Now more than ever, people are tuning into spiritual practices, in order to bring greater happiness and success into their lives. Sometimes, it seems that simply repeating phrases and receiving the benefits sounds too good to be true. But is it? What’s behind these spiritual practices? Can they help us achieve our goals?
The meaning of affirmations & mantras
Both terms are often used interchangeably, however, each one possesses different qualities and origins.
Mantras are sacred utterances. They can be sounds, words, or phrases. Affirmations, on the other hand, are positive and self-empowering statements.
Both are usually repeated throughout the duration of a certain time period in order to be effective. These practices are both used as tools to promote self-care and bring prosperity into your life.
History of affirmations & mantras
The existence of mantras can be traced back to the Vedic scriptures of Hinduism. These scriptures include an array of references that denote the sacredness of sound, describing speech itself as a goddess.
Mantras were also chanted as hymns to the gods, during religious sacrificial rituals. Mantras and hymns were later referred to as ‘formulations of truth’, holding power to bring the truth they possessed to life.
Affirmations are a newer practice in the realm of spiritualism. They are thought to have stemmed from a man named Emile Coue. Coue was a French psychologist who used optimistic suggestions with his patients.
Coue believed that the mind played a huge role in healing and repeated positive affirmations to his patients. In his day-to-day life, he used to repeat the affirmation; “Every day in every way I am getting better and better”.
Benefits of affirmations & mantras
In contrary to popular belief, words aren’t cheap. They really can help you to manifest things into your life. Here are some of the benefits of the practices:
- Reduces stress: Repeating sounds or phrases can reduce your stress, as it brings your attention to the activity at hand: concentrating on the mantras or affirmations. This draws your mind away from stressors in your day to day life.
- Increases your self-esteem: Repeating positive phrases to yourself increases your self-esteem, as when you repeat phrases enough, your brain will start to believe them. If you constantly refer to yourself as strong, you will find greater inner strength.
- Increases motivation: Exposure to something will make you think about it more. If you are constantly chanting mantras or affirmations, it will constantly be on your mind. Therefore, it will become a greater priority and will lead to action.
- Changing negative thought patterns: If you find that you are treating yourself harshly, positive affirmations can change negative thought patterns into kinder ones. They can allow you to see the good in yourself.
- Provides you with more resilience: If you verbally tell yourself that you can do something, it will be easier for you to achieve it. “Failures” will be viewed as learning experiences.
- Helps you achieve your goals: As mentioned, mantras and affirmations can help you to get motivated. This will allow you to more easily complete the steps that are needed to achieve your goals.
- Deeper self-awareness: Affirmations are positive thoughts, generally meant to focus attention on positive feelings, states of being, and outlooks. Focusing on potential negative thoughts or difficult mindsets is necessary to craft a personal and effective affirmation.
- Better focus: a mantra can make maintaining focus during meditation easier. Repeated mantras (mentally or verbally) can prevent your mind from delving into other thoughts.
Practicing affirmations & mantras
As stated, practicing and incorporating affirmations and mantras into daily practice is different. However, they can be used in similar ways or situations. Here are some ways in which you can implement these spiritual activities.
- During meditation: Repeating mantras during meditation can be very effective in calming your mind. Repeating verbal sounds will allow you to bring yourself into the present moment, while temporarily relieving you of ruminating thoughts.
- After waking up: Repeating positive mantras or affirmations in the morning is a great way to start the day. It can give you a clearer picture of what you’re wishing to achieve during that day.
- Before you go to bed: If you find that you’re stressed, repeating calming phrases may allow you to fall asleep more easily.
- During a difficult time: If you’re struggling mentally or physically, affirmations and mantras will help to pull you out of a negative state of mind. You can use them to remind yourself of the positive aspects of your life and increase your gratitude.
- When you want a positive change in your life: The most common use of affirmations is during a period where you are wishing for positive change. You may be trying to reach a goal or build more inner strength.
How to effectively use mantras in meditation
For anything to work effectively, you should have a goal in mind. Think about what kind of positive change you want in your life and center your spiritual practice around it. However, it’s not just the words themselves that create positive change, it’s the actions that follow.
Popular affirmations & mantras
Affirmations: words repeated to affirm something
- I choose…[peace, joy, happiness, myself first, etc.]
- I am…[enough, powerful, choosing not waiting to be chosen, worthy, etc.]
- I deserve…[good things, happiness, love, etc.]
- I surround myself with…[positivity, healthy relationships, success, etc.]
- I have…[the answers inside of me, the power to create change, boldness waiting to be unleashed, limitless creativity, etc.]
Mantras: powerful sounds and tones to quiet the mind
- Om (pronounced: A-U-M)
- Om santih, santih, santih (pronounced: A-U-M Shanti Shanti Shanti)
- Saaaaaaaat Nam (pronounced: Sat is extended 8x longer than Nam; translated: truth is my name)
- Asato ma sad gamaya (translated: from the unreal to the real, lead me)
The Law of Attraction
You’ve probably heard of the Law of Attraction, which is closely related to mantras and affirmations. It is the belief that you will attract the things you focus on. In saying this though, you also must live in accordance with what you want to attract. The Law of Attraction can be broken into seven parts:
- The law of manifestation: Whatever is on our mind will present itself in our life. To put it simply, if we maintain positive thoughts, we will manifest positivity in our lives.
- The law of magnetism: This law states that we receive the same type of energy or “vibrations” that we put out. We are made of vibrational energy and are drawn to our own energy like a magnet.
- The law of unwavering desire: For the law of attraction to be effective, you must truly believe in your goal. You must desire something so much so that you never question whether it’s what you really want. You must know that it’s what you want.
- The law of delicate balance: This law states that you must have balance, in order to manifest a positive change in your life. You must believe that the change can happen, but you must also be grateful for what you currently have. Desperation or trying to rush the process pulls you further away from your goal.
- The law of harmony: According to the law of attraction, everything is connected through energy. This law states that we must align ourselves with the energy of the universe and allow ourselves to become one with it.
- The law of right action: Our actions, how we behave in situations and treat others, has a direct impact on the path of our life. Therefore, it’s vital to consciously choose to act in an honorable way, even during difficult or stressful situations. This law can be compared to karma.
- The law of universal influence: We have an influence over everyone and everything we cross paths with. Every action, word, or behavior has a greater influence on the universe. The law also states that we are in control and that control holds great power.
The Law of Attraction and affirmations
We can use the Law of Attraction, affirmations and mantras together to improve our lives. Affirmations are closely related to the first law of attraction, the law of manifestation.
If you have a positive phrase on your mind, such as “I overcome my fears”, you will begin to see more opportunities to prove that statement to be correct.
This isn’t by luck or chance; it is simply because your mind will become more aware of it. You will instantly be presented with new ways to overcome your fears, as that is what you are focused on. You may have previously wanted to overcome your fears, but without the direct thought and belief of overcoming your fears, you would have overlooked the opportunities to do so.
Establishing your purpose
Figure out what your real dreams and aspirations are. Don’t let factors such as societal pressures and outside influences get in your way. Establish the things you would want to achieve if you had no limits or boundaries.
What makes you excited to get up in the morning? When do you feel your happiest?
Then, use affirmations and mantras to help you along your journey. Consider adding the daily practice to your self-care routine in the new year as you work to achieving your goals.
Hopefully, this has provided you with the information you need to manifest an abundance of positivity and happiness into your life! Once you believe in something, you will find a way to achieve it. We wish you the greatest success in achieving your purpose in life and hope that affirmations and mantras can help you throughout your journey! xoxo Mo
