On Using the Mantra

The Mantra of Rest is the counterpoint to The Mantra Of Motion. Although it is a counterpart, it is much harder to train.

Treat both mantra as a yin yang pair: to be an effective mentat, you must train techniques that help your mind to rest and others that focus your mind to think.

The Mantra of Motion

The Mantra of Motion is something I derived from the Mentat Litany, which is From David Lynch's cinematic adaptation of Dune.

The Mentat Litany does not appear in Frank Herbert's novels.

To train the Mantra of Motion, use your imagination as you recite the words to feel your mind cross space and time.

What happens? Where is the noosphere?

The Mantra of Rest

The Mantra of Rest is derived from breath counting techniques that are taught in many schools of meditation, including Buddhism and Taoism. Around those counting techniques I have placed the verbal formula "It is by quiet breath I set my mind at rest." This verbal formula provides a counterpoint to "It is by will alone I set my mind in motion."

Breath counting techniques are meant to focus the body and calm the mind. Unsurprisingly, these techniques also help you focus your mind and calm your body. With both your body and mind calm and relaxed, you are ready to face the task or problem at hand.

Begin the Mantra of Rest by reciting its opening sentence. Then proceed to count your breaths. When you lose count, repeat the opening sentence and start again.

For more instruction and theory about breath counting techniques, read a book about basic meditation, such as Taoist Meditation by Thomas Cleary, The Three Pilllars of Zen by Philip Kapleau, or Turning the Mind Into an Ally by Sakyong Mipham.

The Litany Against Fear

The Litany Against Fear is my adaptation of the same text from the novel Dune, by Frank Herbert.