A mantra is a tool or instrument for transformation. From what I can gather it started in the Hindu religion. It's a repeated word or phrase used during meditation which is believed to have the power for change. One article I read said it shouldn't be more than three or four words long (but believe me, I've seen many exceptions to that rule!)
In Hindu meditation, the mantra is repeated over and over and over again, instigating change. "Om . . . " is a common and frequently adopted mantra. You can't get any smaller or more simple than that. It becomes a relaxation, deep breathing exercise. Try it. Just say/sing ohmmmmmm on a single note and hold the "m" as long as you can. Then say it or sing it again. I took a voice class once that showed us "Om" computerized (as well as other sounds.) 
"Om" makes a perfect circle with concentric circles around it when computerized. It is believed that "Om" is the center of the universe. Chanting it taps into the center of the universe. I just can't help but notice that if you put an "h" on "Om" you get what I believe is the center of the universe: HOME. Anyway, have I lost you? Stay with me. This is fascinating stuff!
"Om" makes a perfect circle with concentric circles around it when computerized. It is believed that "Om" is the center of the universe. Chanting it taps into the center of the universe. I just can't help but notice that if you put an "h" on "Om" you get what I believe is the center of the universe: HOME. Anyway, have I lost you? Stay with me. This is fascinating stuff! In business, the effect of a mantra is supposed to be the same: Get the phrase into employee's heads, get them weighing every business decision and interaction by the mantra. Get them repeating it over and over and over in their heads, so it's so ingrained that mantra-based decisions are just natural.
My interest in the word, though, is in developing personal mantras. I guess I shouldn't use that word in the plural. A mantra is supposed to be singular- one powerful word or phrase that has the power for change. But, I have and have had many "mantras" in my life. And since this is my blog and my post, I guess I can make the rules. I want to share my mantras with you . . .over a period of time . . . . kind of like "my favorite things" posts. And, I would very much like you to share your mantras with me. What phrase do you repeat over and over and over that motivates action and change in you? You don't have to answer right now. Think about it. To get you started, here's some from individuals and businesses you might recognize:
President Spencer W. Kimball: Do it
Walt Disney: Dream big
William Faulkner: Kill your darlings. (I guess if this was my mantra, this post would not exist- but it isn't; so it does.)
Federal Express: Peace of mind
Ralph Waldo Emerson: The world belongs to the energetic
Albert Einstein: Weakness of attitude becomes weakness of character
Abraham Lincoln: Most folks are about as happy as they make their minds out to be
John Shaw Billings (started what became the National Library of Medicine): Only begin.
Steve Jobs: Real artists ship.
Kurt Vonnegut: I was sick, but I'm better now, and there's work to be done. (This one might be my favorite on the list)
Thomas Edison: There's always a better way; find it.
Anne Mollegen Smith: Done is better than perfect.
Some guy whose article I read: Look for the Second Right Answer
See? Aren't mantras amazing? There's so much food for thought- and this is just a sampling of the buffet I've been enjoying. Like I said, I've really had fun- a veritable word feast! So, look for my mantras on here from time to time. I'm formulating my list and my thoughts. And again, when you feel so inclined, please share yours with me. And, maybe someday, I may write that book with everyone's mantras included. Wouldn't that be fun? "OOOHMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!"
10 comments:
Justin's mantra (although he's never called it that, but as I read your post, I realized that's really what it is) . . . "Adapt and accomplish the mission." And that is really him in a nutshell. He gets it done . . No matter what. No time for belly-aching.
So interesting. I would like you to expound on why Kurt Vonnegut's mantra is your favorite...and who is he? I really like Albert Eitstein's and Abraham Lincoln's and think I need to adopt more of Anne Smith's (who is she?) in my life. I don't know if I have a mantra. I'll have to think about it.
Oh and I was hoping I would see at least one of yours on that list! :)
I can't wait to hear your mantras! I'm sure I'll find them familiar, and perhaps I have inadvertently adopted them for myself as your daughter. One mantra that has helped me a lot lately is "it could be worse." I find that list of mantras interesting. Lots of food for thought.
Great post on mantras. My favorites "Don't get discouraged, things will always work out" Pres. Hinckley and "Never suppress a generous thought." Marjorie Hinckley
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and I look forward to hearing what your mantra is. I don't know what mine is yet so I'll have to get back to you on that. I liked Abraham Lincoln's mantra though.
I'm not sure if this is my mantra, but when I'm having a hard time, I always say, "I can do hard things." I think my mom told me that enough, that I have started to believe it. I know I have repeated it many times with callings that overwhelm me, with my kids, and when I was running my half marathon.
I really enjoy your blog. And, I never comment on blogs, but I wanted to comment on this idea of mantras, I keep thinking about it. I LOVE your talent for writing Aunt Kay, I think you should write a book, I would buy it!
This is such an interesting post and I have been contemplating mantras for a few days after reading it. You always come up with such great posts!
Gary's manta is to repeat while holding hands with our kids and jumping up and down, "It just doesn't matter, it just doesn't matter". Now they are grown, so he and I just say it to each other without the holding hands and jumping up and down business.
Gary's manta is to repeat while holding hands with our kids and jumping up and down, "It just doesn't matter, it just doesn't matter". Now they are grown, so he and I just say it to each other without the holding hands and jumping up and down business.
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