Chant a traditional meditation phrase or noise. “Om,” if it doesn’t make you feel silly or interrupt your ability to focus your mind, is actually a great way to start. Other sounds could be “Ah” or “Mmm.”
Choose a positive affirmation that combats a lie you unknowingly tell yourself. In our daily lives, we put detrimental phrases on repeat in our heads without even knowing it. Like a lot of women, I’ve spent too many years struggling with perfectionism, and trying to appear completely put together all the time. One of my favorite mantras has been “I commit to just being myself.” Seems a little cheesy when I type it out like that, but it’s been really healing to have that on repeat every morning as a buffer for other, insidious phrases that can creep in. (I highly, HIGHLY recommend Judith Lasater’s book Living Your Yoga if you’re more interested in this, or in incorporating yoga and meditation into daily life).
Pick a virtue you wish to develop. Struggling with being patient? Need to be a little kinder (to yourself or others)? Chant the virtue you wish to cultivate in yourself. “Patience” or “kindness” or “hope” all make great mantras.
Craft your mantra in the positive and keep it short. If you’re choosing a phrase that is specific to you and your current situation, keep it short (one short sentence) and keep it positive. If you’re trying to let go of control, use something like, “My hands are open,” instead of, “I don’t need control.”
Use technology to help. Rebecca mentioned on Monday that she uses an iTunes version of her favorite mantra, “Om Namah Shivaya” (also one of my favorites—it’s super calming). There are mantra apps that help you pick a phrase in Sanskrit, there are iTunes songs that play a mantra on repeat. If you’re drawn to something in Sanskrit, this is a great way to learn a rhythm of a phrase.
This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
