MANTRAS AND PRAYERS

What is a Mantra?

In the ancient language of Sanskrit, the literal translation of mantra is "mind tool or focusing tool." Mantras are intended to elevate the mind from illusion and material inclinations. Chanting is the process of repeating a mantra again and again for a period of time. When you chant using Mala Beads, Prayer Beads, Rosary Beads, Prayer Chaplets, Komboloi, Subha or Tasbih Beads and Mantra Beads it gives you a tangible focus for your words because they are tactile. The mind tool is then combined with a focusing tool that involves touch, bringing your spiritual focus home in your body and mind.

Their use varies according to the school and philosophy associated with the mantra. Every word is considered to be a spiritual conduit, with vibrations that instill one-pointed concentration into the person using the mantra. Mantras originated in India with Vedic Hinduism and were later adopted by Buddhists. However, the technique of repeating a prayer or special phrase for meditation or contemplation is used in nearly every spiritual tradition worldwide.

Mantra meditation is a very easy to learn as an effective relaxation technique. Just thinking a mantra helps to focus your attention and eventually reach a state of very deep rest. Regular practice of meditation reduces irritability and feelings of stress. It has also been known to reduce the time of recovery after distress and /or bad health.

The mind is naturally operating at the speed of light, with thoughts rapidly passing through or even intruding into our lives as we move through each day. It is the rhythm of a mantra and the meaning of the words that corrals and slows our thoughts, gradually allowing them to fall away as the mind becomes still. The music and meaning of the mantra combine to safely guide our minds back to the point of meditation: higher consciousness or the specific spiritual focus.

A Few Mantras

The list below contains a few of Mari’s personal favorite mantras in Sanskrit (with a translation) and some that she uses are in English. You may resonate with one or choose something special from your own spiritual tradition. There are also some wonderful books published on the subject, and the Internet has thousands of Web pages offering this knowledge. You may have a special brief prayer, scripture or other sacred text that you may wish to use as your personal mantra.

Sanskrit Mantras:
::
'Aum'
(pronounced OHM)
Spirit, the Word of God, which creates, preserves, and transforms. Aum is considered to be the seed sound of the Universe.
::
'Aum Mani Padme Hum'
Tibetan Buddhist mantra usually translated as, “in this is contained the essence of the entire teaching.”
::
'Om Shrim Mahalakshmiyei Swaha'
Mantra to Lakshmi that translates as, “Greetings to that which is feminine energy. For you bestow upon us good friends, happy families and aid in creating good health.”
::
'Om Namah Shivaya'
This Mantra to Shiva has no complete translation. “Greetings to that which I am capable of being.”
::
'Om Bhr Buva Sva
Tat Savitur Vareya
Bhargo Devasya Dhmahi
Dhiyo Yo Na Pracodayt'

The Gayatri Mantra is considered one of the most universal of all Hindu mantras, It roughly translates to, “Universal life force, giver of life, remover of pain and sorrow, one who bestows happiness and is perfected, enlighten our minds and lead us to a righteous path."

Other Examples:

¤
May… Mantra
May the light of truth, wisdom and love rise in your heart and illuminate your life with grace and joy.
May the angels surround, bless and protect you always.
May you always dwell in the Divine Light.
So be it.

¤
Peace… Mantra
Peace surrounds me.
Peace enfolds me.
Peace resides in me.
I am Peace.

¤
Peaceful Solution Mantra
I am the peaceful solution.
You are the peaceful solution.
We are the peaceful solution.
Let there be Peace.

¤
The Light Mantra
The Light is above me.
The Light is below me.
The Light is around me.
I am the Light.

¤
There is… Mantra
There is no greater lesson but to love and love again.
There is no greater task but to love and let love in.
There is no greater joy but to love and BE love.

¤
Bless… Mantra
Bless my family.
Bless all those I may fear.
Bless all those I hold dear.
Bless me.

Native American Prayers

¤
Thanksgiving Prayer
We return thanks to our mother, the earth, which sustains us.
We return thanks to the rivers and streams, which supply us with water.
We return thanks to all herbs, which furnish medicines for the cure of our diseases.
We return thanks to the moon and stars, which have given to us their light
when the sun was gone.
We return thanks to the sun that has looked upon the earth with a beneficent eye.
Lastly, we return thanks to the Great Spirit, in who is embodied all goodness,
and who directs all things for the good of Her children.
Iroquois Prayer, adapted
(Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace)

¤
Cherokee Prayer Blessing
May the Warm Winds of Heaven blow softly upon your house.
May the Great Spirit bless all who enter here.
May your Moccasins make happy tracks in many snows,
And may the Rainbow always touch your shoulder.

¤
Native American Prayer for Peace
Almighty Creator, the Great
Thumb we cannot evade to tie any knot;
the Roaring Thunder that splits mighty trees:
the all-seeing Lord up on high who sees
even the footprints of an antelope on
a rock mass here on Earth.
You are the one who does
not hesitate to respond to our call.
You are the cornerstone of peace.

Islamic Prayer

¤
Al-Fatihah, or the Opening Chapter
Bismillah e errahman e erraheem
Al humdo lil-lahi rab-bil al ala-meen.
Arrahman i erraheem.
Maliki yaum i eddeen.
Iyyaka nabudu wa iyyaka nasta een.
Ihdina assirata al mustaqeem.
Sirata allazhina anamta alaihim, ghairil maghdubi alaihim, wa la adhdhaal leen. (Aameen)

In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds
Most Gracious, Most Merciful;
Master of the Day of Judgment.
Thee do we worship, and whose aid we seek.
Show us the straight way, the way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace,
those whose (portion) is not wrath, and who go not astray.
From the Holy Quran

Christian Prayers

¤
Christian Prayer for Peace
Blessed are the PEACEMAKERS,
for they shall be known as
the Children of God.
But I say to you that hear, love your enemies,
do good to those who hate you,
bless those who curse you
pray for those who abuse you.
To those that strike you on the cheek,
offer the other one also,
and from those who take away your cloak,
do not withhold your coat as well.
Give to everyone who begs from you,
and of those who take away your goods,
do not ask for them again.
And as you wish that others would do to you,
do so to them.

::
Be still and know that I am God
Ps 46:10

::
In Him we live and move and have our being
Acts 17:28

Jewish Prayers

Schecheyanu
Baruch atah Adonai eloheynu melech ha'olam
Shehecheyanu v'kimanu v'higianu laz'man hazeh.
Amen.

Loose translation: Praised are You, Oh Lord, Our God, Ruler of the Universe
Who has kept us in life, sustained us, and permitted us to reach this
season. (Thank you for all the wonders of the Universe.)

Hiney MaTov
Hiney matov uma nayim
Shevet achim gam yachad.

Loose translation: Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brothers
(people) to dwell together.

Eli Eli
Eli eli shelo y'gamer l'olam
Hachol v'hayam rish rush shel hamayim
B'rak hashamayim t'filot ha'adam

Translation: Oh Lord, my God, I pray that these things never end
The sand and the sea
The rush of the waters
The crash of the heavens
The prayer of man

A Catholic Prayer

¤
Peace Prayer of Saint Francis Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master,
grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love;
for it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

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