The Advaita Taraka Upanishad Dhyana Mantra is a meditation (dhyana) mantra from the Advaita Taraka Upanishad, a minor Upanishad belonging to the Shukla Yajurveda tradition. This text expounds the path of 'taraka' (crossing over) through the realization of non-duality (advaita). The mantra is chanted to internalize the teaching that the individual self (Atman) is identical with the ultimate reality (Brahman). According to the Advaita Taraka Upanishad itself (verses 1-3), the 'taraka' is the means to cross the ocean of samsara, and the dhyana mantra aids in focusing the mind on the non-dual truth.
The mantra typically includes the beej-akshara 'Om' and phrases affirming the unity of existence. The phoneme 'Om' (praṇava) is considered the sound-form of Brahman, as stated in the Mandukya Upanishad (verse 1). The purpose of chanting this mantra is to cultivate the direct experience of advaita, leading to liberation (moksha). Traditional benefits include purification of the mind, removal of ignorance, and attainment of jivanmukti (liberation while living).
The recommended chanting context is during meditation, ideally at dawn or dusk, in a quiet space. The count is not fixed, but regular practice with a minimum of 108 repetitions per session is suggested. There are no specific cautions, but the mantra is best received from a qualified guru who can guide the aspirant in the nuances of advaita vedanta. The mantra is also associated with the practice of 'neti-neti' (not this, not this) as a means of negating all attributes to realize the attributeless Brahman, a method described in the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad (2.3.6).
Salutations to the non-dual crossing (to the one who helps cross the ocean of samsara through non-duality).
The mantra contains the praṇava 'Oṁ' as the primary seed-syllable, representing Brahman. No other beej-aksharas are present.