Mantras + How To Use Them

mantra: a statement or slogan repeated frequently

Taken from a buddhist perspective, a mantra can be any sacred word or syllable used as an object of concentration and embodies some aspect of spiritual power. I like that more.

• In this second interpretation, we’re shown how words have a powerful effect on our mind.
• A statement or slogan repeated frequently can aid your concentration, promote mental clarity, and reveal truths you weren’t consciously aware of.
• With a mantra to keep us focused, we’re able to maneuver passed the chaotic thoughts swirling in our minds until we’ve reached the stable, never-wavering, always-present truth.

A mantra, a configuration of words, let’s us tap into the power of our truest self.

• Our truest self builds us up.
• Our truest self reminds us what we know to be true.
• But our truest self can only be heard when we quiet the noise in our mind.

Which brings me to positive self talk. It’s all too easy to get caught up in the worst-case-scenario that your mind has you convinced is real:

• “You’re not smart enough.”
• “You’ll never land that promotion.”
• “Your friends don’t really like you.”

The negative voice in your head can all-too-easily take center stage if you let it, but you don’t have to give it that power. Reverse those thoughts by replacing them with what you know your truest self would say:

• “You’re knowledgeable on so many subjects.”
• “You’re dedicated to performing your best.”
• “Your friends gravitate towards your empathetic, kind-hearted nature.”

When you let your truest self conduct all your self-talk, you’ll begin to notice how your mind’s voice is actually compassionate, loving, and kind. Overcome the self-loathing noise that clutters your mind so you can really hear your truest self.

Easier said than done, I know.

To access that truth, we’ve got to concentrate. And what better way to aid your concentration than to invoke the power of a mantra. So here we go.

• The first step would be choosing a mantra.
• Everyone’s mantra will be different.
• You’ve got to find a word, or set of words, that resonate with you.
• That sounds a little la-ti-dah, woo-woo, but I bet you’ve got a few already in your mind.
• Does the cluttered noise in your head revolve around comparison? distrust? hate?

In college, when I had completely lost touch with my truest self, I desperately needed a mantra. The noise in my mind was constantly telling me I wasn’t good enough, smart enough, productive enough. I needed to be reminded of my own self-worth. I needed a mega self-esteem boost and the only person who could help me was me.

So my mantra became “I am worthy.”

• Each day I’d wake up and tell myself that I was worthy.
• I had to be reminded that just being myself was actually enough.
• I did not need others approval.
• I did not need to achieve x, y, and z.
• I did not have to prove anything.
• I, alone, was worthy.

Everyone’s mantra may be different and might change over time. Decide what it is that you need to hear from yourself, and let those words bring you to your truth.

If you need inspiration, here are three powerful mantras aimed to help give you back the confidence that may have been diminished overtime by any unwanted noise:

Three Mantras Aimed to Build Self-Esteem

• 1. “Undistort the distortion.”

• Find order in the chaos. Actively reverse the thoughts you know to be false. Train your mind to ignore the noise that does not serve you. The only truth you need to believe is your own. Let go of the rest.

• 2. “I am good enough.”

• It’s easy to compare. Thinking “she’s got it all,” or “their lives are so much better than mine” will only keep you farther from your truest self. Everyone is on their own path. The only approval you need is your own. You’re the only you there is, and you’re enough.

• 3. “No one can make me feel unworthy without my permission.”

• I don’t think people always realize the power of their own words. It’s very easy to internalize what someone has said and start to believe it as true, but you have to remind yourself it’s not. What others think and say about you is only a reflection of them, not you. You’re worthy, no matter what others say.