Mantra meditation
Mantra meditation uses the gentle repetition of a word, sound, or phrase to give the mind a steady anchor. The Q&As under this topic cover what mantra meditation is, how to choose a mantra, how to practise it, how it differs from Transcendental Meditation, and whether to repeat a mantra aloud or silently. The full guide is Mantra meditation: does the word you choose matter?, which covers how to choose a mantra by the job it has to do.
How do you choose a mantra?
Choose it by the job you need it to do. For sitting practice, pick something short, soft to say and neutral, such as “one” or so-hum, because over hundreds of repetitions the meaning tends to wear off anyway. For a hard moment during the day, pick a word or phrase that means something to you. You only say it a few times, so the meaning survives.
How do you practise mantra meditation?
Sit comfortably, say the word once so you know its sound, then repeat it silently in an easy rhythm, often once per breath. When you notice you have drifted into thinking, return to the word without scolding yourself. If silent repetition keeps sliding into thought, say it under your breath for a while. In StillMind’s guided sessions the voice says the word once, then leaves the repetition silent and yours.
What is the difference between mantra meditation and Transcendental Meditation?
Mantra meditation is the broad family: any practice built on repeating a word or sound. Transcendental Meditation is one specific, trademarked form of it, where a certified teacher chooses a particular sound for you to repeat silently in sitting practice. In mantra meditation generally you choose the word yourself, and a plain one is enough for sitting practice.
Do you say a mantra out loud or silently?
Either, and it helps to treat them as a ladder. Aloud is easiest at first because you can hear and feel the word. Under your breath, lips moving with little or no sound, is the middle step. Silent is the form the Laws of Manu ranks highest, and it is the hardest to hold early on. If it keeps sliding into thinking, step back down a rung. StillMind’s sessions teach silent repetition.
What is mantra meditation?
Mantra meditation is repeating one word, sound or short phrase as the place your attention returns to. When your mind wanders, you notice and come back to the word. In a sitting practice the repetition runs long enough that the meaning tends to wear off, which is why a plain word works there. Some people also carry a word into the day for hard moments.