Mantra is a powerful tool for sadhana. The idea is to use sound to focus your mind on something greater than yourself. Words such as Om, Arham, Rhim, Namo Arihantanam are powerful esoteric formulas. A mantra is not an ordinary combination of letters and syllables, but a living force. However, only mechanical recitation of mantras will be totally ineffective. Most of us simply recite mantras mechanically without fulfilling the concomitant conditions, which are necessary for the effectiveness of the mantra. Our minds should be fully devoted to the words of mantras. Doing things without concentration will not enable the practitioner to achieve success in sadhana. A distracted mind is an obstacle in sadhana. Mantras bring out all the positive energy within you; they provide the wandering mind with a focal point. So, we must focus on our goal in sadhana. When the mind wants to wander out of the meditative state, the mantra helps bring it back. The next important thing is the meaning of the mantra. There is no sense in reciting a mantra without properly understanding its implications. For example, 'OM' is an ancient word that means 'to become'. The chanting of OM creates vibrations in the body. These vibrations create neuro linguistic effects, which induce a sense of calm. There is a law that has a constant and dramatic effect in our life, and that law is the law of change. It states that everything is in the process of becoming something else. Change happens everywhere and with everyone. Like the rest of the world, man also undergoes change. He not only changes under external pressure, but he can also bring about change in himself deliberately. His will plays an effective role in this self-change. The human body is composed of millions of cells. Cells are continuously being born and dying. The body begins to decay with the decay in the cells. This entire process of change can be purposefully diverted by the will in any direction. The will operates on the plane of prana, vital force. The human personality consists of Atma and prana, both possess their own force. We have thus two forces working in us, the soul force and the prana force. The basic aim of sadhana is to realize the soul, which is essentially a conscious entity. The prana force can lead us to self-realization. This needs a strong will and firmness of purpose, sankalpa. If the will and the vital force are weak and if we are infirm of purpose, we can in no way achieve the soul. It is therefore necessary to invigorate the prana force. Japa, recitation of sacred words, operates on the plane of prana. The prana force is an electrical force. Every living being possesses this force. All the physical and mental activities of man are due to the prana force. It is the electrical energy in us, which is the driving force behind the body, and the mind. In Jain philosophy, this electrical force is called the taijasa body or prana. It is this force which activates and strengthens the will. By: Acharya Mahaprajna As told to Lalit Garg