Planet Meditation Kit: How to Harness the Energy of the Planets for Good Fortune, Health and Well-being [Audio Cassette]

The Planet Meditation Kit by Harish Johari (published by Destiny Books) consists of a plastic folder with 5 audiotapes ( on each side of a tape is the mantra for a specific planet), 9 Yantras on cards ( geometrical drawings representing each planet), and a 27 page booklet of explanation. The sound of the mantra (which is repeated 108 times) is to be used together with the sight of the pattern created by the sound - the yantra. While chanting (vocalizing) and looking (visualizing) the needs of the mind, intellect and ego are satisfied so that ones experiences profound peace. This stillness and attunement to the vibrational field (?) of the day creates a wonderful foundation for the rest of the day. (Repeating it again at noon and at bedtime reinforces the effect.) In the booklet Johari includes simple instructions under the heading "How Is It Done?" which, when carried out, results in a meditation lasting for ½ an hour. What a great way to greet the rising sun! Also included in the booklet is a short description of each planet - some of these descriptions are amusing and amazingly accurate. (Drawings by Harish Johari personalizing each planet are there.) The last section of the booklet is called "Befriending Planets." It involves a very complete chart of all 9 planets and their attributes. For an even more complete understanding of Harish Johari's translation into western thought regarding this concept of "the planets" it is recommended that the reader also study The Healing Power of Gemstones, Numerology and especially Tools for Tantra which explains in detail the use of Mantra and Yantra. All these books by Johari are available from Destiny Books. One small addition I would humbly add which Harish Johari taught in lecture but which I didn't find in print (perhaps it is?) is the following. He said that the yantra can best be used by focusing on the bindu (the yantra being held at reading distance from the eyes) after having done some pranayam and during the chanting of the mantra. One focuses or stares without blinking and when the eyes become dry or the sensation to link becomes irresistible then one closes the eyes and meditates on the after-image. The after-image is what works on the brain/body and this is the image impressed on the nerves. This kit is a wonderful tool for all meditators. You will love it.

This kit has a brief booklet describing the planets, yantras, and mantras. The tapes are excellent and do what they promise. The booklet is too brief and has misspellings and innacuracies of content. For example, the author claims that the hour before sunrise is assigned to the planet of the day. This may be a typo or a misunderstanding since the hour AFTER sunrise is named for the planet of the day, according to the Chaldean sequence of planets. In fact, this is how the days go their names.

The section on the mantras is the barest of outlines. The printed mantra for the Sun does not match what is said on the tape, which left me wondering which was correct -- the booklet or the tape. I still have no idea what the proper mantra for the Sun should be. In addition, there are Sanskrit phrases on the tape for which no text is provided. Since I don't know Sansrit, I found this to be a significant lack in the kit. I hope in future editons the publisher will provide a transcript for the Sanskrit words on the tapes to make them easier to follow.

Nonetheless, the quality of the tapes is excellent and they are an aid to meditation. If the written text were better edited to weed out the inaccuracies and describe the tapes, I would have given this 5 stars.

I am very blessed to have found a great Guru, Harish Johari. I was physically ill and hopeless with little motivation to continue. Harish Johari's book on gemstones was suggested to me. I then pursued his other works on Tantra. His gentle touch, heart, wisdom, discipline and insights are great gifts that he has chosen to share. His chants on the tapes are closer to Dharmasala than southern India. If you are involved in any flavor of magickal spiritual discipline or seeking Balance, love and Light and Oneness, please accept this recommendation. Sri shat Guru jai, Johari. Om Shanti.