A mantra is a word or phrase that is repeated during the meditation. Such Mantras can be spoken, chanted, whispered, or repeated in the mind. People do mantra meditation for different purposes and different reasons.
Mantra meditation is ideal for?
Mantra meditation is ideal for people who have problems letting go of their thoughts. Through repeating certain mantra a student can become more conscious by focusing on the process. Mantras are usually associated with evocation – recalling/bringing image to conscious mind by repeating words or sounds. Evocation then turns in to invocation – calling upon merger with higher frequency consciousness. Mantra meditation can be ideal for people in the beginning of meditation session to help with letting go of running mind.
What is the purpose of the mantra during meditation?
A mantra can be a powerful statement or simply a collection of symbols with no meaning. Sanskrit mantras, including the sound of “Om” which students chant to open and close yoga practice, are especially potent because of the vibratory quality. Transcendental Meditation (T.M.), is known for the repetition of one’s personal mantra. When you undergo T.M. a teacher gives you a personal, secret mantra that you repeat silently. In T.M. mantra must be a meaningless sound so you don’t get caught up focusing on its meaning instead of meditating and must have a resonant vibration that is pleasing to the mind, naturally attracts attention. That way, the mind settles into the mantra rather than feeling forced to focus on it, drawing meditator deeper into blissful awareness.
How to mantra meditation for beginners?
Any sound, word or phrase you choose, must be something that you feel comfortable to repeat. A mantra composed of a single word is ideal since it is easier to remember for focusing. Remember, the aim of the mantra is to focus the mind on one word or phrase that would reduce the restlessness of the mind.
- Find a place to be alone and undisturbed. (Find Places to Meditate in Austin)
- You may sit down on a chair, on the floor, or on a pillow. Where you sit does matter, as long as it is a comfortable position, you keep your back straight, and you do not tense your body and muscles.
- Take a few, deep and slow breaths before you start.
- Clear your mind of everything, and then start repeating your mantra, aloud or mentally, at a moderate speed so you can say it and absorb it.
- You may close your eyes, if you wish, or leave them open.
- Try to stay calm and relaxed focusing on the process of producing and receiving high vibration frequency though sound.
How to choose mantra for meditation?
Before you choose your mantra, figure out your intention. What is your desire? Do you want love, compassion, strength, peace, money? You have to identify what you want to manifest for your life.
Unless it is a T.M. in other forms of meditations, you can choose mantra on your own, based on the one that helps you relax more. There must be a meaningless sound. This mantra does not have to be the point of focus for your meditation session. Instead, use the mantra to help you rest your attention on something that doesn’t promote conscious thought. Your mind will descend into less conceptual levels of thinking, until eventually achieving inner silence. Vibration must have a resonance to it, like the well-known “Om” used by yogis for centuries. This is supposed to match the natural vibrational frequency of the mind. In turn, it will quieten it as it is attracted to your chosen mantra. After you’ve chosen your mantra, set aside some time and find a seat to relax for practice. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths to relax. Now you may begin. If at any point you find your mind wandering during your session, bring your thoughts back toward your mantra or conscious energy flow around your palms. Continue to focus on your mantra for 30 minutes.
Reasons to do mantra meditation?
A mantra is given to you by a spiritual teacher as it carries the lineage of the mantra and makes it more powerful. However, you can choose your own based on what resonates with you the most. Mantras, especially mantra for focus is used to describe any word or phrase that has vibrations and shifts energy within you. In societies where mantra meditation has been an ancient practice, mantra was made with its own unique powers and properties and passed down from generation to generation.
Some FAQ:
What type of meditation uses a mantra?
Transcendental Meditation, Chakra Healing Mantras, Deity Mantras, General Mantras.
Does mantra meditation work?
Whether it is a thought or emotion that we keep running over, what we repeat over and over really matters. By selecting a mantra that directs our mind intentionally—whether it be a meaningless sound or an inspiring phrase that helps us focus—we take power back over our busy brains. Mantras don’t have to be used only in meditation or yoga class. These mind-vehicles can be used all day a centering tool.
What mantra should I use for meditation?
It is recommended you try mantra Om or OHM. Om is the all-pervading, omnipotent and omnipresent sound of the Cosmos. For this reason, it is also referred to as the energy that runs in our chakras. Om mantra repetition gives a threefold experience on the physical, mental and the astral plane.Thus, chanting ‘Om’ or ‘Aum’ is one of the best ways to start any meditation.
Which mantra is best for meditation?
These are some mantras that can be used for meditation.
Meaningful phrases with intention:
- I feel abundance all around me and within me.
- I am aligned with my highest truth
- I am completely open to the universe, and know that I am enough, just as I am.
- I have a crystal-clear vision on where I want to go in life, and I know that I am walking towards my higher purpose.
- May love and kindness reach all those around me.
- I find courage in my soul as I preside on this beautiful journey called life.
Chakras related mantras:
Lam – Lam is the first of the “seed mantras” for the seven chakras; this mantra corresponds to the first or root, chakra. Chanting lam can help to open, heal, and balance your root chakra; use this mantra when you feel ungrounded or unstable.
Vam – Vam is the seed mantra which corresponds to the sacral chakra. Use this mantra when you need to tap into your creativity or your feminine, emotional side, or when you’re feeling isolated.
Ram – Ram corresponds to the third chakra, or the solar plexus. Chanting or repeating ram can help you to feel more self-confident and assertive; it can also heal the third chakra in instances of perfectionism or imagined powerlessness.
Yam – The seed mantra Yam corresponds with the heart chakra; as such, use yam when you’re feeling either over- or under-empathetic. Yam can also help you to feel a greater sense of love, both for yourself and for those around you.
Ham or Hum – Ham or hum corresponds with the throat chakra and the center of our personal truth. When you find yourself feeling unable to speak your truth, or on the other hand, if you notice yourself speaking too much and not listening enough, repeating this mantra can bring you back into balance.
Aum or OM – Our final seed mantra, Aum or Om, actually corresponds to both the third eye and crown chakras. It follows, then, that this mantra carries multiple meanings. You can use this mantra when you wish to see the truth or to let go of attachment; also, this is a prime mantra for helping you to connect to your intuition or to the divine.
Other sacred mantras commonly used:
Namaste
– Anyone who’s been to yoga has heard the word namaste; it’s even more popular than om or shanti. Often, though, we don’t take the time to acknowledge what it means. Namaste implies an acknowledgement of divine light in ourselves and in everybody else. Use this mantra to help you see that we are all one, and all lovable.
Shakti (feminine power)
– Open and heal your sacral chakra with shakti, the force of free-flowing, creative, expressive feminine energy. If you’re feeling creatively blocked or rigid, using the mantra shakti (or OM Shakti) can help you to open yourself back up again.
Nirvana (free from enmity)
– Otherwise known as nirvana shatakam, this mantra essentially means “I am love”. To take this a bit deeper, nirvana teaches us that we are not our bodies, minds, or material possessions; at the very core of our being, we are nothing but love. Use this mantra to gain a sense of non-attachment and oneness during your practice.
One word English language mantras which carry positive vibrations:
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- Love
- Peace
- Unity
- Abundance
- Strength
- Health
- Vitality
- Calm
- Growth
- Safe
- Breathe
- Presence
- Light
- Worthy
- Grateful
- Kindness
- Hope
- Freedom
- Courage
- Power
- Bliss
- Joy
- Beauty
- Flow
- Graceful
Do you always need a mantra to meditate?
You do not need a mantra to meditate. Mantra helps with focus and many other things in meditation as mentioned above but you can achieve presence in meditation practice just by conscious breathing, visualization.
Try these Meditation Mantras yourself or join our Free Meditation session in Austin, TX to know how to do Meditation properly.