Stillness is a peaceful place and gets me out of my head and into the present moment. Sounds lovely doesn't? But stillness isn't always easy to achieve, trust me I'm a fidget. Connecting my breath to movement is a great moving meditation, and over the last few months, building mantra into my daily practice helps me achieve (some semblance of) stillness. I chant in the car, in my bed, running or while I wash the dishes.
My mantra meditation is largely Sanskrit. There is an intent and I like the sound of the chant and its effect on my body. In particular, I chant in honor and recognition of my Divine Self, that part of me that's beautiful and unique, my authentic self. Om Namaya Shivaya! I chant Guru Om to honor my teachers as well as the teacher inside, otherwise known as my gut feeling or intuition.
Other mantras are words of encouragement, when I'm running or riding up a hill I chant "I am strong! I am beautiful!' Or if the mental chatter is bothersome, I chant Let go. With an inhale I say let and with the exhale I say go. Completing malas is not mandatory for a mantra practice, make it your own. A few moments to chant (or even just to breathe) is all it takes maintain a place of stillness.
Mantra is etymologically and culturally Sanskrit and unsurprisingly the world's ancestors were on to a good thing. The underpinnings of mantra are also the basis for vibration therapy in that all matter vibrates at the same frequency and using resonant vibration brings matter back into balance. This is undoubtedly an oversimplification of vibration theory and mantra but I can't deny the sensations and emotions that often accompany my practice.
If your curious to learn more about mantra meditation consider this upcoming workshop Mantra Meditation at Samadhi Yoga and Wellness Centre.
No comments:
Post a Comment