Meditation Series
Oct 20, 2021
Mantra Primer
Location : Nawa Saraan Healing Space, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Rediscovering Mantra
While I was researching on pranayama, I stumbled upon Sadhguru making a few statements about mantra that got my attention. Even though I've been chanting mantras with my meditation practice, I haven't really done much research on it. But now it excites me. Time to do more research and see how I can go deeper in my meditation through mantra.
What is Mantra?
Mantra is a sacred sound. It is also a pure sound - meaning it is not defined by words to describe it. Definitive words only confine mantra into a small box. The mantra's vibrational frequency is its own meaning.
Mantra can be used to create an atmosphere within and around you. They are evocative sounds and through their power of vibration have subtle, yet powerful and penetrating effects on the mind and body. Mantras create a vibration that moves the energy. Mantras may or may not have specific meanings but the vibrations which they create should reach every fiber of one's being.
When mantras are repeated loudly, clearly and with devotion, these mantras give the greatest possible benefits to those who utter them, either hastening the curing of an ailment, acquiring stability of mind and self-control, or dissolving tensions caused by modern living.
Awareness and Relaxation in Mantra
Awareness is an essential element of chanting mantras. Without awareness, beneficial results are reduced. Relaxation is necessary when chanting mantras. After a practice, the best method is savasana (corpse pose).
OM for the Dying
According to Sadhguru, he has witnessed terminal-case patients who brought themselves back to functionality by repeatedly chanting the mantra, OM (he did not say for how long and how frequent).
There are innumerable mantras. The sound patterns of a mantra will stimulate a certain effect on the mental and psychic nature of the individual. An excellent method of overcoming an impossible situation is to chant a mantra over and over again. A good mantra is OM / AUM, which should be chanted loudly and for as long as possible. If you do this with intensity, it has an almost incredible calming influence on the mind. It is so simple yet very effective.
Thinking vs. Feeling
A mantra turns the key that opens up a door to creation. What lies beyond that door? Honestly, I don't know. I have a vague sense of it, but to articulate in its defense? I cannot. Not yet. I speculate that opening that door through chanting mantra, lifts the veil that intellect drapes on reality. We use intelligence to create words that convey meaning to define and describe. What if you transcend this human construct and simply appreciate sound, not for the meaning we attach to it, but simply for the harmonious resonance it instills?
Worded Mantra
Mantras using actual words to describe their meaning belong to another category. Examples would be Gayatri Mantra or Sarva Mangala (video below). I believe it's the sound, meaning and intention that give power to such mantras. I simply cannot see how the sound of the individual syllables of these mantras, put together (without the meaning of their words) are the be-all and end-all of themselves.
Mantra meditation (aka Japa meditation) by the Ancient Yogis
Mantra meditation is the meditation of sound. A mantra is a combination of syllables, sounds or phrases, realized by ancient sages, which have been widely known in India for thousands of years. Most people are sadly oblivious to the power of sound, yet the ancient sages through personal experience realized that sound has incredible power to influence the mind and body as well as produce changes in the material world. The ancient yogis experimented with different combinations of sound and found that they could induce extraordinary changes within the mind - different sounds producing different effects. They called these special sounds mantras and they were handed down from generation to generation.
Mantra meditation utilizes the power of sound as a method of inducing introspection and subtle mental changes, and to evoke mental and psychic manifestations. A particular mantra is usually repeated over and over again either verbally or mentally, producing mental tranquillity, concentration and awareness of the inner processes of the mind. It is a powerful method of allowing meditational states to flower.
Mantra in Manifesting Form
Mantra is the vehicle of consciousness to manifest form (the things we see with our eyes). The mantra is the direct link with the beyond. The world we know is materialized and shaped through mantras, through sound at all levels and degrees of subtlety, generally way beyond one's usual perception of sound. (In String Theory, it is expressed that the building blocks of reality at the micro-quantum level, is a vibrating band of energy called strings. How they manifest as objects of reality is how they vibrate. This points to sound as a means of creating form. Following this logic, if we create powerful sounds through mantra, we create powerful vibrations that determine how these strings manifest as objective reality. If we put intention and gratitude into our mantra, we begin to manifest this intention. In this process, we architecture reality. We hold the power of creation through mantra.)
Receiving Mantra
Ideally, the mantra should be received directly from a guru or a person with elevated awareness, for as it says in the Kularnava Tantra,"Only the mantra which is received from the guru will release its power." If you have received a mantra through initiation in this manner, then you should use it in japa. (it is unlikely that we meet a guru anytime soon who'll be giving us a mantra, so best to rely on what's available and established out there...there are too many anyway - Aum, Kreem, Hreem, Shreem, Aim, Dum, Hum, Aum Namah Shivaya, Rama, Krishna, Durga, Aum Mani Padme Hum, etc.).
On other occasions, in a heightened state of awareness, a mantra can just flash into your mind. You don't conjure this with desire or imagination. It just happens and you'll know beyond a shadow of a doubt. Use this mantra henceforth.
In the absence of a mantra, use OM / AUM.
Types of Mantra
- Baikhari Japa (aka: vachika) - this is an audible mantra chanted loudly usually by a group in ashrams. Beginners, people with disturbed minds and people who are depressed, angry or agitated benefit from this. Chanting in baikhari is a good start even for an experienced devotee. This transitions the mind into a calmer state before more subtle chanting follows. An example of this mantra is the maha mantra, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
- Upanshu Japa - this mantra is usually chanted with lips moving but only audible to self. Practitioners of upanshu are usually those who chant for long periods of time - 10-12 hours/day for a number of days. This is more advanced than baikhari. (this is the mantra chanting I do - soft enough not to disturb anyone, but enough to create the physical vibration I could resonate with.)
- Manasik Japa - this silent mantra is chanted inside the head when the mind is calm. This type of chanting is the most subtle and suitable for exploring the deeper realms of the mind. When the mind wanders too much, it's a good idea to shift into baikhari until the mind calms down, then shift back to manasik. (I've done this before, but I don't experience the physical vibration of the sound and focus drifts away. It felt incomplete to me.)
Anushthana
To fortify a mantra practice, some yogis subscribe to anushthana - a vow to finish the mantra within a time frame or within a specified number of repetitions. This could be chanting a mantra 11 hours/day for one month, or perhaps repeating a mantra 108 times daily. This vow commits you in continuing the practice - important, because the enthusiasm wavers over time. This also helps in hardening the resolve of the mind.
Guidelines (Dos and Donts)
- when chanting, sit facing north or east
- pronounce the words right. A story goes that an American woman recited Gayatri Mantra with wrong pronunciation. She lost her voice and took 10 years to gain it back. In mantra, the sound is important - not your definition or meaning to that sound.
- when the mind wanders, don't fight it. Just remain a witness, observing that thought without being engaged by it. The thought will eventually lose traction and go away, in full compliance to the law of impermanence.
- when the mind wanders, shift the chant into baikhari...verbal and audible. Then shift to upanshu and then to manasik...becoming more subtle.
- if you have a private mantra, never disclose this to anyone
- chant your mantra whenever there is free time...while waiting for a webpage to download, waiting for a bus, etc. This also develops awareness and being present.
A Mantra is Personal
Every person has to experience the power and meaning of the mantra for himself - it cannot be communicated or taught to him by anyone else. A person's experience of a mantra is always unique...as unique as the individual himself. For this to happen, the person has to reverberate with the vibrational frequency of the mantra itself until the mantra and the person can no longer be discerned - the mantra is fused within the person, they both become one.
Mantra and the Divine
Mantra is shakti (power). It is a direct link to the divine. Therefore, when chanting mantra, feel the personal connection to your divine essence. Fill your heart with love and let it welling-up of feeling expand. At some point, the heart will spontaneously chant the mantra. You don't need to chant the mantra - the mantra chants itself.
Chanting OM
OM is a pure sound...a mantra. Its meaning and definition is already present in its vibrational frequency as you chant it. It's one of the most powerful sounds that ever existed. It is the only sound you can utter without using your tongue. Terminally ill patients who have already been refused by hospitals have regained their full functionality and lived a full life by taking refuge in OM.
OM is chanted into 3 but linked sounds - A-U-M.
A is chanted from the Manipuraka Chakra (navel). Feel it reverberate there and expand throughout the body. As you chant the A, slowly round your mouth and you begin to chant the U. Feel the U in your Anahata Chakra (heart) and resonate with it. Lift your focus up to your Vishudhi Chakra (throat) as you slowly close your mouth, chanting the M. Feel the vibration of the M spread inside your head.
The 60-Minute Class
- introduction -
- warm-up - surya namaskars + squat variations
- OM chanting
- "A" with slightly parted lips, seven times while feeling the reverberation throughout the body emanating from the navel
- "U" with rounded lips, seven times while feeling the reverberation throughout the body emanating from the heart
- "M" with lips together, seven times while feeling the reverberation throughout the body emanating from the head
- Mantra and Chakra - The 7 major chakras have their own mantras. While doing pranayama, focus on these chakras. On the inhale, visualize the energy being funneled to the chakra. Hold for 1 count. On the exhale, chant the mantra and feel the reverberation of the chakra. Meditating on the chakras activates their energy and restores the body to optimum functionality.
- LAM - for the Muladhara Chakra
- VAM - Svadhisthana Chakra
- RAM - for the Manipuraka Chakra
- YAM - for the Anahata Chakra
- HAM - for the Visuddhi Chakra
- OM - for the Ajna Chakra and the Sahasrara Chakra
Ending Thoughts
Mantra is pure sound and sound is powerful. You can talk to a tree or bird, and they won't understand you. But chant a mantra, sing a melodic song, give it intention, and tests have proven that animate beings respond to it. Sound is not to be discounted - it has influence on everything. With mantra, you bridge the chasm between the fictitious reality we make, and the construent essence of reality.
By reverberating with the sound, the body is relaxed, the mind is stilled, and the emotion is soothed. Through repeated practice, this dissolves the physical solidity of the body until subtle vibrations are felt, until unseen lights are visible and silent sounds are heard.
Abstract? Of course, it is. This is not reality as we perceive it. But then again, reality has many layers to it. A good example would be the electromagnetic spectrum (the entire range of light that exists). Our visual perception only allows us to see the visible white light (which is a collective of all the colors we see, as diffracted through a prism). We think that is the sum total of our reality. But within the electromagnetic spectrum, white light is a mere section. Before that are low-frequency waves - radio waves, microwaves and infra-red. Higher frequencies beyond the white light are ultraviolet rays, x-rays and gamma rays. We just don't see them so we normally think they never existed until we found ways to detect and measure them.
With this realization of how powerful sounds are, I can no longer unhear and be moved by nature's own mantra - the rustling of the leaves, the deafening roar of a thunderclap, the shattering sound of lightning, the sound of a waterfall hitting a plunge pool, etc. Glorious sound is everywhere, serenading us...if only we stop for a moment and listen.
--- Gigit (TheLoneRider)
YOGA by Gigit
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Sources:
- Yoga Makaranda 1 by Tirumalai Krishnamacharya
- Yoga Makaranda II by Tirumalai Krishnamacharya
- Yoga and Kriya: A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
- Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha by Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Leave a comment?
Reader Comments:
Anonymous(Oct 27, 2021) It's necessary in mantras to feel the vibration to get the benefits?
Gigit
(Oct 27, 2021) No, it's not a must. The yoga books don't say so. It's my own hack on mantra chanting based on my Vipassana Meditation practice. In Vipassana, you come to a point where the gross solidity of your body is not longer felt. You only feel a mass of vibrations arising and passing away. By reverberating with the vibrational frequency of the mantra, I'm deconstructing my physical solidity - not unlike the biblical walls of Jericho crumbling down with the power of sound.
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Chiang Mai INFORMATION
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Chiang Mai FYI / Tips
- crop-burning season in Chiang Mai is between late Feb to early April. But laws change everytime. This year, 2019, there is a 61-day ban on burning so the farmers started burning early. When my plane was approaching Chiang Mai on Jan 24, 2019, there was already a thick blanket of smog covering the entire city (and beyond). But within the city itself, you won't feel it (but that doesn't mean the air is healthy). To monitor air conditions in real time, refer to site: Chiang Mai Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI)
- hot season begins March and lasts until June
- wet season begins July and lasts until September
- best time to visit Chiang Mai is mid-September to mid-February - after the monsoon and before the burning
- you have to try Khao Soi, this is north Thailand's culinary staple
- the tourist area where most of the hotels, restaurants, ticket offices, tour operators are, is located in the Old City
- to exchange your dollars to Thai Baht, the Super Rich Money Exchange give the best rates. There are many branches scattered around Chiang Mai
- get a red cab (songthao) outside the train station for Baht 50 (instead of paying B100 if inside the train station) to Old City - if you haggle nicely enough...I did!
- shared red taxi (songthao) - B30 standard fare plying all over Old City
- for only B50/day, best to rent a bike to go around the Old City - it's a 2.5km2 with lots to discover
- FREE daily yoga classes from 9:00am to 10:15am at Nong Buak Hard Park (southwest corner of Old City). Resident and passing-through teachers take turns conducting yoga classes.
Blues/Jazz Bars in Chiang Mai
- North Gate Jazz Coop - at Chang Phueg Gate, great Tuesday jam session, Blues on Sundays at 11pm by the Chiang Mai Blues band
- Boy Blues Bar - at the Night Bazaar. Mondays at 9:30pm is open mic
- My Secret Cafe - near Wat Phra Singh. Tuesdays at 7:30pm for the changing front-act and 9:00pm for the Panic Band
- Taphae East - 88 Thapae Rd. (just north of Night Bazaar). Fridays at 9:30pm by Chiang Mai Blues Band
Chiang Mai Cost Index
- B60 Chiang beer
- B250 1 hour drop-in yoga session
- B200 one hour Thai body massage at WAYA Massage (highly recommended)
- B50 noodle soup with meat
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- B450 bus, Chiang Mai to Bangkok
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- B1250 bus, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
- B1650 slow boat, Chiang Mai to Luang Prabang
- B210 bus, Chiang Mai to Chiang Rai, 3-4 hours
- B360 Green VIP bus, Chiang Mai to Mae Sai (Thai border town for visa run to Tachileik, Myanmar)
- B50 bicycle rental, 24 hours
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- B273 #51 sleeping train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai
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- B2000 full day elephant sanctuary
- B750 Chiang Rai one-day tour
- B1500 mountain biking scenic ride
Chiang Mai Trains by Train36.com
- Chiang Mai trains for Bangkok - 2 day trains, 3 night trains, daily schedule
- Train 14 to Bangkok - departs 5pm daily, arrives BKK 6:15am, 1st class and 2nd class sleeping accomodation, Special Express
- Chiang Mai trains to other destinations -
Chiang Mai to Bangkok Trains
source: railway.co.th- Check Train Schedule & Fares
- Book Online - direct booking with State Railway of Thailand. Best to register first. If going to BKK from CNX, click "Northern Line".
note -- big difference between booking direct with the State Railway and booking with an online 3rd party agent. 12GO was charging B1330 for the same trip that only cost me B941 with the State Railway.
note -- Oct 2022, I took the #10 Train from CNX to BKK, upper berth, 2nd class, a/c, sleeper, B941. The train was clean, fast, comfortable and modern. If you have heavy luggage that will cost more money in flight checkin, I would suggest this train. Otherwise, the flight now is so much cheaper it doesn't even make sense to take the bus or train.
Bangkok to Chiang Mai by Train from Bang Sue Train Station
For more train info: Bangkok to Chiang Mai trains - departing from Hua Lamphong - MRT (Bangkok)
(I'm using Bang Sue as a starting point because I was closer to it, but you may be closer to the Hua Lamphong station)
- take the MRT train to Bang Sue Station. Take the #1 Exit to the north provincial trains
- Proceed to Counter 2. You will see an information booth, a train schedule chart and the ticket counter. Choose the train and pay at the ticket counter.
- daily train schedule:
- 8:48am - #7 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:30pm, not sleeper, B638
- 2:06pm - #109 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 4:05am, sleeper
- 6:31pm - #9 Premium Train, arrive Chiang Mai 7:15am, sleeper, B938 upper deck, B1038 lower deck
- 7:56pm - #13 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 8:40am, sleeper, B768 upper deck, B838 lower deck
- 10:22pm - #51 Train, arrive Chiang Mai 12:10pm, sleeper, 3rd class B270 (non sleeper), 2nd class B438, B728 upper deck, B798 lower deck
Loei to Chiang Mai by Bus
- From Loei town center, take a tuk-tuk ride to the bus station, B30. There is only one bus station.
- As of June 28, 2020 (still on Covid schedule), there are only 3 night trips: 8:30pm, 9:30pm and 12 midnight. 9 hours, B470.
- The bus makes the following stops at the following times from a 9pm Loei departure: Phu Ruea (9:50pm), Phitsanulok (12:40am), Uttradit (2:20am), Lampang (4:35am)
- Final bus stop is at the Red Bus Arcade, Chiang Mai, 9 hour-trip, arriving 6am (from 9pm Loei departure).
- Take a red songthaew to Old City, B50. They'll try to charge you B100, but they'll take B50 (just assure the driver you won't tell the other passengers).
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- Chiang Mai Peoplescape Aug-Sep 2020 Sep 30, 2020
- Siddhis (yogic super powers) Sep 30, 2020
- Learning the Import/Export Trade Sep 4, 2020
- Music and Magic at Justin's Birthday Bash Sep 3, 2020
- Biggest Stone in his Shoe Sep 1, 2020
- Abandoned Aug 25, 2020
- Intelligent Romantic Break-up Aug 25, 2020
- Dad-Zoned Aug 18, 2020
- Public Display of Affection Aug 9, 2020
- Gabriella's Birthday Bash at Mothership Resort Aug 8-9, 2020
- Shifting Peoplescape of Chiang Mai July 31, 2020
- Yoga Class for Strength and Muscle Jul 30, 2020
- Yoga Class for Optimum Digestion July 29, 2020
- Yoga Class for Healthy Eyes Jul 27, 2020
- Hippie Night at Nawa Saraan Healing Space July 24, 2020
- The Podcast Series: Alan "Heart Math" Strydom Jul 17, 2020
- Prana Vayu Adhitthana Yoga Class July 11-12, 2020
- Coming Back to Chiang Mai Jun 29, 2020
- Goodbye Chiang Mai Jan 23, 2020
- Prasnopanishad: Understanding Prana Jan 17, 2020
- Hiking the Monk's Trail Jan 15, 2020
- Chaturanga Jan 10, 2020
- You Spooned Me Jan 3, 2020
- 2019: A Year in Review Dec 31, 2019
- Friends, Coffeemates and Breadmates (Dec 2019) Dec 31, 2019
- Visiting Mae Sot Dec 27-30, 2019
- Let's Make it About You - an Epiphany Dec 17, 2019
- Shut-Up! Dec 7, 2019
- Roasted Red Bell Pepper Puree Dec 3, 2019
- Coffeemates and Breadmates (Nov 2019) Nov 30, 2019
- Bhujangini Mudra Nov 25, 2019
- Mathangini Mudra Nov 24, 2019
- Kaka Mudra Nov 23, 2019
- Pasini Mudra Nov 20, 2019
- Aswini Mudra Nov 18, 2019
- Sambhavi Mudra Nov 16, 2019
- Manduka Mudra Nov 15, 2019
- Tataka Mudra Nov 14, 2019
- Sakti Calana Mudra Nov 10, 2019
- Vajroli Mudra Nov 9, 2019
- Coffeemates and Breadmates (Oct 2019) Oct to Nov 5, 2019
- Yoni Mudra Nov 1, 2019
- Viparita Karani Mudra Oct 31, 2019
- Khecari Mudra Oct 30, 2019
- Mahadeva Mudra Oct 28, 2019
- Sacred Cacao - Chakra Dance Journey Oct 26, 2019
- Partner Healing with Natascha Oct 24, 2019
- Maha Bandha Mudra Oct 24, 2019
- Point-Of-Failure Birthday Workout Oct 22, 2019
- Mula Bandha Mudra Oct 21, 2019
- Hugfest at Thapae Gate, Chiang Mai Oct 19, 2019
- Anushasan Mudra Oct 18, 2019
- Ling Mudra Oct 17, 2019
- Jalandhara Bandha Mudra Oct 15, 2019
- Learning Thai with Cee Oct 13, 2019
- Uddiyana Bandha Mudra Oct 10, 2019
- Nabho Mudra Oct 9, 2019
- Maha Mudra Oct 7, 2019
- 20 Essential Mudras by T. Krishnamacharya Oct. 6, 2019
- Mindfulness Gong Bath by Vee (Veerayuth Pongsiri) Oct 3, 2019
- Cuddle Party by Abundant Love CM Oct 1, 2019
- Vayu Mudra Oct 1, 2019
- Visa-Run to Tachileik, Myanmar Sep 28, 2019
- Sankalpa Mudra Sep 27, 2019
- Surya Pradarshini Mudra Sep 26, 2019
- Eye-Gazing at Heart Space Sep 20, 2019
- Prana Vayu (Pranic Wind) Sep 20, 2019
- 2-Week Yoga Challenge by Agnese Erba Sep 17, 2019
- The Mudra Project Sep 13, 2019
- Sunday Vinyasa Flow with Marina Forster Sep 8, 2019
- Shamanic Breathwork by Rachel Constantino Sep 4, 2019
- The Conscious Peoplescape of Chiang Mai Aug 31, 2019
- Of Winos and Yogis Aug 26, 2019
- The 9 Jhanas of Buddha Aug 22, 2019
- Wicked Game: Anger and Pain August 19, 2019
- Full Moon Ceremony at Heart Space Aug 15, 2019
- Yin Yoga - Water Element by Martina Barabas Aug 15, 2019
- Hatha Mix Yoga with Christin Aug 13, 2019
- Boy Blues Bar Rocks Chiang Mai Aug 5, 2019
- Back to my Beloved Chiang Mai Aug 1, 2019
- Kaleidoscope of Chiang Mai's Peoplescape July 27, 2019
- Secret Sunrise: Nelson Mandela International Day July 17, 2019
- Farewell Picnic with Alan and Nicola July 15, 2019
- Secret Sunrise: Water July 3, 2019
- Hotel Review: Arun Suite June 27, 2019
- Bruce Lipton: Epigentics to Transcend Genes June 24, 2019
- Optimizing Life thru Heart Math May 8, 15 and 22, 2019
- Connective Cacao and Sound Journey June 12, 2019
- Chiangmai BLUES June 6, 2019
- Hatha Slow Flow with Neil Jefferson June 3, 2019
- Meditating with One Million Meditators Movement June 1, 2019
- Vinyasa Happy Flow Series by Vaida May 31, 2019
- Muay Thai at the Chiang Mai Boxing Stadium May 30, 2019
- Yoga Flow Through the 7 Chakras by Sabrina Pilz May 30, 2019
- The Outsiders (people you need to push out of your sacred circle) May 31, 2019
- Fascinating Peoplescape of Chiang Mai May 22, 2019
- World Meditation Day at Heart Space May 21, 2019
- Abs Yoga by Gigit May 12, 2019
- Kundalini and Vinyasa Yoga with Nicola Symons May 10, 2019
- Secret Sunrise Interactive Dance May 9, 2019
- Tok Sen Massage from Ying May 8, 2019
- Bruschetta: Nawa Saraan Style Apr 22, 2019
- Thai Cooking at Pra Nang Thai Cookery School Apr 20, 2019
- Bonding with the Elephants in Chiang Mai Apr 11, 2019
- Ziplining in Chiang Mai with Eagle Track Zipline Apr 10, 2019
- Getting Thai Massage from Chiang Mai's Best (Lar Thanakrit Khamtanong) Mar 21, 2019
- Being the Soul of Nawa Saraan Hotel Mar 18, 2019
- Peoplescape of Chiang Mai Jan 24 - Mar 13, 2019
- Curing Cancer with Yoga? Feb 21, 2019
- International Training Massage School (ITM): Level 1 Feb 11-15, 2019
- Sandesch Album Launch by Christoph Joerg Feb 13, 2019
- Meditation in a Sensory Deprivation Tank at Float Chiang Mai Jan 29, 2019
- Reiki Share at the Mastermind Brain Spa Jan 26, 2019
- Resuming Life in Chiang Mai Jan 24, 2019
- 4 Days in Chiang Mai at Nawa Saraan Hotel Jan 2-6, 2019
- Mike Chong Aug 8, 2018
- An Intimate Conversation with my Universe in Chiang Mai Aug 8, 2018
- Kneaded and Pampered at Zira Spa Aug 4, 2018
- Savoring a Baht 3,500 Birds Nest Soup at Natural Bird Nest by Burapa Aug 3, 2018
- Yoga Exploration at The Yoga Tree with Gernot Aug 1, 2018
- Laughter Yoga with Saffiya Arnous July 31, 2018
- Yoga with Adam at Hidden House Yoga, Chiang Mai July 29, 2018
- 2 Weeks in Chiang Mai July 25 - Aug 7, 2018
- A First Timer in Chiang Mai Apr 9-23, 2016
- Chiang Mai's Amazing Peoplescape Apr 9-23, 2016
- Dance Mandala in Chiang Mai at The Yoga Tree Apr 19, 2016
- Songkran Waterfight Festival in Chiang Mai Apr 13-15, 2016
- Border Crossing from Siem Reap (Cambodia) to Bangkok (Thailand) to Chiang Mai April 9-10, 2016
Travel Tips for Thailand
How to Get a 60-Day Thai Tourist Visa and then Extend by another 30 Days
This process is BEFORE Covid 19. Not sure what it is now.
- Bring the following to the Thai embassy:
a) proof of money (bank statement will suffice)
b) flight booking to Thailand
c) onward flight back to your country from Thailand
d) filled-in tourist visa form
e) 2 passport pictures
f) hotel booking in Thailand (they didn't ask me for this but better be safe)
g) passport with at least 6 months validity - After handing over all the documents, they will ask you to come pick your passport with the visa the following day from 4 to 5pm. That's it!
- NOTE: after 2 successful attempts, I was already questioned the 3rd time.
60-Day Thai Tourist Visa
NOTE: There is no need to go back to your country to get the Thai tourist visa. Any major city with a Thai Embassy will do. Apparently there is also no need to have an invitation from a Thai establishment to justify the visa.
- bring the following to the Immigration Office:
a) passport (make sure your Tourist Visa hasn't expired yet)
b) Baht 1900
c) photocopy of your passport + visa duration date stamp + TM6 card (white immigration card) and sign all the copies
d) completed TM7 visa extension form (available at the Immigration Office)
e) one 4cmx6cm passport picture - submit the above to the Front Desk. They will give you a stub with your number on it. Take a seat and wait for your number to be called
- when your number is called, your picture will be taken. Then go back to your seat. They will call you again.
- when they call you again, they'll give you your passport with your extended visa. That's it!
- when there are no lines, the whole process can take only 10 minutes
30-Day Extension
NOTE: When your 60-day visa is close to expiry and you want to extend your stay. No need to leave Thailand.
Book Train Tickets in Thailand
Book Train Tickets in Thailand Online by Train36.com
General Travel Tips
- arrive early - in case there is a snag (visa snag, documentation snag, transport ticket snag, etc.), you will have ample time to troubleshoot the problem if you arrive early (to the airport, to the bus terminal, etc.)
- put detailed itinerary on the Calendar apps of your smart-phone according to timelines - this is where you do all your thinking and planning. Once written down, you don't have to think anymore while you are on the journey...you just follow the steps. This frees your mind for something else that might happen while you are already en route
- avoiding scams - as a general rule, I ignore the touts or anyone I don't know who call out to me. The calling comes in many forms - "Hi! Where are you from?", "Excuse me! Excuse me!", "Where are you going?". I don't look them in the eye and I remain non-verbal with them. If you reply to them, you just gave them an 'in' to hound you. In order not to look rude, I smile and wave the 'not interested' hand to them, without looking at them.
- power bank - hand-carry your power bank. Do not check it in. You can be called in when you are already inside the plane to go all the way to the loading dock so you can personally remove the power bank...and chances are, you'll have to surrender it to them. And you might delay the plane departure!
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