Do you find it hard to still your mind during meditation?
Do you tend to sit in your meditation class desperately trying to avoid thinking about what you'll have for dinner or those bills that keep piling up?
Let me assure you, you're not alone.
I was just like you, and sometimes those unwanted thoughts still trip me up, but I've come across a method that has helped me immensely, and perhaps you will find it useful, too.
First of all, don't underestimate the power of meditation. It's good for your general wellbeing. It helps you relax, build inner strength and promotes a healthy balance of mind-body-spirit.
But our busy monkey mind stops us from meditating effectively.
It's impossible for us to stop thinking. Even while we sleep, our minds produce thoughts in the form of dreams.
Buddhism suggests that instead of struggling to silence our thoughts, we should learn to outwit our restless monkey mind.
How are we going to do that?
By giving it something else to do - something meaningful, too! - which helps us create some powerful magic within us at the same time.
A couple of years ago, I discovered chanting whilst on a Buddhist retreat.
It may sound eccentrically New Age to you, but believe me, after initially feeling weird, I felt its benefit almost straight away.
When you repeatedly chant the same words in the ancient and magical language of Sanskrit, it becomes a mantra, which can gradually shift negative patterns in your life, depending on the meanings of the words.
So, depending on what you want to manifest in your life, you choose the mantra that can help you make it happen.
What I love about chanting is that you don't need to sit still or in a certain position; at the retreat, we walked in a circle on a meadow and around a fireplace (nobody else saw us 😄)
For example, you can chant whilst having a relaxing bath, go for a walk, or you can of course choose the traditional meditation position.
How many times should you chant the mantra?
The magical number is 108. The best way to count correctly during chanting is by using Mala prayer beads. One bead for a complete mantra, until the circle is completed.
My Mala prayer beads - turquoise beads divided by white beads into 4 x 27 sections
If 108 times sounds too much for you at first, you can also shorten your chant down to 27 or 54 times.
These numbers are important and in Buddhist and Sanskrit teachings they have magical powers.
The Number 108 divided by 4 equals 27. A Mala bead necklace is divided into four sections of 27 beads.
Do you need to have a good singing voice to chant?
No. You can simply recite the words repeatedly at a steady and regular pace.
Now that you know the basics, here are four chants I use:
1. Ham Sa
Pronounced: Hahhm Sahh
Meaning: I am That
This very basic mantra helps you ground yourself and focus on your breathing: Ham (inhale) Sa (exhale).
It is said to be a mantra for the heart; it helps you relax and centre. After chanting a round of Ham Sa, you may feel calm yet more energised.
2. Om Namah Shivaya
I discovered this chant in Elizabeth Gilbert's book Eat, Pray, Love. I love the sound when I chant it; its vibration resonates with me deeply.
Pronounced: Aum nah-mah shi-vay
Meaning: I bow to Shiva.
The Hindu God Shiva symbolises the inner self, so by chanting this mantra, you honour the divinity within yourself, and it is said to promote self-worth and confidence.
A spiritual healing mantra, it is made up of five syllables, which represent the five elements earth, air, fire, water and ether.
3. Om Kleem Shreem Brzee
This is an ancient Sanskrit mantra for bringing love and abundance into your life.
It is often recommended for attracting money or new romantic love, but abundance doesn't always relate to financial wealth, and love can also relate to friendships, connectedness and a loving support network.
Pronounced: check out this YouTube clip, and if you like, sing along to get into the groove 😉
Meaning:
Om - universal sound of creation Kleem - sound for spiritual development, love and devotion Shreem - sound for the divine feminine associated with abundance and prosperity Brzee - sound for removing scarcity from consciousness
Put these four sounds together, and you create an open mind and receptiveness to let love and abundance into your life by removing inner blocks and obstacles surrounding you.
You can shorten this mantra two-ways to make it more specific:
- Om Shreem Brzee - to attract abundance and prosperity
- Om Kleem Brzee - to attract friendships and relationships
4. Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung
A universal healing mantra, which consists of the sounds of the four universal energies
Ra - sun Ma - moon Da - earth Sa ( repeated) - infinity
together with Say So Hung, meaning I am Thou.
This mantra is said to build bodily resistance to disease and can have a healing effect on the body. Its sound stimulates flow and circulation of prana (life force) through the body.
Chant it steadily, inhaling Ra Ma Da Sa and exhaling Sa Say So Hung. Linger a little on the sound 'ng' in Hung as it is said to stimulate divine glands.
Notice this chant has eight syllables - the number of rebirth.
If you are a novice to chanting, then you may find the above mantras easy to pronounce and remember.
With regular practice you will notice their calming effect and power to help you focus your mind on manifesting your desires.
For more information, you can search online for chanting meditation for beginners, or google the above mantras.
There is a wealth of information freely available including viewpoints on how to chant "correctly".
Remember to keep it simple at first before you delve deeper. One step at a time.
Let me know how you get on, and if chanting is already part of your spiritual practice, please share your tips and favourite mantras in the comment box below.
I'd love to hear from you 💚
Warmest wishes,
Christiane
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