In the Yoga Sutras, Patanjali talks about choosing your mantra, and this passage has caused a lot of confusion for so many people. The word “mantra” can be translated as “vehicle for the mind” and it is used in meditation to help to advance your spiritual progress. Mantras have special powers and choosing your mantra is an important step along the road to spiritual awakening. To help you find the right mantra, here are 6 tips for choosing a mantra for your spiritual practice.
1. Ask Your Spiritual Teacher for a mantra
Many spiritual students are fortunate to be gifted their mantra by their spiritual teacher or guru. If you have a spiritual teacher, they will often introduce you to your mantra in meditation, and this contributes to mentorship. Your spiritual teacher knows you and knows where you are on your spiritual journey and so they will know exactly what mantra will serve you best. This mantra may help you to overcome some inner resistance or it may help to open a window to some deeper understanding that you have been searching for in vain. Ask your spiritual teacher for a mantra and use it to focus your meditation practice.
2. Identify Your Meditation Goals
The first thing you need to do before choosing your mantra, is to ask yourself what it is that you want from your meditation. For example, if you’re doing the full Yoga Path, following the Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita, your end goal of yoga is unity. “Yoga” means connection and this connection is between you and God. The ultimate goal of yoga is reunification with God, the Universe, Life, or whatever term you like to use. If you do want to reunite with God, then make sure your mantra includes the name for God that you like to use. If you have another intention, like achieving inner peace however, research Buddhist or Hindu mantras which can help to fulfill this intention. Your mantra should bring focus to your intention and help you to achieve it.
3. Consider Your Spiritual Needs
If you receive your mantra from a spiritual guide or teacher, they will be able to give you a mantra that will be useful for you in your current emotional state and level of spiritual progress. If however you are trying to find a mantra for yourself, you will have to do this self-analysis on your own. Search your emotions and the state of your mind. If there is a lot of negativity, choose a mantra which promotes a positive outlook and will bring happiness into your life.
4. Trust Your Feelings
Put yourself into a meditative state, clear your mind, and make sure you are fully present when looking at possible mantras. As with all spiritual choices, it is often better to bypass the mind when making a decision. Try not to think about the right mantra for you. Feel it. Trust your feelings. Look through a list of mantras that you have identified as being meaningful to you. Focus your energy and your being on each one and pay attention to your own reactions. Let your feelings be guided by something greater and quite often you will come upon the mantra that you need at this moment in your spiritual practice and in your life.
5. Test It Out
You can never really know if a mantra is right for you until you have tried it out. Introduce your mantra slowly into your life and meditation. Whisper it whenever you feel your mind becoming busy or your thoughts becoming negative. Chant it during your meditation, silently at first and then with conviction as you become more comfortable. Again, search your feelings. Is the mantra serving you? Is it helping you with your intentions? As with anything that does not serve you, simply let it go. Do not get frustrated or try to force it. A mantra should be effortless and should put your mind at ease, not cause anxiety or frustration.
6. Embrace The Process
Choosing a mantra is very important for your spiritual practice but it is also very special and, as with all things that are worth doing, the journey is as important as the destination. Choosing a mantra is a spiritual journey in itself and should not be rushed or fretted over. Take your time, try out different mantras, but always keep it light and playful.
Mantras are an important part of meditation and spiritual practice but that does not mean that choosing one should be a process that causes you anxiety or worry. A mantra can help to facilitate your spiritual awakening and help you better understand yourself and God. The most important thing is to choose a mantra that serves you and helps you to achieve your intentions. Follow this guide and you will find the perfect mantra, whatever your spiritual goals.
