Mantras

Many people not only focus on thoughts and body sensations as they Meditate, but many people also focus by way of reciting Mantras.

A mantra is a repeated word or phrase used as a form of meditation or concentration. It is often used in mindfulness practices and is believed to have the ability to improve mental and emotional well-being.

One study published in the International Journal of Yoga examined the effects of mantra meditation on stress and well-being among college students. The study found that practicing mantra meditation significantly reduced perceived stress levels and improved overall well-being among the participants.

The researchers concluded that the repeated use of a mantra during meditation can help individuals focus their attention, regulate their breathing, and enter a state of deep relaxation. This can lead to a reduction in stress and anxiety and an improvement in overall mental and emotional well-being.

Mantras can be used while you meditate.  They are identical to Affirmations, Counter Points or Gratitude Statements. Feel free to use your custom mantras, targeting your specific negative thinking) and recite them slowly over and over again. Breathe between each statement, and don’t rush – be gentle and patient. FEEL each word as you recite your Mantra statements. Work slowly up the Optimistic ladder over time.

Neuroscience tells us that what we focus on and pay attention to changes the function and structure of our brains. Saying affirming Mantras changes the areas of the brain associated with positive feelings, affiliation etc…  When this happens, our thinking starts to change and become more automatic. Our negative stories diminish and our positive outlooks dominate more often.

Give it a try!