By Avalon Hicks
What is the practical application of mantra practice? For many individuals the practice of yoga is wide and encompasses many different aspects. Mantra and meditation are just two aspects of yoga practice that are utilized regularly and for good purpose. If you are new to the practice of yoga and meditation you will want to explore all that mantras can do for you in its entire entirety.
The word Mantra is from the Sanskrit language, which simply means a word or sound that is repeated in order to help concentration during the practice of meditation. There are many different mantras that are practiced throughout the world, depending on what divine force you feel is your center. Some common mantras used are Hindu, Buddhist, Christian mantras, or even basic mantras wishing peace to all living beings. You will need to explore which mantras will suit you and learn how to incorporate them into your meditation practice.
There are many different mantras that will aid with different areas of your health. Once you become familiar with the different types you can use them as needed. Typically a mantra can range from one syllable up to a combination of extensive sounds depending on what you are trying to accomplish in your meditation. It is recommended that you learn mantras from a teacher rather than reading from a book or other literature. With so many different mantras out there today you will want to choose your mantras carefully so that you get the desired result.
When you practice mantra meditation you are centering your core being. You are learning to calm your mind, focus your inner energy and put yourself at peace mentally and spiritually. With mediation practice you can become calmer, more focused and less stressed at everyday activities. It is important for everyone to know how to slow their bodies down and reconnect with their inner self on a regular basis. You will feel rejuvenated and more centered after mediation with mantras and will be able to go through your day more effectively and balanced.
One well-known mantra is the “Om” mantra. This mantra when repeated during meditation can bring a calming and balancing effect on you. The sound itself is easy enough to repeat for anyone and can be practiced for short or long periods of time depending on the overall purpose of the meditation. If you are just starting out with mantras during meditation you will want to start off slowly with practices of only a short amount of time until you become more practiced.
Mantras can be performed in coordination with your inhalations and exhalations of breath. This could be easily done for any beginner. The Om mantra can be long and drawn out with each breath in and each breath out at the beginning. When you become more practiced in the art of meditation and using mantras you can begin to use pulsing tones with your mantras in order to reach a different result from mediation. You may find once you change up your mantras to pulsing tones or other mantras you will feel more energized and get different effects.
You will find that during mantra meditation your mind will wander significantly. At the beginning it is normal for your mind to race and fill up with all of the thoughts of the day. We live in a busy world where silent, calming time is few and far between. Once you begin to practice mantra meditation more and more you will find your mind will calm easier and quiet itself. If you find thoughts coming and going, just let them be and be mindful of them without letting them take over your mantra meditation.
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Yoga Mantras for Different Purposes
Beautiful !
Before practicing an mantra you will need to explore which mantras will suit you and learn how to incorporate them into your meditation practice. Thanks for sharing this great article!
Learning mantra from a teacher is better than learning from reading book, Mantras can be performed in coordination with our inhalations and exhalations of breath.
learning mantras from a teacher rather than a book is better. you need to explore which mantras work best for you & incorporate them into your meditation practice. nice article.