeper states of awareness and inner peace.
This painting in particular focuses on the visual representation of one chanting the Gayatri mantra, a well-known mantra that, on one level, is a hymn to the solar deity Savitr, the divine Sun that illuminates and gives life to all. But on a deeper level, Gayatri is an also invocation to our inner Divine Light — so that inner emanation may illuminate our intelligence, thoughts, words, and actions. As the subject chants, the vibrational energy of these intentional sounds channel through and begin to dissolve the corporeal body in a stream of light and energy. This painting has two faces: one as seen by the naked eye, and another invisible visage as activated under ultraviolet light — to symbolize the more subtle spectra and effects of light.
Here is a rough translation of Gayatri mantra, which follows:
oṃ bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ
tat savitur vareṇyaṃ
bhargo devasya dhīmahi
dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt
“We meditate on the effulgent glory of the Divine Light; may he inspire our understanding.” (via S. Radhakrishnan)
More on mantra from author and teacher David Frawley, via Integral Yoga Magazine:
“We always think of mantra and meditation as going together. There are some meditations that are almost entirely mantric. Others begin with mantra and then forget about the mantra. When you forget about the mantra, you merge into the vibration of the sound or nada and the repetition dissolves. The mantra allows you to forget the mind. Then the mantra can also dissolve or it may continue in the background or it may open into space, light or awareness. [..]
A mantra is used to prepare the mind because meditation is essentially either an effort to silence the mind—according to the Yoga Sutras—or an attempt to access the natural silence of the mind or consciousness. Our mental activity—sensations, memories, thoughts, emotions—blocks that, so a mantra is an excellent tool for harmonizing and calming the mental field. The mind consists of words, sounds, memories and samskaras with a vibratory base. Our fragmented thinking patterns create a fragmented vibratory field in the mind. The mantra harmonizes and integrates the vibratory field of the mind and undermines the entropy so the entropy goes away. When you sit to meditate you will then have the mantra vs. the other thoughts, fears and desires going on. [..]
When we use mantras, we are moving the mind into a vibratory level of awareness by breaking down the habitual sound patterns of the outer mind. You find mantra and the Word throughout all spiritual, yogic and shamanic traditions. There’s a long yogic tradition of this, starting with the mantra OM. Essentially all spiritual traditions rest on a body of knowledge that is held in sound and scripture. The Word, the Divine Name, Shakti, all these things are interconnected. The Word becomes the vehicle of carrying the knowledge. The mantra is the energized, or concentrated, form of the Word.”