What is a mantra? And how do you choose your mantra?

What is a mantra? A mantra is a word, sound, or phrase repeated to help you focus while meditating.

What is a mantra?

When using a mantra, it is believed that only positive intentions and actions will fill your mind and eliminate negativity.

A mantra can be as simple as the word "love," something you are grateful for, or a phrase like "om shanti, shanti, shanti, shanti" representing overall peace. You can also meditate on an affirmation, such as 'I accept myself.'

Many people are fortunate to be given a mantra by a teacher or guru.

However, you can choose a mantra for yourself based on what you need in life. When choosing a mantra, you should consider your inner motivations for practicing meditation.

Whether you are seeking positivity, health, happiness, self-love, or simply looking to find balance.

Here are some of our favorite modern mantras

• Endurance/Strength: "This too shall pass."
• Love: "I am love."
• A Calmer Mind: "Smile, breathe, and go slowly."
• Being Present: "Be here, now."
• Allowing the Universe to Guide You: "I am open to receiving universal gifts."
• Happiness: "Today, I choose joy."
• Letting Go: "Close your eyes, release your heart, let it go."
• Empowerment: "I am capable of wonderful things."

Some of our favorite ancient mantras:

• Om Namah Shivaya: "I honor the divinity within me" to help with self-confidence.
• Om Hreem Shreem Shreem Hara Hara Hara Swaaha: This mantra will help you attract abundance into your life.
• The Gayatri Mantra: The Gayatri mantra (below) is the oldest prayer that encourages being guided by the universe, as it is divine.
• Om bhur buvah svah svah
• Tat savitur varemyam
• Bhargo devasya dhimahi dhimahi
• Dhiyo yonah prachodyat

Or you can simply choose a word (the words below are in Sanskrit):

• Shradda - Faith
• Bhakti - Devotion
• Shanti - Peace
• Prajna - Wisdom
• Santosa - Contentment
• Veda - Knowledge
• Ananda - Bliss
• Moksha - Liberation
• Dharma - Righteousness
• Prasada - Grace/clarity