Book Review: Mantra Meditation by Thomas Ashley-Farrand

MANTRA MEDITATION

Change Your Karma with the Power of Sacred Sound

by Thomas Ashley-Farrand (Namadeva Acharya)

     This 90 page book is written by a Vedic priest, Thomas Ashley-Farrand, Namadeva Acharya, (1940-2010).  He was one of the Western world's foremost authorities on the application of Sanskrit Mantra to life's problems.  Everything you ever wanted to know or understand about the Sanskrit mantras are in this comprehensive teaching of 12 chapters.  He talks about the fact that there are "no rules" in life, and that we have complete freedom of choice, even though we are bound by the karma we are creating through our choices.  He shares the four aims of human life:  Artha, Kama, Dharma, and Moksha, (prosperity, fulfillment of desires, to live in divine order, and liberation respectively).  The last 7 chapters are devoted to specific mantras that address each of these aims, giving their translation and specific purpose.  The highlight of this book is the CD containing 14 mantras being chanted with authentic Vedic pronunciation and in the melodic voice of the author.  You will hear authentic pronunciation of the Gayatri, the Vasudeva, and the Great Mani mantras.  I was profoundly affected by simply listening to the chanting.  The sounds and the words transported me into an altered state and stirred emotions and feelings deep within me.  This is by far the most masterful resource for engaging with and practicing the deeply spiritual practice of chanting and using mantras for healing, protection, prosperity, removal of obstacles and more.

Mantra Meditation is available now at Stepping Stones Books and Gifts.

Review by Sanna Rose, RScP.