“The Magic of Mantra: Negotiating Language Boundaries” by Meera Kumar – Presentation for The Reading Glass series of NIAS CSP on 7 September 2018
Abstract:
Being an Indian, each one of us have willingly or unwillingly come across one mantra or another in one form or another, in our lives. While what the term itself means, might vary for each individual,it seems to be safe to say that there is definitely a peripheral understanding of the term mantra within us all.
This presentation will look at the idea of ‘mantra’, its understanding from the eastern and western perspectives, and try to place the concept of mantra in relation to language boundaries. The difficulty in such an endeavour will be problematised and an understanding of how to understand mantra will be discussed. The presentation will be based on the paper ‘The Magical Language of Mantra’ authored by Patton E. Burchett, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion.
A facinating endaevour to embark upon with tides that can smoothen the sail or rupture prospects envisaged by generations to protect, restore and satiate terrors unconcievable to busy minds. The facet of onus for facination lies at the confluence of the eastern and western convergence of ‘mantra’ with thorough examination would divulge one to an inspection of fastened bolts being unbound to open it’s own pandora’s box.
Looking forward to the dissertation.