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January/February 2002 Living Now
Sylvia Browne and Lakshmi’s Mantra

by Sri Siva

Sylvia Brown is America’s celebrated psychic and spiritual teacher. She channels her spiritual guide, Francine, who aides Sylvia in psychically seeing the past, present and the future with such accuracy that it blows the minds of people everywhere. Sylvia also uses her own altered levels of consciousness to predict the past and the future. Sylvia helps police to investigate criminals with great accuracy. She uses her psychic abilities to help people heal from serious diseases. She puts people in touch with their deceased loved ones and helps people to unravel their psychological problems through past-life regressions.

Sylvia is able to visit what she calls as “the other side”. The other side is the non-physical domain to which a spirit retires after death or temporarily visits during sleep. Quite remarkably, the other side seems to have no physicality of its own although its form is perceptible to the spirit quality. As a spirit, Sylvia has unraveled a wealth of material about the other side.

Sylvia’s experiences provide validity to some of the teachings of Hinduism. For instance, the practice of mantras is a very important tool to connect with the divine within Hindu worship. Each god and goddess has his/her own mantra. In fact, the mantra is the very essence, the body of the divine, so to speak. The mantra is often a two to three syllable sound that carries the energy of a god or goddess. In Sanskrit, the mantra is known as a seed (bija). Just as a seed carries the whole tree within itself, the mantra carries the deity’s presence and qualities within its structure. The mantra practice is based on the theory that if one continually chants the mantra, either quietly or out loud, the deity is expected to appear before the practitioner. The theories about mantras are indeed very complex. However, everyone familiar with mantras knows this much- to get help from a particular deity, you have to chant the deity’s mantra.

The important question to ask is- do mantras belong to Hinduism or are they a universal, transcendental phenomenon? From reading Sylvia Brown’s writings, it becomes evident that mantras belong to all souls in general. In her book, Sylvia talks about her visits to the Hall of Tones on the other side. The following is a description of the Hall of Tones.

The Hall of Tones:
When each of our souls was first created, we were given our own individual Mantra- a specific word or series of syllables-to which our spirits will eternally resonate. ….Every mantra starts with Om, which is a word of affirmation and ascent, followed by a tone that is typically made up of two syllables. Mine is “Shreem”. Lindsey’s is “kiri’’. Neither of us lit up with instant recognition at the sound of our mantras. Apparently and sadly their divine resonance gets drowned out too often by the noise of our conscious minds here on earth. (Life on the Other Side by Sylvia Browne, p.111.)

Sylvia Browne’s channeled information is very useful. Shreem, which is Sylvia Browne’s own mantra, is the mantra for Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Similarly, the mantra Kiri is the sound for Kali, the ferocious goddess who kills demons. I am sure that from what I know of the writings of Sylvia Browne that she herself is not aware of the Hindu background of the mantras. Some of the explanations of the mantras that come from Sylvia are quite profound and esoteric. For instance Sylvia says that the mantra is the sound of “affirmation and ascent”. Very few people will understand the depth of the statement. It is not the place to discuss it in this small article.

However, it is interesting to follow Sylvia’s thoughts about the Hall of Tones. She says that the mantras will put you in touch with your genetic lineage. As a matter of fact, you can accomplish a lot of your material goals through the use of mantras. The success of Transcendental Meditation worldwide is due to the use of mantras. I have produced a 12-video series explaining mantras designed to accomplish different material goals in human life. Sylvia herself has given a guided meditation to find out everyone’s mantra. If you can’t find your own mantra, you can use specific mantras for a specific result. I have given about two-dozen mantras in the videotape series.

Born in Tamil Nadu, India, Sri Siva is the first scholar-mystic from the Tamil Siddha tradition to travel to the West. He holds two master’s degrees in literature from India and a doctorate in religion from the University of Pittsburgh. He is perhaps better known as the guru of Wayne Dyer, teaching him mystical teachings that may only be passed on by word of mouth. Sri Siva remained in silence for a long period, but he is now coming forth to teach this powerful wisdom himself.

If you would like more information about Sri Siva and his video series, meditation products and lecture tours, please visit www.vaaaksounds.com, email fcunningham@vaaaksounds.com, or call (888) 241-7337.