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About Mindfulness | Master the Breath
Beginner Exercises | Creative Visualization
Sample a Chapter | Find Your Mantra
Glossary of Terms
About Mindfulness | Master the Breath
Beginner Exercises | Creative Visualization
Sample a Chapter | Find Your Mantra
Glossary of Terms
In this moment, there is plenty of time. In this moment, you are precisely as you should be. In this moment, there is infinite possibility
A mantra is a sacred utterance, a numinous sound, a syllable, word or phonemes, or group of words in Sanskrit believed by practitioners to have religious, magical or spiritual powers. The Sanskrit word ‘mantra’ is derived from the root ‘man-‘ meaning "to think."
Mantras are typically melodic, mathematically structured meters, believed to be resonant with numinous qualities. The simplest mantra is the word “Aum” or “Om” which is believed to be the very first sound that originated on earth. The sound of Aum creates a reverberation in the body which helps calm the body and mind. In other forms, mantras are melodic phrases with spiritual interpretations such as a longing for truth, reality, light, immortality, peace, love, knowledge, and action.
Some mantras, scholars believe, have philosophical themes, moral principles, a call to virtuous life, and even mundane petitions. The devotee chooses mantras voluntarily, thus expressing their intention to speak to their chosen spiritual entity. This means that mantras are subjective and hold personal meaning in that they are language of spiritual expression and are used as religious instruments. A mantra creates feelings. It has an emotive effect, it mesmerizes, it defies expression, and it creates sensations that are by definition, private.
There are no universally applicable definitions of mantras because mantras are used in different religions, and in different schools of philosophy within them. In some schools in Hinduism for example, a mantra is sakti, meaning power, in the form of formulated and expressed thought. Scholars clarify that mantras are not rituals themselves, they are what is recited or chanted during a ritual.
But they are generally believed to be:
Mantras are used repetitively (with chanting) and it reinforces a concept, idea or belief. When you chant mantras, the vibrations become a reality within yourself and your experience. Repetitive statement mantras are like the self-affirmations you learned previously in self-care. Mantra chanting enables memorization but also enables you to understand it in the analytic conscious mind and both accept and believe it in the subconscious mind (what is referred to as encoding).
Mantras are typically melodic, mathematically structured meters, believed to be resonant with numinous qualities. The simplest mantra is the word “Aum” or “Om” which is believed to be the very first sound that originated on earth. The sound of Aum creates a reverberation in the body which helps calm the body and mind. In other forms, mantras are melodic phrases with spiritual interpretations such as a longing for truth, reality, light, immortality, peace, love, knowledge, and action.
Some mantras, scholars believe, have philosophical themes, moral principles, a call to virtuous life, and even mundane petitions. The devotee chooses mantras voluntarily, thus expressing their intention to speak to their chosen spiritual entity. This means that mantras are subjective and hold personal meaning in that they are language of spiritual expression and are used as religious instruments. A mantra creates feelings. It has an emotive effect, it mesmerizes, it defies expression, and it creates sensations that are by definition, private.
There are no universally applicable definitions of mantras because mantras are used in different religions, and in different schools of philosophy within them. In some schools in Hinduism for example, a mantra is sakti, meaning power, in the form of formulated and expressed thought. Scholars clarify that mantras are not rituals themselves, they are what is recited or chanted during a ritual.
But they are generally believed to be:
- A thought.
- A structured formulae of thoughts,
- A religious thought, prayer, sacred utterance, believed to be a spell or weapon of supernatural power.
- A verbal instrument to produce something in one’s mind.
- A combination of mixed genuine and quasi-morphemes (a meaningful morphological unit of a language that cannot be further divided) that have a differential and a distributional meaning but do not possess any lexical or functional meaning. They are arranged in conventional patterns, based on esoteric traditions, passed on from a guru to a disciple.
Mantras are used repetitively (with chanting) and it reinforces a concept, idea or belief. When you chant mantras, the vibrations become a reality within yourself and your experience. Repetitive statement mantras are like the self-affirmations you learned previously in self-care. Mantra chanting enables memorization but also enables you to understand it in the analytic conscious mind and both accept and believe it in the subconscious mind (what is referred to as encoding).
FINDING YOUR MANTRAS
Let’s look to philosophy to find an idea or a concept to reflect on during your practice. In understanding the following concepts you can reach deep inside you and retrieve a mantra based on the teachings.
Try using a philosophical concept to focus on and let your mind explore its meaning. The following list presents you with various philosophical ideas that you can use to focus your meditation on. These are deep and profound concepts from a variety of cultures and theologies and they can introduce you to the beauty of life. Try reading through this list (download the complete list in my book) and pick a concept to explore. Bring it into your meditation and ponder it. Think deeply about it’s meaning. You will begin to recognize and understand it’s meaning while training your mind to focus on one concept or idea at a time. Use the defined word as your mantra.
Bhava - is a Sanskrit belief that when you are in a calm mental state, you embody the feelings of peace, vitality and wellness. Spiritual peace is an excellent indicator of a positive healing process. You can achieve this state through your mindful breathing exercises. As you practice mindfulness you engage in self-awareness, acceptance and forgiveness to let go of negative thoughts. As you exhale that negativity out, you can feel the calming influence of bhava and through it, achieve a sense of peace and tranquility.
Dadirri - a moment of deep listening and quiet, still awareness. You may recognize this Australian Aboriginal concept as a mindfulness technique. Dadirri comprises a deep meditative contemplation and awareness of the world around us. It further aligns with the principles of mindfulness by calling on your senses to appreciate the sights, sounds and scents in the stillness of the present moment. This concept further composes an awareness of where you've come from, why you are here, where you are going and where you belong.
Eudaimonia - Aristotle simply defines eudaimonia as “living well” but the Greeks further define it as the state of happiness, blessedness and prosperity. It implies a positive and almost divine state of being that humans can strive toward and possibly reach. Etymologically, it consists of the words ‘eu’ meaning “good" and ‘daimōn’ meaning “spirit.” In Aristotle's works, eudaimonia (based on older Greek tradition) was used as the term for the highest human good.
Hygge - is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment. The word hygge comes from a Danish word meaning "to give courage, comfort, joy". Hygge stems from ‘hyggja’ which means to think in Old Norse. Hygge is built from the Old Norse word ‘hugr’ which later became the hug which means the soul, mind, consciousness. In both Danish and Norwegian, hygge refers to "a form of everyday togetherness", "a pleasant and highly valued everyday experience of safety, equality, personal wholeness and a spontaneous social flow
Kalokagathia - is a Greek word derived from the words ‘kalos’ meaning “beautiful” and ‘agathos’ meaning “good, honest, noble, courageous.” Some describe kalokagathia as the ideal balance of the qualities of the body, spirit, and the mind which comprises your beliefs, ethics and morals. We all strive to achieve a balance of these beautiful qualities. As you heal and your sense of self-worth increases you will start to embody these qualities. Belief that you are a good, honest and decent human being will boost your positivity and soothe any guilt or regret you may carry making mindful self-forgiveness easier to achieve.
Metanoia - from the Greek μετάνοια (metanoia) meaning "changing one's mind.” It has been used in psychology since at least the time of American philosopher/psychologist William James to describe a process of fundamental change in the human personality. The term derives from the Ancient Greek words μετά (metá) meaning "beyond" or "after"and νόος (noeō) meaning "perception" or "understanding" or "mind"and takes on different meanings in different contexts.
Want More Options?
Download my book for a more extensive list of concepts to use. The world is full of beauty and beauty can also be found in words.
Let’s look to philosophy to find an idea or a concept to reflect on during your practice. In understanding the following concepts you can reach deep inside you and retrieve a mantra based on the teachings.
Try using a philosophical concept to focus on and let your mind explore its meaning. The following list presents you with various philosophical ideas that you can use to focus your meditation on. These are deep and profound concepts from a variety of cultures and theologies and they can introduce you to the beauty of life. Try reading through this list (download the complete list in my book) and pick a concept to explore. Bring it into your meditation and ponder it. Think deeply about it’s meaning. You will begin to recognize and understand it’s meaning while training your mind to focus on one concept or idea at a time. Use the defined word as your mantra.
Bhava - is a Sanskrit belief that when you are in a calm mental state, you embody the feelings of peace, vitality and wellness. Spiritual peace is an excellent indicator of a positive healing process. You can achieve this state through your mindful breathing exercises. As you practice mindfulness you engage in self-awareness, acceptance and forgiveness to let go of negative thoughts. As you exhale that negativity out, you can feel the calming influence of bhava and through it, achieve a sense of peace and tranquility.
Dadirri - a moment of deep listening and quiet, still awareness. You may recognize this Australian Aboriginal concept as a mindfulness technique. Dadirri comprises a deep meditative contemplation and awareness of the world around us. It further aligns with the principles of mindfulness by calling on your senses to appreciate the sights, sounds and scents in the stillness of the present moment. This concept further composes an awareness of where you've come from, why you are here, where you are going and where you belong.
Eudaimonia - Aristotle simply defines eudaimonia as “living well” but the Greeks further define it as the state of happiness, blessedness and prosperity. It implies a positive and almost divine state of being that humans can strive toward and possibly reach. Etymologically, it consists of the words ‘eu’ meaning “good" and ‘daimōn’ meaning “spirit.” In Aristotle's works, eudaimonia (based on older Greek tradition) was used as the term for the highest human good.
Hygge - is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment. The word hygge comes from a Danish word meaning "to give courage, comfort, joy". Hygge stems from ‘hyggja’ which means to think in Old Norse. Hygge is built from the Old Norse word ‘hugr’ which later became the hug which means the soul, mind, consciousness. In both Danish and Norwegian, hygge refers to "a form of everyday togetherness", "a pleasant and highly valued everyday experience of safety, equality, personal wholeness and a spontaneous social flow
Kalokagathia - is a Greek word derived from the words ‘kalos’ meaning “beautiful” and ‘agathos’ meaning “good, honest, noble, courageous.” Some describe kalokagathia as the ideal balance of the qualities of the body, spirit, and the mind which comprises your beliefs, ethics and morals. We all strive to achieve a balance of these beautiful qualities. As you heal and your sense of self-worth increases you will start to embody these qualities. Belief that you are a good, honest and decent human being will boost your positivity and soothe any guilt or regret you may carry making mindful self-forgiveness easier to achieve.
Metanoia - from the Greek μετάνοια (metanoia) meaning "changing one's mind.” It has been used in psychology since at least the time of American philosopher/psychologist William James to describe a process of fundamental change in the human personality. The term derives from the Ancient Greek words μετά (metá) meaning "beyond" or "after"and νόος (noeō) meaning "perception" or "understanding" or "mind"and takes on different meanings in different contexts.
Want More Options?
Download my book for a more extensive list of concepts to use. The world is full of beauty and beauty can also be found in words.
A SERIES OF MINDFUL SELF-CARE GUIDES
Presented by Kairos of MindfulBell.Com and ByKairos.Com. In association with LAW publishing.
MY WRITING | MY BOOKS | MY DOWNLOADS
Copyright 2020, Kairos. www.bykairos.com
Presented by Kairos of MindfulBell.Com and ByKairos.Com. In association with LAW publishing.
MY WRITING | MY BOOKS | MY DOWNLOADS
Copyright 2020, Kairos. www.bykairos.com