The use of mantras as a wellness practice has been around for over 3,000 years. In her book, Mantras Made Easy, Sherianna Boyle compares mantras to "family heirlooms or secret recipes", passed down from generation to generation in the ancient language of Sanskrit. They were used for healing and spiritual growth. Boyle refers to mantras as "word energy" that one taps into. "You are not only tapping into the energy of the words, but a level of consciousness that was put into those words by those who repeated it before you." Therefore, you are not just repeating words, but you are transforming the words into energy and that energy creates a transformation in the physical, emotional and spiritual body.
Mantras help you see yourself and your life situations in a different, more positive way.
In my yoga and meditation practices, I use mantras to help me breath properly. Knowing how to use the breath is important in creating a sense of calm in the body. Breathing from the belly (inflating the belly as you inhale and allowing it to deflate on the exhale) stimulates the lower lobes of the lungs, which is where the calming nerves are located.
In using the breath when repeating a mantra, you repeat part of the phrase on the inhale, and the rest of the phrase on the exhale. A simple way to begin a mantra practice is to slowly say "I breathe in" as you inhale and "I breathe out" as you exhale. Repeat this 10 ten times. You can practice this in your car sitting in traffic or at a red light. Use it in the morning to start your day in a positive way. Try it at night as way to quiet the mind before you go to sleep.
Other benefits of introducing mantras into your wellness routine...they are free! You can repeat them anywhere! You don't need any special equipment! You can repeat a mantra while walking, gardening, when meditating or praying. As Boyle states in Mantras Made Easy, "two simple words, such as thank you, can be the mantra you state before meals...or at beginning of your day".
Beginning Monday, April 22nd, I will be hosting "28 Days of Mantras for Living" on my Facebook page, Lotus Cove Yoga and Meditation. I will be posting a new video every day (April 22 - May 19) in which I will introduce a new mantra and the meaning behind it. Most of the mantras will use the power of the breath (inhale/exhale) as explained above. There will be mantras for happiness, love, healing and overcome fear/anxiety.
In the meantime, I leave you with the following mantra from Buddha to practice with this week:
Copy/print it and put it on your mirror, your refrigerator or on your dashboard. Say it when you get up, before you go to bed or while your loading your dishwasher. Say it several times throughout the day. Don't just repeat the words, but really think about the meaning and the power of the words. Let this mantra be your source of inspiration this week. If you don't think you are on "the path", look for things that come up during your day that help you see that you are either on "the path" or working towards it. Allow the power of this mantra to help you find joy, happiness and gratitude for all you have, especially if you don't see or feel it in this moment.
Mantras can provide clarity, balance and calm in a world that seems to take these things away. If you are interested in learning more, you can contact me at sadaley81@gmail.com and you can join Lotus Cove Yoga and Meditation on Facebook. Join before
April 22nd so you don't miss any of the "28 Days of Mantras for Living" event.
Namaste💜
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