The Green Tare Mantra: A Liberating Practice
The green tara mantra comes from the most popular goddess in Buddhism. Green Tara is the goddess of universal compassion, enlightenment, and virtuous performances. It is said that she is the mother of all buddhas.
The word Tara means ‘liberating’. According to Buddhist belief, it primarily frees from fear of external threats. Among them, tradition says, the fear of elephants, lions, fire, snakes, thieves, stormy waters, slavery and evil spirits. Therefore, the green tara mantra is a ritual to ward off all these dangers.
The green tare mantra also protects against internal dangers. These are: pride, ignorance, jealousy, hatred, stubbornness, attachment, disturbing doubts, and greed. For Buddhists it is a very powerful mantra, offering tranquility and security.
Meaning of the green tara mantra
A mantra is a set of syllables, phonemes or words that, according to some beliefs, has a psychological and spiritual power. Etymologically it means ‘Mental instrument’. Each mantra induces a certain state of consciousness or a state of mind. The green tare mantra is used to deal with fear and insecurity.
The mantra of the green tara is composed of the following words and syllables: ” Om tare tuttare ture soha “. It refers to Tara, goddess of universal compassion and green, the color of vitality for Buddhists. In greater depth, its meaning is as follows:
- Om : it has to do with the body and the mind, with the approach to the universal divinity.
- tare : it is the liberation of the sufferings and of the inferior feelings and forces.
- tuttare : represents a protection against internal and external dangers.
- ture : it is a protection against physical illness and a peace-generating word.
- soha : represents the long-term action of protection against internal and external dangers.
Meditation and the green tara mantra
The green tara mantra has deep meaning to Buddhists. In the West there are also many people who practice this type of mantras, since they are a means to feel calmer and more relaxed. Most do not give them the same connotation as Buddhists, but still, they go to them to strengthen themselves.
An example. Studies such as the one carried out at Chung Shan Medical University, Taiwan by Dr. Li Chuan, tell us about the beneficial effects of this type of meditation. It reduces stress, improves our attention, emotional balance and general health. It is a simple practice that reverts to our well-being.
The Buddhist tradition says that the best way to pronounce this mantra is in the framework of a meditation practice. They point out that certain steps are required for the green tare mantra to be fully effective:
- Find a quiet place. Sit down, close your eyes, and breathe.
- Think about the problem on which clarity is required.
- Concentrate on the idea that anxiety and fear will disappear.
- Say out loud the mantra: ” Om tare tuttare ture soha ” and repeat it several times.
- Visualize in the mind a green sphere, while repeating the mantra and breathing deeply.
- When a sense of calm appears, take a moment to breathe and then return to normal routines.
Does this type of media work?
It is very difficult to establish what is the real efficacy of this type of ritual. Evocative words, spoken repeatedly, are known to have a calming and relaxing effect on people. In one way or another, they help the brain to vibrate at another frequency, much more peaceful.
What is certain is that people program ourselves to approach or move away from certain experiences. We also organize systems for interpreting them. Sometimes we do it consciously, but most of the time we are not aware of it. Therefore, our attitude brings us closer to certain experiences and distances us from others. Likewise, we can interpret what happens to us in different ways.
Hence, when a person thinks that a ritual such as the green tara mantra has a special and powerful meaning, they surely will. In the same way, for those who are skeptical, it will surely not generate any effect. Remember that the human mind is complex and deep. A world, still mysterious, that is capable of everything.
