CHOSEN IDEAL

The Chosen Ideal, or "ishta" in Sanskrit, is the aspect of the Godhead chosen by a spiritual aspirant, or by his guru for him.  Through meditation on his Chosen Ideal, the aspirant attains, over time, concentration of mind, love of God, and ultimately illumination. The Chosen Ideal can be Ramakrishna in Vedanta, or any of the Vedic gods, Vishnu, Kali, Krishna, etc., or be figures from other religions, such as Christ, the Buddha, Muhammad, and so forth.

Related to the Chosen Ideal is the mantra.  A mantra, or mantram, is the particular name of God, corresponding to the Chosen Ideal, with which the aspirant is initiated into spiritual life by his guru.  The mantra, considered as one with God, represents the essence of the guru's instructions to the aspirant.  The aspirant is instructed to keep the mantra sacred and secret, and to meditate on the aspect of God which it symbolizes for the remainder of his life.  Repetition of the mantra called japa, performed regularly and reverently, results in purification of the mind, and ultimately in the realization of God. 

In his book Religion in Practice, Swami Prabhavananda suggests that one's Atman, the personal aspect of Brahman, be one's Chosen Ideal.  "Let your Atman become your Lord, your Chosen Ideal, and keep your mind and heart concentrated on him.  The simplest method given us is to chant the name of God, such as Om, Srim, Aim, Hrim, etc., in a mantra.  The Name and his Being are identical.  When you repeat your mantra, the Presence is there immediately.  That is because Brahman is everywhere.  If you can't do anything else, chant the name of the Lord.  Make it a habit.  You will receive great benefit from it."