The practice of meditation has been around for hundreds of years. If you are new to meditation or have always been keen and interested, yet didn’t have a chance to learn more about it, this article is for you. Mantra in meditation is fundamental as it helps the person get closer to their spirituality and the Divine.
A mantra in meditation is a chant or utterance that helps get the individual closer to their spiritual awakening. In Hinduism and Buddhism, mantras help increase focus and quiet the mind. Many people who practice spirituality observe the chants to be religious, spiritual, and even magical.
When Did The Purpose Of Mantra Meditation Begin?
In the past, meditation may have only been reserved or practiced for individuals based on their spirituality, like gurus, priests, shamans or healers, to name a few.
While this is so, the practice was also prevalent in the East, including the Far East, Middle East, and Ancient Egypt. It took many years before meditation became a Western mainstream, along with yoga and other spiritual practice.
The purpose of mantra in meditation is part of the process and greatly increases concentration as it silences the thoughts and “chattering” of the mind.
While people adapt to new things, in certain parts of the world, meditation and mantras were unheard of, let alone practiced. Until later years when it became part of religious practice.
Similar to prayer, meditation seems like communication. Still, it’s a different form of communication with the divine. Prayer communicates by asking, thanking, and thinking, while meditation silences the mind which helps you communicate with the divine.
Mantras Like “Om” Stimulates the Vagus Nerve
The Vagus Nerve is responsible for a variety of functions and systems in the body like the nervous system, temperature and the immune system.
The nervous system can function even more optimally when paired with “om” sounds. Om is a form of meditative utterance that creates vibrations in the body. The word Om comes from the Buddhist chant “Om Mani Padme Hum.” This mantra is also said to invoke kindness or compassion in people who use the chant.
According to readings, it is also believed that when the mantra is broken down into syllables, there’s more to each one.
- Om, also pronounced Aum – is an ancient, even primordial sound that has always been in existence since the beginning of time. It cleanses ego.
- Ma – Cleanses jealousy and instills morals.
- Ni – Instills patience and cleanses desires.
- Pad – Promotes diligence and cleanses from judgment and ignorance.
- Mi – to cleanse from greed
- Hum – instills wisdom and cleanses from hatred.
The Benefits Of A Mantra
Chanting a mantra while meditating is a good way to increase the silence from everything around you. At the same time, it opens your mind and spiritual eye to everything. Mantras can benefit you in the following ways:
Mantras Can Help Keep You Grounded
In life, we deal with many things. Stress is only one of many other challenges. Our minds can sometimes wonder as we ponder on how to resolve specific issues or look for solutions to problems.
While you meditate, you can change your mind’s focus and silence all the other thoughts with a mantra. You can regard this as the beginning of the deeper stage.
Mantras Can Help Circulate Energy In The Body
We produce lots of energy and that being said, mantras can have that effect too. Since mantras like chants such as “om” stimulate vibrations, it connects to the body’s energy.
Meditation can lower anxiety and feelings of stress
Sitting still and silencing the mind is a powerful way to combat stress and the feelings accompanying it. It sets the tone for self-control and mindfulness.
Mantras Create Positive Thinking
When you grow spiritually, you learn many things. Mantras in meditation can help you grow spiritually. It will also help you see things from an “outside” point of view. Some things that used to have a negative impact on you may not bear the same impactful mark any longer.
When you are more positive in thinking, you’re able to set yourself aside from the situation and assess it without negative retaliation.
Examples Of Mantras Used In Meditation
Many mantras don’t have to have a specific meaning, except the ability to help you gain focus while you meditate and get a step closer to higher spiritualism.
Mantras include but are not limited to:
- Aum (Om)
- I attract prosperity
- I’m grateful for everything in my life
- I am kind to myself
- I am full of light
- I am a magnet for all that is good
- My mind is brilliant
- I conquer my fears and become stronger every day
- I don’t fear being wrong
- My body is a temple
Can You Make Your Own Mantra?
While it was only the sages, yogis, and other spiritual leaders who created mantras, today, the modern take is being able to make your own.
Think about words that have positive meanings that are impactful. Mantras may sound like positive affirmations, and by repeating them, you may be opening a path for the positive to manifest in your life as you grow spiritually.
Conclusion On Mantras In Meditation
Mantras are effective and should form part of everyone’s meditation practice. The versatility of mantras makes them possible to do even when you’re going about your day. You don’t have to speak the words out loud, but instead, let it be there in the back of your mind, in the stillness of your being.
