Since ancient times, mantras have been used in Eastern culture to meditate, improve concentration and open energy fields. These are sacred sounds that range from a simple syllable to phrases with more specific intentions and that have the purpose of programming the mind to attract more positive energies into your life. Most commonly, a guru or meditation teacher will give you a mantra to recite. However, you can also choose your own chant and decide which mantra defines you.
If you don’t know where to start, in this Psychology-Online article we will explain how to choose your mantra so that your intentions are filled with a lot of positivity.
What is a mantra
A mantra is a tool used in spiritual and meditative practices to focus the mind and achieve a state of tranquility and inner connection. Basically, it is a word, sound or phrase repeated regularly and constantly, both out loud and silently.
Etymologically, it comes from Sanskrit, an ancient language of India. The word “mantra” is formed by the words “man” which translates “mind” and “tra” which means “liberation”, so the literal translation of mantra would be “the liberation of thought” or “what serves to free the mind.”
The use of mantras has a long tradition in Hinduism and Buddhism, where they are considered a way to connect with the divine and reach higher states of consciousness. However, the concept of mantra and its practice transcend these traditions and are used in other spiritual and cultural practices around the world.
History of mantras
The origin of mantras can be traced back to ancient teachings and practices found in the Vedas of India, which They date back to more than 1000 BC. c. They are said to have been unique spiritual formulas composed of sacred syllables that were revealed at that time to the Rishis (seers or sages) during deep states of meditation. Later, they were extracted from the thousands of verses of the Rig-Veda.
There are traditional mantras that are songs and hymns that have been recited since ancient times and that continue to be passed down from generation to generation. On the other hand, personal mantras have more to do with a individual experience and a more personal connection. Here you will find more information about the .
Now that you know a little more about what mantras are and their history, let’s see how you can choose your own personal mantra.
Identify the intention of your mantra
The first step in choosing a mantra is to identify What is the intention for which you are going to meditate?. For example, if you want to have more peace in your life, open your energy paths, overcome fears, find love for yourself or your partner, among other personal goals.
Once you are clear about your internal motivations, you will know the focus you should give to your mantra so that it responds to your particular needs. For example, if you want to increase compassion in your life, you can use a Buddhist mantra like “Om Mani Padme Hum” or a simpler phrase like “I am love and compassion.”
Let yourself be carried away by your intuition
To choose a suitable mantra you must believe in the power of your own intuition. That is to say, let your subconscious mind guide you towards the perfect chant that will align your energy chakras. Allow that mantra to come from your heart and forget about so many external recommendations that do nothing but confuse you and take you away from your individual focus.
Research and familiarize yourself with existing mantras
When it comes to choosing a personal mantra, it is important to conduct research to familiarize yourself with existing mantras. This implies spend time researching and exploring different spiritual traditions, such as Hinduism or Buddhism, where mantras have a long history and have been transmitted over the centuries.
In your research, you can read books, search for online resources, explore sacred texts, and study the mantras used in these traditions. This will allow you to have a greater understanding and appreciation of the richness and diversity of existing mantras.
Knowing the mantras present in different spiritual traditions also gives you the opportunity to discover which ones resonate most with you on a personal level. To achieve this, you can experiment with repeating different mantras and observe how they make you feel and you will see that some mantras may resonate more deeply with you, evoking a sense of calm, connection or positive energy.
Make a list of words that inspire you
There is no rush for you to choose your personal mantra. On the contrary, Take all the time you need so that your mind and your heart align and you get that song that will reach your own spiritual energy. Our advice is to write a list of words or phrases that match your individual values and that also respond to your intentions.
Here is a list of personal mantras that you might find interesting:
- For empowerment: “I am capable of great things.”
- For resilience: “this too shall pass.”
- For love: “I am, I give and receive love.”
- For tranquility: “I walk, breathe and live calmly.”
In the following article you will find the.
Find a positive approach to opportunity
Your personal mantra must be free of negativity, so should not include the word “NO”. For this reason, when you make the list of your possible mantras, replace the phrases like “I don’t want to be afraid anymore” with more positive ones like “I am going to face my own fears and overcome them.”
Look for inspiration anywhere
You can find that mantra that “clicks” with your inner needs almost anywhere, whether in a movie, a phrase, a poem, in a book… Of course, always try to make them phrases that identify you, that They make you feel powerful and move something inside you.
There is no written recipe for choosing your personal mantra because inspiration can come from anywhere, even during a personal conversation. The idea is that you experiment with different sounds and syllables until you reach the mantra that identifies you.
Test your mantra
The personal mantra will accompany you in moments of reflection and meditation. So that you feel more comfortable with it you should try it for a short period of time. For example, you can recite it out loud so that you notice how you feel when you hear it.
Start by reciting it slowly, then faster, and then in a whisper that leads you to say it in your mind. It will be your own subconscious that will tell you whether or not it identifies with this mantra you chose.
Stick to your mantra and repeat it frequently
There is no point in choosing your mantra if you don’t encourage the habit of reciting it. Don’t make the mistake of constantly changing mantras because this way you will not be able to obtain the results you are looking for. And although it has incredible effects, most of its good results depend on consistency, habit and patience.
It is advisable to spend at least 40 days with a specific mantra to establish a really strong and regular intention. After you have the intention set, you can change your mantra or even have different mantras for each aspect of your life.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Hurtado, B (2021). Enactive awareness and emotion in Tibetan Buddhist mantra meditation. Official magazine of the Pontifical University of Chile. http://resonancias.uc.cl/es/N%C2%BA-35/conciencia-y-emocion-enactivas-en-la-meditacion-con-mantras-del-budismo-tibetano.html
- Quiceno, J.M., & Vinaccia, S. (2009). Health within the framework of the psychology of religion and spirituality. Diversitas: Perspectives in Psychology, 5(2), 321-336.