So, what exactly is a mantra?
‘Mantra’ is the Sanskrit word for “sacred utterance” and is a word or phrase that you repeat over and over again. By reciting a mantra, it is thought that powerful good energy and intent is released. Mantras are often used for meditation purposes and are traditionally used in the Hindu and Buddhist faiths.
However, mantras can also help us with everyday things, to inspire us, motivate us, or just to ground us. A mantra is much more than just an inspiring quote; it can also be a phrase, or chant you can make up for all for yourself.
In fact, the ones you create yourself can be better, as they solely relate to you and your situation, and therefore can have a deep resonance and are thus more powerful.
Here are a few examples of mantras and affirmations that you can use yourself, or use as examples to help you create your own powerful mantra.
#1 Om Mani Padme Hum
Let’s start off with a traditional mantra and perhaps one of the most widely known spiritual mantras.
“Om Mani Padme Hum” is a Sanskrit mantra that, as well as being carved on rocks and recited aloud, is also written on pieces of paper and put into Tibetan prayer wheels.
There have been many interpretations of what it means, but basically the six syllables are thought to contain all the teachings of Buddhism, and so it cannot really be translated into one phrase in English. The literal English translation is, “Praise to the Jewel in the Lotus.”
There are plenty of resources on the internet about this powerful mantra, and it is a good place to start for anyone interested in mantras.
#2 Behind me is infinite power, before me is endless possibility, around me is boundless opportunity. Why should I fear? – Stella Stuart
Wow! Positive affirmations like this doesn’t come around that often. I love these words.
After reciting them a few times you really begin to realize that the world and the universe truly are open and abound with endless possibility. Imagine saying this mantra to yourself every morning in the mirror. It would really start your day off with a powerful intention.
Try it…and see what happens!
#3 I Love You, I’m Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Thank You – Ho’oponopono
This mantra, known as the Ho’oponopono process, was first brought to mainstream attention by the author Joe Vitale in his book Zero Limits.
The book is about a Hawaiian therapist, Dr. Len, and his method of self-healing. It is based on the premise that we are responsible for everything that we see in our world. We are, therefore, called to heal the wounded places in ourselves by repeating this powerful mantra with feeling.
So, wherever you feel pain, focus on this – it might be an old argument that has been left to fester, or the hurt left from an old flame. It may seem a simple process, and it is, but it can have a deeply profound affect.
#4 I have chosen to be happy because it’s good for my health – Voltaire
This mantra has a dual purpose: Not only does it make you happy, but healthier, too.
When you actively choose to be happy, you will be, but you have to make that choice. At the end of the day, it is up to us alone how we react to things and how we perceive situations in our lives. Also, it’s not uncommon knowledge nowadays that what we think we become, or that our mind affects our physical health.
Voltaire offered us this wise adage centuries ago, and we should seriously take his advice if we want to be happy and healthy.
#5 Close your eyes, clear your heart, let it go. – Anon
This mantra is an inspirational quote as well as a great piece of advice to live by.
We all hold onto things for longer than we should: unnecessary grudges, maybe, a throwaway comment made years ago that we still hold on to, or some other negative emotion that is doing us no good whatsoever.
We cannot hold on to things forever – it’s just not healthy for us; we need to let things go. We need to stop holding on to negative thoughts, and surround ourselves with positive ones instead. We need to make room for what feels good.
#6 Keep your head up and your heart open – Anon
You won’t find better advice!
In the same vein as the mantra/quote above, this guidance allows us to ‘breathe’ once more. We have let all the bad negative stuff go before we will be ready to swim in the wonderful waters of abundant life again. We can only do this if we keep our heads up and our hearts open.
There is no need to be afraid; there are so many opportunities available to us right now, if we truly listen, with our hearts.
#7 I flow from a place of grace – Anon
This is such a calming and grounding mantra. Try it with meditation or during your yoga set; it really can make you feel so attuned and at one with who you are.
I also like to remind myself of gratitude at this time, to remind myself that we are all ultimately from a place of love, healing and grace…regardless of our religious beliefs.
This is a brilliant mantra for day to day use, when we are feeling stressed or have many things going on in our lives. When we take a few moments to be ‘at one’ with ourselves, have some ‘me time,’ this is can be a wonderful, powerful, yet simple mantra.
As I said earlier, the best mantras are often the ones we create for ourselves. I like to have a mantra that I can modify from time to time; one that portrays who I am and carries with it the pure intention direct from my inner being. Usually, it is something simple that I can easily remember.
So now it’s your turn! Do you have a daily mantra? Why not share them with us in the comments below?
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