Mantras are used to enhance the meditative focus and to liberate the soul from worldly affairs. Every mantra has a deep meaning. When you practice yoga in India, you hear sacred words like “om”. These mantras serve an integral purpose in the whole process of yoga.
In fact, mantra meditation is a whole art form that deals with the use of yoga mantras. You visualise and chant these mantras as you get better with meditation. By choosing a mantra whose philosophy matches your mindset, you can start using it in Yoga and meditation. If you have decided to adopt a mantra, take a look at the ones listed in this article.
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In Ayurveda, mantra is considered the most powerful technique to positively influence the mind. It is more than repetitive sounds. Some mantras carry vibrations that resonate throughout the entire being and change subconscious patterns. These 15 effective mantras will help you connect with your inner guru by awakening the spiritual consciousness within you.
1. Om- First Mantra
It is a very simple, very common, but never to be underestimated mantra. It is the most original sound and carries all the sounds and vibrations of the universe. It harmonises you with the world around you. It is recommended to be chanted at the beginning and end of a yoga practice and at the beginning and end of all other mantras.
In Vedic astrology, om is connected with the sun. This is the planet most associated with your individual soul to find light and truth, and is in perfect harmony with the spiritual goals of someone practising yoga.
In mythology, Om is the sound that resonated when the universe came into being. That is, it is the sound that first traversed physical space. It is a very simple mantra by nature and has positive effects on the mind. You can feel the vibrations of the vowel leaking in your mind.
2. So-hum
So-hum is an excellent mantra to pair with the breath. It means that we all are, reminding us that we are part of the universal consciousness rather than separated from it.
Therefore, it can be mentally recited while inhaling and chanted while exhaling. It can be practised with asana as a technique to increase awareness and bring more spirituality into the practice, or as a meditation in itself.
3. Sham
The Sham mantra is the mantra of peace and salvation. It is pronounced more like “shum”. It is great for yoga practice as it calms the mind and promotes mental stability.
When meditating, it helps to focus the mind and dedicate oneself to one’s spiritual practice
4. Gum
It connects us to the inner guru and the knowledge of the divine within us. It is also the mantra of Jupiter. Jupiter signifies the expanse of our soul. The gum mantra is great for yogis who want to align themselves with the divine guidance that resides within them.
5. Lam
Lam is the mantra of the root chakra, the first chakra. To truly develop spiritually, you must rise above your first two chakras. Because they keep you tied to your animal instincts. The Lam mantra opens blockages and activates the potential for evolution. It also grounds you and provides satisfaction.
6. Yam
Yam is the mantra of the heart and the fourth chakra. Repeating the yam mantra while visualising a smoky grey six-pointed star in this chakra creates love and devotion.
7. Lokah samastah sukinoh bhavantu
This mantra is a universal mantra meaning “May all beings everywhere be happy and free”. This mantra revitalises in us the idea that we should love both ourselves and others. It increases our compassion and dissipates our ill will.
8. Ram
The Ram mantra is considered a mantra of protection. At the same time, it is one of the mantras that give light and strength. Ram can be used to bring the positive effects of the sun and prevent darkness and negativity. It strengthens immunity and helps reduce overreactions in situations such as anxiety, fear and nervousness.
9. Soam
Soam is a seed mantra. Like the moon, it has a cooling effect. This makes it ideal for those who suffer from excessive heat, anger or irritability. Soft and nourishing, the soam mantra brings happiness and joy. In Ayurveda, it is believed to strengthen the vital essence called “ojas”.
10. Om shanti, shanti, shanti
You may have heard “om shanti, shanti, shanti” chanted at the end of a yoga class or at the end of a longer mantra. It means “peace, peace, peace.” It is another universal mantra that has no religious meaning. Therefore, it can be chanted by anyone to bring in beautiful and peaceful energy.
In this mantra, two mantras are combined into one. We have already mentioned what om means, and the word shanti literally means “peace”. Therefore, by saying “om shanti shanti shanti”, you are saying “om peace peace peace peace”. With this mantra, which rejuvenates the body as the centre of peace, your subconscious will eventually register it as a peace seeker.
11. Om purnamadah purnamidam purnat purnamudachate purnasya purnamadaya Purnamevashishyate
This mantra has a beautiful meaning: “This is the whole, this is the whole. From the whole, this whole came. Take this whole out of that whole, what remains is still the whole”.
It is a beautiful mantra that reminds us that we are one with the universe and that our oneness is never lost, no matter how separate we sometimes feel.
12. Sat nam
In Kundalini yoga practice, it is a mantra used like “namaste” in other practices. It means “Truth, my identity”. It reminds us that we are divine beings.
13. Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hung
It is one of the cosmic yoga mantras to be memorised, which speaks of the heavenly bodies. “The sun, the moon, the earth and the infinite, everything is infinity of which I am a part.” It means. It goes deep into the conscience and helps the mind to expel all negative energies. Firstly, it speaks of the physical existence of everything and the great scale on which the heavenly bodies operate.
14. Neti neti
It is one of the easy to memorise yoga mantras. It is also of great importance in daily life. It means “not this, not that”.
In life, we often encounter dilemmas that we want to get rid of. This mantra brings clarity to your mind by breaking the wrong path. It is easy to pronounce and can be chanted over and over again. By adopting the philosophy propagated by the neti neti mantra, you can make it a part of you over time.
15. asato ma sad gamaya, tamaso ma jyotir gamaya, mrityor ma amritam gamaya
This mantra is like a poetic verse with a strong meaning for itself. It can be translated as “Take me from doubt to light, take me from darkness to light, take me from death to immortality.”
As you may notice, it speaks of existentially important things. This is a philosophy that you can easily incorporate into your daily life. As you are immersed in the meditative state, it calls upon your inner self to show you light.
