Sylvia Browne is one of America's most celebrated psychic and spiritual teachers today. She channels a spiritual guide, Francine, who aides her in psychically seeing the past, present and the future with such accuracy that it "blows the minds" of people everywhere. Sylvia also uses her own altered levels of consciousness to predict the past and the future. Sylvia helps police to investigate criminals with great accuracy. She uses her psychic abilities to help people heal from serious diseases. She puts people in touch with their deceased loved ones and helps people to unravel their psychological problems through past-life regressions.

Sylvia is able to visit what she calls as "the other side". The other side is the domain to which a spirit retires after death or temporarily visits during sleep . . . [It is a realm] that appears to have no physicality of its own although its form is perceptible to spiritual sight. As a spirit, Sylvia has unraveled a wealth of material about the other side.

Sylvia's experiences provide validity to some of the teachings of Hinduism. For instance, the practice of mantras is a very important tool to connect with the divine within Hindu worship. Each god and goddess has his/her own mantra. In fact, the mantra is the very essence, the body of the divine so to speak. The mantra is often a two to three syllable sound that carries the energy of a god or goddess. In Sanskrit, the mantra is known as a seed (bija). Just as a seed carries the whole tree within itself, the mantra carries the deity's presence and qualities within its structure. The mantra practice is based on the theory that if one continually chants the mantra, either quietly or out loud, the deity is expected to appear before the practitioner. The theories about mantras are indeed very complex. However, everyone familiar with mantras knows this much - to get help from a particular deity, you have to chant the deity's mantra.

The important question to ask is, "Do mantras belong to Hinduism or are they a universal, transcendental phenomenon?" From reading Sylvia Browne's writings, it becomes evident that mantras belong to all souls in general. In her book, Sylvia talks about her visits to the Hall of Tones on the other side. The following is a description of the Hall of Tones:

"The Hall of Tones

When each of our souls was first created, we were given our own individual Mantra - a specific word or series of syllables - to which our spirits will eternally resonate. Every mantra starts with Om, which is a word of affirmation and ascent, followed by a tone that is typically made up of two syllables. Mine is 'Shreem'. (I didn't light up with instant recognition at the sound of my mantra, however.) Apparently and sadly, their divine resonance gets drowned out too often by the noise of our conscious minds here on earth." (Life on the Other Side by Sylvia Browne, P.111.)

Sylvia Browne's channeled information is very useful. Shreem, which is Sylvia Browne's own mantra, is the mantra for Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. Similarly, the mantra Kiri is the sound for Kali, the ferocious goddess who kills demons. I am sure that from what I know of the writings of Sylvia Browne that she herself is not aware of the Hindu background of the mantras. Some of the explanations of the mantras that come from Sylvia are quite profound and esoteric. For instance Sylvia says that the mantra is the sound of "affirmation and ascent". Very few people will understand the depth of the statement. It is not the place to discuss it in this small article.

However, it is interesting to follow Sylvia's thoughts about the Hall of Tones. She says that the mantras will put you in touch with your genetic lineage. As a matter of fact, you can accomplish a lot of your material goals through the use of mantras. The success of Transcendental Meditation worldwide is due to the use of mantras. Sylvia herself has given a guided meditation to find out everyone's mantra. If you can't find your own mantra, you can use specific mantras for a specific result.