I went to Jennifer's Vinyasa class yesterday - she is really great about breaking down the meaning of different Sanskrit words. I am a total nerd at heart, so I love learning about the word origins!
I've been thinking about mantras lately, and I came across this explanation: A mantra is nothing more than a collection of words strung together to create a positive effect. In Sanskrit, 'man' means 'mind' and 'tra' means 'freeing.' So a mantra is a phrase which is designed to free the mind. Mantras accomplish this objective in a very powerful way. The practice is immensely effective in keeping you focused, strong and happy.
In Jo's class on Saturday, the intention was "opening, and creating space." This whole week is now coming together for me...the ideas of letting go, creating space, and freeing the mind are all interconnected. If we want to create space and be open for new things to come into our lives, we have to first let go of what is already there that is blocking us. In order to let go, we have to free our minds of the limitations we have that keep us stuck in our old habits and patterns. Creating and using a mantra is a tool that can help us in this process...
now I just have to figure out what my mantra is going to be...
oops, here is my perfectionist thinking creeping in: "I want to make sure I have the right mantra, I want it to be really good, how do I create it? what should it be? maybe I can find one online from someone else. what if there is a better one? etc" Sometimes I wish I could shut my brain off!
geez, at this rate the stress of creating my mantra is probably negating the positive effect that it's supposed to have. deep breath! Maybe it's not just one mantra, maybe it evolves over time...whatever comes to me and feels right for the moment. I'm going to go with that...it takes the pressure off having to come up with the 'right' answer.
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