Creating your own mantra

Traditional mantras

A mantra is a sacred word or sound that can be repeated out loud or silently to help calm the mind and promote feelings of peace. An important part of many spiritual traditions and religions, traditional mantra meditation often uses existing Sanskrit hymns and chants to help one transcend the activity of the mind. Perhaps the most widely used and well-known traditional mantra is Om (ohm), which is a powerful acknowledgement of connection between all beings.

The use of mantras is also an important part of many yoga practices and often have their roots in the Hindu tradition. Many mantras invoke certain gods and goddesses, and when chanted, carry a certain vibration and energy, helping to ground the body and centre the mind.

Personal Mantras

A bit like a positive affirmation, a personal mantra is typically a statement or positive phrase of how one wants to live their life. When repeated to oneself regularly, they are a simple way to harness the power of positivity, bringing about feelings of calm, peace and clarity.

Creating your own personal mantra is thus a wonderful way to gain the benefits of mantra recitation and incorporate these into your daily life. While it’s possible to create a new personal mantra at any time; at the start of a new year, month, or season, it can have even greater value and meaning, as we look ahead to new beginnings.

In deciding upon your own mantra, you might choose one that reflects your hopes and goals, or one that helps you transcend any feelings of fear, stress, or other forms of negativity. You may also have different mantras for different reasons and occasions, thus creating a personal ‘affirmation toolbox’ ready to use as needed. The key with mantras is to use them regularly, whether spoken, in thought or written form.

Creating a personal mantra

There is no best way to create your own mantra, it may come to you easily or you may read or hear a phrase somewhere that has special meaning. If you have not yet created your own mantra and are unsure where to start, the following guidelines may be a helpful starting point:

1. Spend a little time meditating, journalling, or sitting quietly to let your mind clear and settle. What common thoughts, goals or desires come up? What feelings or emotions emerge?
2. Focus on what key areas of your life you would like to highlight in your mantra. What is your main intention or goal? How would you like to feel? See if there is a common theme in terms of emotion or thought. There is no need to rush this process. Take your time to understand what your inner thoughts and feelings are trying to tell you. If you need to revisit these another day or another week that is perfectly fine.
3. Choosing your mantra is then a process that emerges from the above. The only requirement is that your mantra has meaning to you. There is no such thing as a right or wrong mantra. It is something that is based on your own personal experience and feels right for you.

If it is helpful you may wish to consider some of these examples:

I am strong and confident.

I am powerful and centred.

One step at a time.

I share in life’s abundance.

Life brings me what I need.

Of course, these are just a handful of many possible mantras. When deciding upon your own mantra, choose one that inspires you and just feels right. You can then incorporate your mantra into your meditation or yoga practice if this is something you do. Otherwise, you can write it in your journal, say it to yourself during the day as needed, or put it on a sticky note to place on your laptop, or fridge or mirror; to give just a few examples. When used regularly a mantra is a wonderful way to encourage greater calm and clarity, and connection within ourselves.

By Kerrie Clayton

Kerrie has been a member of the AHHCA for over 10 years and is currently part of its Committee of Management. She is a qualified Holistic Health Practitioner, Aromatherapist and Reiki Master. Kerrie may be contacted via www.wellnesswithkerrie.com