By Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, YACEP
What is mantra meditation and why is it important? There are many different mantras that can be used for meditation, but some are more effective than others. The best mantras are those that are simple and easy to remember. Some of the most popular mantras include “Om,” “Aum,” and “Om Namah Shivaya.” These mantras can be chanted aloud or repeated silently in the mind. Mantras can be used for a variety of purposes, such as reducing stress, increasing focus, or promoting relaxation. The best mantras are those that are short and easy to remember. They should also be mantras that have a personal meaning for you. Some of the best mantras often include “Aum” and “Shanti.”
Improved Concentration
One of the benefits of mantra meditation is improved concentration. When you focus on repeating a mantra, you are training your mind to focus on one thing. This can lead to improved concentration in other areas of your life. The improved concentration can help you be more productive at work, have better focus while studying, and feel less stressed overall. When you focus on repeating a mantra, you are training your mind to focus on one thing. This can help you to be less scattered in your thoughts and more present in the moment. Mantra meditation can also help you to better handle stress and anxiety.
Reducing Anxiety
Mantra meditation is a powerful tool for reducing anxiety. By repeating a mantra, we create a positive vibration that calms the mind and soothes the nervous system. There are many mantras to choose from, but one of the most effective mantras for reducing anxiety includes “Om Shanti Om.” Repeating this mantra regularly can help to ease anxiety and promote peace of mind. Above is an example that you can try for yourself. Personally, this mantra cultivates inner peace in challenging times. However, your reaction to any mantra is your personal experience. Therefore, there is no right or wrong. You can also practice at different times of day and notice different results.
Training the Mind for Positive Changes
If everyone practiced mantras, senseless violence would be drastically reduced. Mantra meditation is an effective way to train the mind for positive changes. The repetition of a mantra helps to focus the mind and can lead to a more positive outlook on life. Mantras can be repeated out loud or silently and can be used for personal transformation. When choosing a mantra, it is important to select one that resonates with you on a deep level. The power of a mantra lies in its ability to bring about change from within. Mantra, Japa, and prayer are powerful tools for a quality life.
Coping with Inner Conflict
Uniquely, we are able to observe inner turmoil. Mantra meditation is a powerful tool for achieving inner peace. By repeating a mantra, we can create a space of stillness and calm within ourselves. This allows us to let go of our thoughts and worries, and simply be in the moment. The repetition of the mantra also helps to quiet the mind, making it easier to focus on our breath and achieve a state of mindfulness. Sometimes, it’s great to sit back and listen to mantras, prayers, or Japa, while we focus on pranayama. Lastly, just enjoy the experience and notice how it improves your life.
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Practical Ways to Include Chanting into your Yoga Class
By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed
It is not uncommon for many of us, even those of us that are regular Yoga practitioners, to experience a jumble of racing thoughts that seem to be unmanageable at best, and a catalyst for long-term anxiety issues and depression at worst. Traditionally, a comprehensive Yoga session includes a number of practices to still the mind, in addition to the physical postures that help to keep the body healthy, limber, and strong. The classical Yoga practices of meditation, chanting and pranayama help to quell unruly, negative thoughts and emotions.
Obstacles in Teaching
However, many Yoga teachers find it difficult to include mantra or mantra meditation in their classes due to time constraints and unfamiliarity with these methods on the part of both the instructor and the students. Chanting sacred syllables, mantras and scriptural verses has been shown to calm an overactive mind, focus one’s attention on positive, uplifting thoughts, and even balance the flow of life force energy throughout the body. By including even a ten-minute session of chanting in your Yoga class, your students will leave class feeling even more peaceful, energized, and ready for the next part of their day or evening.
Teaching Mantra Practice
If you are a Yoga instructor and your feel intimidated leading your students through mantra meditation, you may find it helpful to chant along with a device. It is quite easy to find recordings of traditional kirtans that are energizing, uplifting and soothing, all at the same time! By practicing with your phone or tablet before Yoga class, you will easily be able to lead your students through a brief and effective chanting session.
If your Yoga students are unfamiliar with chanting, you may find that starting with a simple call and response kirtan will help your students to feel comfortable with this profoundly effective spiritual practice. There are a number of well-known kirtan artists who have recorded albums that offer many traditional kirtans. A few of these artists are Krishna Das, Jai Uttal, Wah, and M.C. Yogi. Their albums are readily available online and at the retail books and music stores. You can also download a number of their tracks directly onto your device.
© Copyright – Virginia Iversen / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
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