Have you ever noticed that the mind has a mind of its own? Our thoughts are rarely engaged fully in the simplicity of present moment, but are often ruminating over problems in the past or potential problems in the future. This is problematic for at least two reasons. One, the body doesn’t know the difference between imagination and reality and responds to stressful thoughts no differently than stressful events. Hence, we end up carrying the stress of the past and the future into the present. Two, this robs us of our connection to life, our loved ones, and ourselves, all of which only truly exist in this present moment.
A mantra can be a tool for peace of mind and healing. It encourages long, slow, diaphragmatic (deep) breathing which is deeply relaxing for the body, and since the breath and the sound of our voice only occur in the present moment, it also serves as an anchor for the mind when we find ourselves stressing unnecessarily about the past or the future.
If you’re uncomfortable walking around chanting “Om” all day, try using a favorite song or lullaby instead. Just slow it down a bit, and softly hum to yourself. Each time your thoughts carry you away to the past or the future, gently return to the sound of your own voice and the feeling of your breath. It’s normal for the mind to constantly wander away from the mantra – don’t judge yourself for it. Your mind might wander away 100 times in five minutes, or five minutes into the mantra you might completely forget about it and not remember until the end of the day. No worries. Again this is normal – everyone experiences this. Don’t stress over the mantra too!
If you stick with it for even ten or twenty moments, you’ll find that the mind tends to settle down, your thoughts become less agitated and random, and your body will soften and relax into the flow of the present moment. You’ll also find that as you relax, so will your little ones, and they love the soothing sound of mommy’s humming too.
A mantra can be a tool for peace of mind and healing. It encourages long, slow, diaphragmatic (deep) breathing which is deeply relaxing for the body, and since the breath and the sound of our voice only occur in the present moment, it also serves as an anchor for the mind when we find ourselves stressing unnecessarily about the past or the future.
If you’re uncomfortable walking around chanting “Om” all day, try using a favorite song or lullaby instead. Just slow it down a bit, and softly hum to yourself. Each time your thoughts carry you away to the past or the future, gently return to the sound of your own voice and the feeling of your breath. It’s normal for the mind to constantly wander away from the mantra – don’t judge yourself for it. Your mind might wander away 100 times in five minutes, or five minutes into the mantra you might completely forget about it and not remember until the end of the day. No worries. Again this is normal – everyone experiences this. Don’t stress over the mantra too!
If you stick with it for even ten or twenty moments, you’ll find that the mind tends to settle down, your thoughts become less agitated and random, and your body will soften and relax into the flow of the present moment. You’ll also find that as you relax, so will your little ones, and they love the soothing sound of mommy’s humming too.