MANTRAS OM GAM GANESHAYA NAMAHA OM GLAUM GANAPATAYEI NAMAHA OM MAHA GANADHI-PATAYEI NAMAHA
Ganesh is invoked at the beginning of any chanting session or any new endeavour to eliminate obstacles to success.
"Gana" means category and "esh" comes from "Isha" meaning "Lord" or Ruler. So Ganesh is the Lord of Categories! You can think of categories in the sense of ideas, concepts, and the words you choose to understand, experience, and describe your world. Because Ganesh is the Ruler of Categories he ultimately takes you beyond all ideas and concepts you currently have of the world and of yourself. He is Lord of your mind. He is the power to eliminate obstacles both inner and outer on your path.... which, really exist in your mind and are projected out into the world. He is the power within your own being to remove the obstructions that exist within you!
Ganapati is another name for Ganesh and in fact, the oldest name for this energy/power . "Ga" also means wisdom and "Na" means liberation. Of course, "gana" also means category because Sanskrit words have multiple meanings and impacts. "Pati" means Master. Ganesh/Ganapati is also master of Wisdom and Liberation.
"Dhi" (Ganadhipati) means intellect, understanding, imagination but of the highest spiritual sense. "Maha" means magnificent. Ganesh is also Great/Magnificent Master of all Spiritual Thought.
Ganesh is the energy residing in the root chakra. His image represents you: part animal, part human, part Divine. Ganesh is everything. Ganesh is a mystery... and Ganesh represents Divine Mystery.
PRACTICE 1. Set your intention. You must be clear about what you want, whether you want enlightenment (self-realization) or manifestation (realization of some material object/state in life). Make sure that what you are wishing for is Dharmic, that it supports your highest good. Otherwise you will create more obstacles for yourself! REMEMBER: In both processes you are asking for transformation and transformation means change. Often when we change something within ourselves we also affect changes in our outer world. This is the key: you will not be able to have what you desire unless you are open to transformation!
2. Chant each three times before meditating or before another chanting session. Remember: you are invoking the source of universal power itself! Do so with reverence.
3. If you wish to do a Ganesh sadhana (a focused practice to eliminate obstacles in your life) chant OM GAM GANESHAYA for: a. a set period of time each day followed by meditation to integrate. b. chant each syllable slowly with space in between. Really listen to each sound and allow the silences to hold the resonance of each syllable. Allow yourself to be pulled into meditation. (This is on the mp3)
It is powerful as it opens the root chakra and it is possible it raises emotions into your consciousness. Allow this to flow through you.