Tired of reading? Listen instead!

by Merlyn Gabriel Miller

Are your thoughts always racing?
Conjuring up images of the past, or worrying about the future?

Want to silence that little monkey that won’t let you rest?
Then you should try chanting mantras.

What Is A Mantra?

The word mantra comes from Sanskrit, and means “an instrument of thought”. Basically, a mantra is just a word or sentence that is repeated. Share on X

It could be a totally meaningless word, like “fulbilatapinko”. And the great thing about using a word that has no meaning, is that your brain won’t be busy thinking about that word. Your mind will have nothing to show you, and eventually come to rest.

Switch to repeating the word “carport” and you won’t get the same effect. Your monkey mind will start pulling up random information related to carports, and ruin the whole thing. After all, the reason for using mantras, is to silence that little chatterbox.

But, depending on what you want to achieve by repeating mantras, you could also use words that do have meaning.

Mantras And Affirmations

Often, affirmations are used as a kind of mantra.

Some stand in front of the mirror every morning, and say to themselves, “This is going to be a great day”, or “I am happy, wealthy and healthy”. Even if they don’t feel it. And before a competition, athletes might affirm that they are the greatest, that they can do this, and deserve to win, and so on.

And you can continue saying these affirmations to yourself. All the things that you wish were true, or that you want to achieve.

And keep repeating it until you believe it.
Or better yet, until you see it come true.

But the monkey mind is a trickster. You can be sure that it will remind you of all the obstacles in your path, and that what you are saying to yourself is technically not correct. This can be rather depressing.

Which is why chanting mantras in another language might be better for you. Like Sanskrit, for example.

Even though you might read up on the meaning of the words, your working mind will not connect the dots as usual. The mantras will fly under the radar and not meet with that much resistance.

Mantras – What Science Knows About Their Benefits

Several studies have been done on the effects of chanting mantras, and the results are very uplifting. Better sleep, happier mood, pain relief, and improved brain function are just some of the findings.

One study looked at how the brain responded during chanting, using an fMRI. What they found is that there was a reduction of activity, all across the board. Share on X

But it was especially noticeable in what they call the default mode network, which is where most of the internal chatter comes from.

Now that you know what chanting mantras can do for you, it’s time to get started.

The Peace Mantras

If you want a simple mantra that will help you feel more peaceful, try this:

OM Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

OM is the sound of God and Creation, which is why it is often placed at the beginning of mantras. Shanti means peace. So, in other words, you are creating peace with this mantra.

Use this mantra whenever your thoughts are racing, you’re unable to concentrate, or want to calm down. Just repeat this peace mantra 108 times, out loud or in your mind.

Why 108 times?

108 is the standard amount of repetitions for all mantras. And the most likely explanation for why the ancients chose this number, comes from Vedic Astrology.

As they explain it, there are 9 planets and 12 constellations, which gives 108 different combinations. And when someone consults a vedic astrologer, they may be perscribed a specific mantra as a remedy for their problems. This remedy is based upon the combination of planets and constellations in their natal chart.

Also, when the old sages measured the distance between the Sun, Moon and the Earth, the number 108 came up.

The diameter of the Sun times 108, is equal to the distance from the Sun to the Earth. And the diameter of the Moon times 108, is equal to the distance from the Moon to the Earth.

Customise it – Make it your own

Now, if you want to meditate more deeply on peace, try the Universal Peace Mantra. It not only focuses on personal peace, but on happiness and success – for everyone.

Om Sarveshaam Svastir Bhavatu
Sarveshaam Shaantir Bhavatu
Sarveshaam Purnnam Bhavatu
Sarveshaam Manggalam Bhavatu
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Translated:

May there be happiness in all
May there be peace in all
May there be completeness in all
May there be success in all

And as always, repeat 108 times for full effect.