What Are The Mantras?
The Definition of Mantra
Mantra is a word, sound or phrase repeated either out loud (chanting) or in the mind - to increase concentration while meditating. And since ancient times, mantras have been considered sacred and to be calming sounds.
The word mantra is derived from two Sanskrit words—manas (mind) and tra (tool). Mantra literally means “a tool for the mind,” and was designed to help practitioners access a higher power and their true natures. The earliest mantras were composed in Vedic Sanskrit in India and are at least 3.000 years old. Mantras now exist in various schools of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism.
They come in many forms; typically, they are melodic and have mathematically structured meters. In yoga, mantras are typically chanted in Sanskrit. Most mantras are without any apparent verbal meaning, but they are thought to have a profound underlying significance and are in effect distillations of spiritual wisdom.
There are several kinds of mantras that are used for different purposes. Such as peace mantras, purification mantras, specific purpose mantras, general-purpose mantras etc. Some mantras recite to seek protection against enemies, some are used to invoke God.
Over time, that vibration sinks deeper and deeper into your consciousness, helping you to eventually feel its presence as shakti—a powerful force working inside each of us that carries us into deeper states of awareness.
OM, The Most Famous Mantra
One of the most universally recited mantras is the sacred Hindu syllable OM—considered to be the sound of the creation of the universe. OM is believed to contain every vibration that has ever existed—or will exist in the future.
The Benefits Of Mantras During Meditation
• Increased self-awareness
• Reduced stress
• Greater sense of calm
• Increased self-compassion
• More positive outlook
• Increased focus
• Reinforcement of meditation goals
• Better control over breath
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