Mindful Monday
For today’s mindful Monday blog we will be continuing the theme of mantras and learn about traditional mantras, their meanings, and their uses. This will give us a better understanding of mantras when they are used in your yoga classes and may help you develop your own mantra which has the same intentions and effects as the traditional mantras but may be better suited for your individual needs. Let’s start by looking at the most common, which were listed in last week’s blog, starting with Om.
Om or Aum
Pronounced ‘Ohm’. The primal cry. It means ‘It Is, Will Be or To Become’. It is the most universal mantra. For its simplicity and specific sound, it is considered to be the sound of the universe. It represents the original vibration, the cycle of life – the birth and death. Reincarnation.
Research tells us there could be a scientific reason behind the popularity of Aum. Chanting Aum is thought to match the natural frequency of the universe – 432 Hertz, thereby bringing us to harmonically resonate with the cosmos. In contrast, most modern music is thought to be consistent with the 440 Hertz frequency.
Aligning yourself with the lower frequency will calm you down and ease you into your meditation process.
Om Nama Shivaya
The translation is ‘I bow to Shiva’. Shiva is the supreme God of transformation who represents the highest self.’ It is one of the most popular Hindu mantras. It is called the Shiva Panchakshara or simply Panchakshara. The five syllable mantra. (‘Om’ is excluded.)
The five syllables – ‘’Na’ ‘Ma’ ‘Si’ ‘Va’ and ‘Ya’ are thought to represent five elements of the world – ‘Na’ represents ‘earth’. ‘Ma’ represents ‘water’. ‘Si’ represents ‘fire’. Va represents the ‘Pranic air’ and the ‘Ya sound represents the sky or ether.
I am That I am
I am that I am’ reaffirms the conscious presence of God that is everything, where everything that is, is the infinite God.
While meditating, breathe in while saying ‘ham’. With that, you acknowledge your presence and everything that you are – your senses, your feelings, your experiences. Breathing out and continue saying ‘sa’ and with that you align everything that you are, with everything that there is. The lives of those before you, with their senses, feelings and experiences. The nature. And the universe.
Aham - Prema
The mantra is pronounced as ‘Aah-ham-pree-mah’. It translates to ‘I am Divine Love’.
Chanting this mantra, you are aligning yourself with divine love – everything that unconditional love is and can be for you. Acceptance, purity, compliance, admiration, adoration, appreciation, gratitude, forgiveness, affection, emotion, harmony.
‘Aham Prema’ is a simple mantra to be repeated in a chant 108 times. It brings together mind, body, and soul in peace. It will help you leave your past behind. It will clear your mind from distraction and will give you purpose. ‘Aham Prema’ will energize you and give you a fresh start.
Ho’oponopono
Pronounced ‘ho-oh-pono-pono’, it is an ancient Hawaiian Mantra. The meaning would be: ‘I love you; I’m sorry; please forgive me; thank you.’.
It is preferred by people who find themselves to be overwhelmed by feelings of anger, shame, who have issues cause by complex interpersonal relationships, or find themselves to be unable to express their feelings towards their loved ones. People who feel they have been wronged and find it difficult to achieve forgiveness themselves.
Saying ‘I love you’ opens your heart. Saying ‘I’m sorry’ keeps you humble. Saying ‘Please forgive me’ acknowledges your imperfections and saying ‘thank you’ expresses your gratitude. The mantra will heal your karmic imprint and give you a chance for a fresh start.
Om Mani Padme Hum
The translation of the mantra would be ‘Hail the Jewel in the Lotus’. It is a mantra, used by Tibetan Buddhists to achieve the ultimate state of compassion, also known as Chenrezig.
The mantra can be divided seen as a whole of all of its components.
‘Om’ is the primal sound of the universe. It brings you harmony and aligns you with the energy of the cosmos. ‘Ma’ – strips you down from your needs. It takes you away from the world of the physical and it guides you towards the spiritual. ‘Ni’ – Releases you from passion and desire. It leaves you peaceful and content. ‘Pad’ – frees you from ignorance and prejudice. You are left with love and acceptance. ‘Me’ – releases you from possessiveness. You are ready accept the world as it is. ‘Hum’ – liberates you from hatred.
Lumin de Lumine
Lumen De Lumine is the chant of the light. It helps you feel open to the world. It will immerse the participant in light. If your life is overpowered by darkness, Lumen De Lumine clears your aura and fills you in with brightness and energy. You will feel more awake and revitalized. It is the perfect balance between power and peace.
The mantra will give you the confidence you are protected from bad energies. You will feel strong, untouchable, invincible, like the sun.
Lumen De Lumine can touch anyone. You do not need to close yourself in your mind with this chant. Think of your beloved to send them positive energy and thoughts.
Sat Chit Ananda
Also known as Satchitananda, a compound Sanskrit word comprised of the three words ‘sat’, ‘cit’ and ‘ananda’.
Sat means ‘existence, being present, being alive, surviving, being true, being good, being right, natural, knowledgeable, honest’
Chit means ‘sense, feel, recognize, comprehend, acknowledge, to think about something, to form an idea, to be conscious, to think, to consider’
Ananda means ‘joy, bliss, pleasure, enjoyment, happiness, pure elation’
Some of us may be hesitant to practice mantra in class as we are unsure what we are saying, or we feel awkward hearing ourselves reciting mantra in public. Now is a great time to start as you are in your own space. Get comfortable hearing your own voice and experience the healing effects of the vibrations and power of using your voice! Next week we will be learning how to create our own mantra
Namaste!
Amber Green
Owner/Founder
Querencia
Works Cited
https://www.cleverism.com/mantras-for-meditation/