Xero C.We are all looking for that little bit “extra” to help us get through tough times. Whether it’s a motivational quote we come across on social media, words of encouragement from a friend or family member, or a mantra we repeat to ourselves, we can help get the most out of our lived experience through inspiration. Whether you are trying to overcome a challenge, or attain closer parity with your grandest ambitions, mantras can help you get out of a rut or reach that bit further. However, there is one mantra I have been repeating lately that has truly helped me get closer to my goals and overcome adversity.
What is a Mantra
A mantra is a tool for the mind. It’s a statement that you repeat frequently — mentally or verbally — and it is often meant to aid you in concentration and meditation. It can be a thought that helps you overcome great obstacles, or a philosophical frame of mind that helps you to conquer each day. It can be complex and broad in meaning, or simple and specific. Whatever it is, it should help you concentrate, focus, and ruminate on what is truly important. When your mind needs honing in and tailoring, a mantra may be just the tool you need to do the job.
The Power of Mantras
Mantras are used or thought of differently depending on the person. Some use it as a way to focus our thoughts and feelings, like a beacon for our conscious thoughts. It is meant to help us control our minds, and to channel them toward meditation. However, freeing your mind from needless distractions can also have palpable health benefits, as well.
According to a review of studies published in the International Journal of Yoga, repeating a mantra to yourself can have a true positive impact on your mental health. Often referred to as “mantra meditation” (MM), this mindfulness practice can help you cultivate motivation and relieve stress and anxiety. According to the studies reviewed in the research, there were great improvements to “quality of life” as a result of MM, including lowered stress, hypertension, and anxiety. Those benefits alone make the practice worthwhile, but repeating mantras can also help you make progress toward a goal that may otherwise appear out of reach.
The Mantra I’ve Been Repeating to Myself
There are plenty of different mantras that help people to achieve their fullest potential, or to concentrate and attain a greater level of mindfulness throughout their meditative practices. However, for me personally, the one mantra that has had the greatest impact is quite simple. “I am not bound by the limits society imposes on me.” In other words, the goals I set for myself are not the ones others expect that I am capable of. Throughout my life, there have been people who have doubted me, and put into question the results I could achieve through my hard work and dedication. I want to prove them wrong. But most of all, I want to prove to myself that I am worth more, and can achieve more, than others expect. I am not limited by others’ expectations of me, but only of my expectations for myself. That motivation helps me to get more done, both in my personal and professional life, and to help shirk off the criticisms and jealousy that has encouraged some to doubt my capabilities in life.
Conclusion
I fully admit that what motivates me may not motivate everyone; we all lead different lives, and encounter different challenges while battling through separate insecurities and anxieties. In other words: what works for me may not work for you. You may be inspired by an entirely different mantra or way of thinking. Whatever helps you attain a state of mindfulness, I encourage you to stick with it. Find the mantra that works for you, and repeat it until you have attained the mindset and goals you set out for yourself. If you are interested in other mindfulness, wellness, or lifestyle topics, feel free to check out our blog for more!
