Mantra is a Sanskrit word often translated as ‘something to lean the mind upon’. A mantra is a tool for cultivating awareness and reflection, and is one of the most common meditation techniques (along with breath meditation) used around the world today (Hindu and Buddhist traditions and TM).
In mantra meditation the object of our focus (or our anchor) is a short word, phrase or sound - repeated over and over - aloud or silently in the mind. As you repeat the mantra your mind fixes on the sound and vibration, your body relaxes and your breathing slows. In time there is a sense of the breath weaving itself into the rhythm of the mantra (like a seductive song) .. and this gentle repetition stills and centres us, until eventually the mantra drops away and we rest in stillness.
When we use a mantra that holds a meaning, when the words repeated have significance, then our mantra can influence our mind state, leading us away from the subconscious negative mind chatter fuelling our feelings of stress, to a sense of calmness and ease that we associate with the word.
Today your mantra is “RE-LAX” ... silently note the mantra “RE” breathing in and “-LAX” breathing out .. “RE-LAX”.
The beauty of mantra is that you can do this practice while continuing your daily tasks. While on the train, brushing your teeth, eating your lunch or attending a meeting (especially is feeling anxious or stressed in the meeting).
The mantra is a gentle and consistent background track in your mind .. helping to calm and centre you .. whatever you are doing.
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