The Amazing Power of Mantras
I discovered the amazing power of mantras a number of years ago. Nevertheless, I continue to be amazed by how effectively things can change when one uses a mantra or two.
For those who don’t know, a mantra is a simple phrase that is repeated, with a view to bringing something about, usually a change. Definitively, the use of mantras typically arises out of some eastern religions, such as Hinduism, and mantras in this context have a prayerful quality. As I understand it, when one uses a mantra, one is striving to change one’s focus in order to experience something new.
My first really powerful experience of mantra use happened almost a decade ago, when my son (who was just over 3 at the time) had been dealing with asthma for several years. His diagnosis seemed to come out of nowhere for me, and it troubled me that he had to take puffers and inhalers virtually non-stop. Then I came across Louise Hay’s book, “You Can Heal Your Life”, a resource designed specifically to support people in effectively changing physical ailments, using mantras as a tool. What I learned from her book was that childhood asthma arises when a child feels unwanted, unloved. After dealing with my astonishment and associated mommy-guilt in considering this possibility, I started articulating the corresponding mantra several times each day. Within a short time frame, my son’s asthma disappeared. Now, at the age of 10 1/2, he only deals with asthmatic symptoms when he has a nasty cold — once every couple of years, in other words. Mind-boggling and astonishing, that was my first powerful experience of using a mantra.
Then, yesterday I got hit out of the blue with what felt like a sinus infection. Let me tell you, it HURT! I’m not a fan of taking pharmaceuticals, if I can help it. If I have no recourse, I’ll do it; but I’d rather explore alternatives if I can. So, I did two things yesterday. I took a friend up on her offer to send me some healing Reiki energy, and I sought out my Louise Hay book. Her book stated that sinus problems arise when one is feeling at odds with someone else, someone close. I couldn’t put my finger on who that might be, but I looked at the mantra anyway which read, “I declare peace and harmony indwell and surround me at all times. All is well.” Well, I puttered through my day, and felt the pain getting worse and worse. Finally, in the late evening I gave in and took a tylenol tablet. Then I settled down and started reciting the mantra, knowing that the acetaminophen’s effectiveness would only last for 6 hours max. I went to bed, and awoke around 3 a.m. — the sinus pain was gone, and has stayed GONE ever since. That’s right, I’m sitting here typing with only the slightest bit of a headache, and no sinus pain whatsoever. Was it the Reiki? The mantras? Both? My sense is that it was both in combination. And while the pharmaceutical took the edge off, what I know for sure is that it didn’t get rid of it.
Bottom-line for me is this: when you can affirm a change verbally with a view to bringing that change into your reality, anyway you look at it, it’s a good thing. Mantras are a good thing. That’s all I’ve got to say.