Mantras have a tradition of thousands of years in India and in Buddhist practices. The word mantra is composed of “manas”, which means mind or intellect, and “tra”, which stands for tool. Thus, mantra means “tool for the mind”. The word as a tool serves the mind to gather, stabilize and calm down. Sound, especially in a repetitive way, acts on the mind and interrupts the usual thinking routines and “chatter” of our mind.
Thoughts create reality
Thoughts are not “just” thoughts, they are the tools from which our reality is formed. The majority of our thoughts and beliefs are anchored in our subconscious and work from there with every step we take. Perhaps you have heard the term “beliefs” or “belief patterns”. “I can’t do this”, “I’m too bad for this” are two widespread belief patterns that have arisen through repeated experiences or through repeated hearing and thus became beliefs of our subconscious.
During the first six years of our life we are in a trance-like state in which we absorb everything that happens in our environment unfiltered. So if we hear that we are too small for this, too bad, that we always have to make an effort, etc., then this accompanies us from then on. Until these belief patterns no longer feel right and we therefore deal with our situation, filter it out and change it.
How Mantras work
The Indians assume that by naming we create our world. This concept is also the basis of the idea that every word has an inherent power. If we use words consciously and appropriately, we can create exactly the world in which we feel comfortable, in which we can grow and which allows us to unfold through their meaning and their vibration.
Every thought creates a path in the brain. The more often we think a thought, the wider this path becomes and the wider the path, the more often our brain uses this path. If your paths of doubts, fears and worries are wide, this creates even more doubts, fears and worries. If your paths of trust are wide, you can always fall back on this path and your trust in yourself, in life, etc. becomes more.
How you can use Mantras for yourself
The Indians, who have been using and researching Mantras for 3500 years, say that words have an effect on you when they have a meaning for you. When you use Mantras, you should therefore use words that you understand and to which you feel a connection.
If you use mantras in Sanskrit, ask about the meaning of the words.
The best known is certainly OM and perhaps you have used it at one time or another. But are you aware of its meaning?
OM is a word from the Vedas. Actually this word consists of three letters – A+U+M. In the Vedas, the holy scriptures of Hinduism, A, U and M stand for three gods, namely Vishnu (A), Shiva (U) and Brahma (M). But they are also understood as symbols for states of consciousness: A means waking, U stands for dreaming and M for deep sleep. In addition there is a fourth state – silence. This fourth part is not heard.
Furthermore, OM stands for “Everything that has been, that is and that will be”. It stands for wholeness.
If you use the mantra OM without knowing its meaning, it is only a word. However, if you feel what it stands for, namely “Everything that has been, that is and that will be,” for wholeness, you can engage in it in a completely different and new way and can broaden the paths of knowledge of the wholeness of all being in your brain.
Which Mantra should I use?
The best thing is to get an overview of the area of your life in which it is speared.
Do you feel uncomfortable at work because you feel that you are not doing enough, not being able to do enough?
Then your mantra could be: “I am ok the way I am.”
Do you feel unloved?
Then your mantra could be: “I am worthy of being loved.”
Do you have difficulties and always have to overcome big hurdles?
Then your mantra could be: “It´s okay when things go easy.”
Look at your situation and think about which Mantra hits the core of the situation. It is not just about finding the reversal of your belief pattern, but to go a little deeper and explore the core.
Why do I feel that I am not doing enough? Were there experiences in my childhood that lead me to this assumption? When I think of a key experience: What triggered this conviction in me back then? How did I feel before that?
How often should I use Mantras?
Basically: the more often, the better.
Repeat the mantra several times, several times a day if possible. Repeat the Mantra wherever you are. You do not have to go into a meditative state. Whether you are on a bicycle, on the bus, at work, on the sofa, cleaning, walking, cooking, you can say and repeat your Mantra anytime, anywhere.
Use a Mantra for at least one month. It takes time to widen the paths.
Concentrate on one mantra. One path at a time. You will see that Mantras that are well chosen affect more than one area of life.
“I am ok the way I am”.
With this mantra you cover many areas and allow yourself to grow in many directions.
If you like to have a guided mantra meditation, I recommend this Youtube video.
