Hi Driftwood,
Yes, it is perfectly alright to go back to the I AM mantra if the enhanced mantra is not working for you. It is a form of self-pacing. However, keep in mind that taking on a mantra enhancement will have a clunky stage which will usually refine in a few weeks or months. And mantras should always be taken on one step at a time over many months or years, as discussed in Lesson 369, not going straight to the last one in a short period of time.
The Forum AI offers a more detailed response to your question, drawing on the full AYP content, copied below.
All the best on your continuing path!
The guru is in you.
Forum AI: Yes, it is absolutely okay to go back to the I AM (AYAM) mantra if you find that you have shifted to an enhanced mantra prematurely or if it is causing instability in your practice. This is a fundamental application of self-pacing, which is the practice of adjusting your routine to maintain steady progress with comfort.
However, the sources offer several insights into why your experience might feel “less deep” and how you should evaluate whether to switch back.
1. The “Clunky Stage” of Enhancements
Whenever you take on a new mantra enhancement, there is a natural “clunky stage”. Because your mind and subtle neurobiology are not yet familiar with the new vibrational pattern, the mantra may initially feel more surface-level or mechanical.
The sources compare shifting to an enhanced mantra to shifting gears in a car. If you shift into a higher gear too soon, you may feel like you are “slogging through mud” or hitting a “brick wall” because the awareness stays on the surface of the mind. If this feeling persists for several weeks, it is a sign that you should return to your previous mantra for a few more months before trying again.
2. Measuring “Depth” vs. Effectiveness
In the AYP system, the true measure of your meditation is not your subjective experience during the session. Whether a session feels “deep” or “shallow” often depends on the specific inner obstructions (karma) being cleared at that time.
You should judge the effectiveness of the enhanced mantra by how you feel in your daily activity:
- Are you experiencing more peace, energy, and creativity during the day?
- Are you feeling more stable and radiant in your interactions?
- Conversely, if the enhancement is causing irritability, headaches, or “fried” nerves, you should definitely back off.
3. The Function of the Long Mantra
The specific mantra you mentioned (shree om shree om i am i am namah namah) is the longest mantra in the system. Because of its length, it is designed to slow down the rate of transcendence. This may be why it feels “less deep” compared to the shorter I AM mantra, which is more “vertical” and penetrates the mind more rapidly.
While this slower pace can feel less dramatic, it covers a “wider sweep” of the nervous system, potentially providing a more thorough purification and helping to stabilize inner silence more permanently in your awareness.
4. Guidelines for Returning to I AM
If you decide to return to the I AM mantra, keep these points in mind:
- Don’t Switch Often: Success comes from “digging your well in one place”. It is best to stick with one mantra for several months to allow it to “bake in” to your nervous system.
- Return to Stability: If you go back to I AM, do so with the intention of stabilizing there for at least 6 to 12 months before considering another enhancement.
- Maintain the Procedure: Regardless of which mantra you use, the procedure remains identical: easily favor the mantra when you realize you are off it.
In summary, if the third enhancement feels unproductive or unstable after a few weeks of consistent use, shifting back to I AM is the correct self-pacing move. You can make the entire journey to enlightenment using the I AM mantra alone; enhancements are simply tools to be used if and when they resonate with your path.