Mantras And Meditation
How To Meditate And Chant
Jul 16, 2009 Janis Masyk-Jackson
A mantra is a word or phrase that has significant meaning to the person using the mantra. This word or phrase is chanted either aloud or within a person's mind while meditating. Most of the time the mantra has some kind of religious or spiritual meaning.
The use of Mantras came about during the Vedic period of India, a time where many changes were taking place within the country. Often times mantras were chanted by groups. These mantras were created by Vedic poet-sages.
In ancient India, mantras were used by healers when they thought a person was possessed by demons. Mantras were also performed when healers made medicine.
How To Use A Mantra During Meditation
The first thing to do is to pick a mantra to meditate with. If taking meditation classes, often the teacher will assign a mantra. If meditating on your own, merely pick a word or phrase that holds a significant meaning. A mantra should be something very personal.
Although many mantras are faith-based, a mantra does not have to hold a religious or spiritual meaning. The important thing is to focus on the mantra during meditation not only hearing the sounds, but feeling the vibration of the sound throughout the body.
Beginning A Meditation Using A Mantra
As with any meditation, it's important to find a quiet place away from distractions. Sit down, keeping the back straight. Try to quiet the mind and begin breathing deeply. Start chanting the mantra. Allow the mantra to resonate throughout the body.
Try to coordinate the chanting of the mantra with breathing. For example, breathe in and then while exhaling, say the mantra. For those chanting for religious or spiritual purposes, the goal is for the mantra to help one keep the mind off of other things and focus on the Divine.
Words Or Phrases Used As Mantras
There are many words or phrases that can be used as mantras. A very simple and common one is Om. For Christians, "The Lord is my shepherd," is a common mantra. A popular Hindu chant is Om mani padme hum, which is a chant for compassion.
If meditating for a specific purpose, choose a mantra that reflects your goal. For example, if feeling stressed out and meditating to relax, chant the word "peace." If going through a difficult time in life, try chanting: "Life can only get better and brighter." It really all comes down to what is most meaningful to an individual.
How Long To Chant And Meditate
There is no set time for how long one should meditate using mantras. It's best to practice for at least 5-10 minutes, then take a couple of minutes when the meditation is over to allow oneself to reflect on the meditation. However, the longer one meditates, the more benefits the person meditating will receive.
So remember, the key to using mantras is to choose one that has meaning and will best benefit you. Feel free to experiment with different words and phrases until finding one that feels right.
Readers may also enjoy Breathing Meditation, along with How to Practice Walking Meditation andLearning Zen Meditation
Sources:
- Meditation For Dummies, Stephan Bodian, (Wiley Publishing, Inc.,) 2006.
- The Best Guide To Meditation, Victor N. Davich, (Renaissance Media, Inc.,) 1998.
- Meditation The Complete Guide, Patricia Monaghan & Eleanor G. Viereck, (New World Library,) 1999.
Chanting With A Mantra While Meditating
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