A mantra is a sound, syllable, or group of words which, when recited, are regarded as capable of producing spiritual transformation (or so says Wiki). Actually, mantra is a word common in the eastern world and is itself made up of two words: man meaning "mind," and tra meaning "instrument." So, a mantra is "an instrument of the mind."
In eastern religions, and to a lesser degree in some traditions of Christianity, meditators use mantras to center themselves and so bring health and wholeness to the inner self (or, greater unity between the mind, body and spirit).
Reciting scripture daily can be a mantra. For instance, Psalm 23 could be considered a mantra. It has a Universal tone of trusting in God. and the Savior spoke it through David and now priests, pastors and monks recite it to their congregations.
As a mantra reference it could be translated into very simplistic terms like, I will trust in God to care for my needs ,I will trust him to protect me and lead me into all the great places of life. He will guide me and attend to my needs as a good Father does.
This was my conversion, not to offend anyone, for all perception and interpretations are just that, emotional and unique to that individual. I hope you will find a blessing in that.
Psalm 23
A Psalm of David.
1 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.
In many respects, a New Year's Resolution is a kind of mantra. But, like mantras, resolutions must be practiced daily if you're serious about them becoming your way of living. Which is why, my first mantra is...
Mantra #1
I am not Alone! I can make friends and call on those friends to go through the hard times with me. I choose to allow my friends to support me.
Say them aloud throughout the day. Let yourself hear them aloud.
I store my notes and mantras in google keep, simple to access and look at with ease.
Don't be scared to allow someone special in your life when you're in a dark place. You are not expecting them to solve your problems; just allowing them to face your problems with you. Just like in the good times and happy moments let those people in to celebrate life with.
It's important to know you don't have to go through hard times by yourself!
It doesn't matter how embarrassed or pathetic you feel about your own situation. There's someone who has dealt with similar circumstances and emotions who wants to help and console you.
When you hear yourself say I am alone”, It's just your mind selling you a lie! Don't believe it! Your not alone. There are virtual calls if being in front of a real person isn't possible. Face time, Skype or Zoom. Permit people to stand with you. Give them permission to be with you and give you the good energy to carry you through. It's important to know you don't have to go through hardships yourself.
Mantra #2
I will be in a present time place. I will be patient with myself and allow myself to breathe, to heal, and to grow.
With this one slow down and focus and believe in your ability to heal. Believe the journey is the destination and you are right where you should be at this present moment. Along this journey, you will learn and acquire the tools you need to get you through tomorrow and each day going forward into your future.
Take today and make the mantra your own.
MANTRA- I am here now and able to face whatever the problem is. You fill in the problem or challenge.
Be specific about it.
Acknowledge your hurts. Many things may have happened to you in the recent or not to distant past, but through acknowledging them we can learn from these things, and they can propel us forward if we press in and explore, examine, looking at ourselves through a non-judgemental lens.
Appreciate your progress. Take note on how far you've come. Give your self the credit, because you're worth it! Write it down, journals are a great release.
Remember and remind yourself;
You are not your bad days!
You are not your mistakes!
You are not the awful words that someone said to you!
You're not the negative words you say about yourself either!
You are not your scars!
You are not the trauma that was inflicted upon you!
You are not your past!
Live, learn, survive, grow!
Your beautiful and Father made you that way!
Mantra #3
I can have a fresh start at life, whenever I want it. Today is the start of a new beginning. I will allow myself new beginnings and love and embrace the necessary endings.
Remember there are always endings in life. Life changes from day to day. Everything in life has an end eventually. Every situation, every relationship and it's important to acknowledge and appreciate the end of an era or cycle. Nothing lasts forever except for God and our souls that hopefully go on to be with him in eternity. I'm personally hoping I can fly around and visit the universe and fully live out my vibrantly colored imagination! Haha! But seriously, things move and change in some form or fashion. It's also good to know when to acknowledge an ending and call it such. Also, to know when to move on and knowing that an ending isn't THE END!
I think in every season especially in nature which is a perfect example of change. It's a perfect example of things ending, evolving, being born and dying. It's the greatest example of beginnings and endings. Starts and stops and all the cycles in between. God made it that way. The beauty we have to learn from is never-ending, with the slow birthing of animals and birds in the springtime to the blooming and budding of the wonderful plants, flowers, and trees. Then watching the season of fall bring in the trees with their rich colored leaves, then dropping them to the ground until they are exposed and have nothing left but their branches. Fall turns to winter with a cold dark dormant season, akin to death until spring rolls around again. Rebirth to death and the cycle of the seasons brings about so many starts and stops. It's life, growth, and death. Nature in all her glory reigns in the heavens, the seas, and earth. It's remarkable to watch.
Life is always moving and evolving. By allowing ourselves the opportunity to move freely without force or guilt we can ask ourselves questions and not be held back by guilt, shame, or certain thought patterns or learned belief systems. Only then will we give ourselves the freedom to experience new ideas, skills, and relationships.
Year after year becoming a unique and improved version of ourselves. We will grow in our struggles. We could even mimic the butterfly in its cocoon. Eventually bursting out into a more beautiful version of ourselves than ever!
Life is Not Yesterday
Life is Not tomorrow or the next day.
Life Is NOW! Live It!
Our lives are endless and beautiful!
Let us have a fresh start. We can have it whenever we want it!
Choose NOW!
Be blessed,
Candice Holtzclaw ‘ Candi’
For more great motivational words and life-changing actions refer to Dr. Henry Cloud @Boundaries.me Or DrCloud.com He is such a great resource and has Facebook live call-ins every day. Please check him out, he has made a huge impact on my life.