Mantras are the powerful Sanskrit or Tibetan words or phrases chanted during Japa meditations or other kinds of yogic practices.
Mantras rise above words of affirmations when it comes to their potency. They are uttered for every bead in a Japa mala bead, and these words resonate with your intention.
Mantras are inseparable from Yoga as one of its earliest aspects. Written in the ancient Vedic scripture of early India, they first came from the visions seen by the Rishis during a deep meditative state. Back then, mantras were chanted as part of religious ceremonies and were often considered secret.
A mantra then is a tool to help control and focus the mind. The vibrations of the words create a frequency that aligns with your intention and helps to open up the subconscious mind.
When you chant a mantra, you are not only speaking the words but also vibrating them through your whole body. The mind, body, and spirit connection is activated and the benefits of chanting mantras are vast.
Benefits of Chanting Mantras
There are many benefits to chanting mantras. The most notable ones include:
1. Calming the mind: When we chant a mantra, we create a certain vibration in our bodies. This vibration helps to quieten the monkey-mind and bring us into a more meditative state. When the mind is calm, we are better able to focus and connect with our true nature.
2. Manifesting our desires: As we stated before, mantras are powerful words that resonate with our intention. When we chant a mantra with focused attention, we are better able to manifest our desires into reality.
3. Connecting with our higher selves: Mantras help to quieten the mind and allow us to connect with our higher selves. When we connect with our higher selves, we are able to access our intuition and guidance.
4. Healing the body: The vibrations created by chanting mantras can help to heal the body on a physical, emotional, and mental level.
5. Boosting self-confidence: When we chant mantras, we are reminded of our innate power and beauty. This boost in self-confidence can help us to tackle life’s challenges with ease.
How to Chant Mantras
Now that you know the benefits of chanting mantras, you might be wondering how to get started.
Here are a few tips:
1. Find a comfortable place to sit or stand. You can close your eyes if you’d like but it’s not necessary.
2. Take a few deep breaths in and out to help you relax and center yourself.
3. Start chanting the mantra slowly at first and then increase the speed as you get comfortable.
4. You can chant out loud or internally, whichever feels more natural to you.
5. Chant for as long as you’d like. A good rule of thumb is to chant for at least 3-5 minutes per day.
Now that you know how to chant mantras, it’s time to choose one!
Our Favorite Mantras
There are many different mantras to choose from, each with their own unique benefits.
Here are a few of our favorites:
1. Om: This is perhaps the most well-known mantra. It is a universal sound that can be used for any intention.
2. Om Namah Shivaya: This mantra is used for protection, self-purification, and to connect with the energy of Shiva.
3. So Hum: This mantra means “I am That” and is used for self-realization and to connect with the divine.
4. Lakshmi Mantra: This mantra is used to attract abundance, prosperity, and good fortune.
5. Ganesh Mantra: This mantra is used to remove obstacles and promote new beginnings.
6. Om Mani Padme Hum: This mantra is used for compassion, and self-love, and is considered as the most powerful mantra in Buddhism.
7. Sarva Mangala Mangalye: This mantra is used for general well-being and to invoke all the auspicious energies.
8. Gayatri Mantra: This mantra is used for wisdom, and knowledge, and bestows the energy of the sun.
9. Medicine Buddha Mantra: This mantra is used for healing.
10. Om Namo Narayani: This mantra is used to humble the ego and bow to the divine.
Now that you know some of our favorite mantras, it’s time to start chanting! Remember to be patient and go at your own pace. Chanting mantras is a personal practice and there is no right or wrong way to do it. The most important thing is that you do it with an open heart and the intention to connect with your Higher Self.