Mantra Series | I SURRENDER

WHERE THIS ALL BEGAN

As I start building the foundation for a new mediation and self-care practice, I've been looking for ways to quiet my 'busy' mind. From breath work, visualization and passive observance to guided meditation, essential oils, and mantras.

Our minds are funny little things, aren't they? Just when we sit down to find stillness and connection, the insistent chatter of the restless mind starts kicking into high gear. Bringing up thoughts of sheer brilliance and complete absurdity. Touching on everything from the theory of relativity to wondering what happened to the pink cord overalls I used to wear when I was 5.

I find myself turning to mantras more and more, especially when my thoughts are tail-spinning and my life seems a little out of alignment.

My mantra this week, two simple words: I SURRENDER.

WHAT "I SURRENDER" MEANS TO ME

As a strong-willed, type-A kind of lady who, some might say, likes to be in control; 'I surrender' represents balance. It's the other said of the control equation. A reminder to let go of the struggle and just be and feel.

My life, as it does sometimes, has been flipped upside down as of late. Instead of letting this become all-consuming and letting myself become overrun by negative or fearful emotions, I'm practicing patience. I'm practicing letting go of the things that I cannot control and surrendering to where I need to be right now.

One of my themes for this year is to live more in alignment. When life throws me a curveball, my innate reaction is to struggle, to swim against the current and fight my way out.

'I surrender' represents being in flow.

LET'S TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT MANTRAS, SHALL WE?

Mantra's, by definition, are words, sounds or phrases that you repeat to aid in your meditative practice. Sacred utterances, affirmations, intentions or cues; it is simply a tool to help turn off the noise and bring yourself to a deeper level of awareness.

It is believed that the repetition of a thought can help it gain strength in meaning, and helps anchor you to the present moment. It plants the seed of your intentions and deepest desires.

HOW TO USE A MANTRA

The fun thing about mantras, or any of this woo-woo stuff that I love to talk about, is that you can make it completely your own. Yes, there are some guiding principles or common practices around how to use them, but if you use a tool like a mantra in a unique way that makes you feel good, just go with it. After all, that's what it's all about, right?!

Here are 3 simple ways that I've been incorporating mantra's into my everyday life:

1. In My Meditation Practice | In its truest form, I use mantras at the start and/or throughout my meditation practice. When I'm not listening to a guided meditation to keep me focused, I just recite my chosen mantra whenever I need a little help coming back to the present moment.

Here are a few ways I incorporate mantra's into meditation:

• On the inhale: repeating "I surrender" on a deep inhale through the nose and sitting in stillness and silence for a full exhale.

• On the exhale: Drawing a deep belly breath in through the nose and saying "I surrender" as I slowly and rhythmically exhale, pushing all the air out of my belly, lungs, nose.

• Split between the two: Inhale: I. Exhale: Surrender.

2. Throughout My Day When I Need A Little Grounding.

Whenever I start to feel my anxiety rising, my mind racing, my emotions spinning, or before I have a tough conversation I take a few deep breaths.

I'm a pretty emotional girl and can get pretty worked up when life turns upside down. This little practice helps to slow my heart rate, calm my mind and generally make me feel good.

I take a slow, steady, deep breath in through my nose. Right down to the bottom of my belly. Feeling my stomach expand as I let the words echo in my head and heart:

"I surrender."

Hold for a slow count.

Then, just as evenly as the inhale, I slowly let the breath escape through my nose. Not forcing it but guiding it from the bottom of my lungs until all the air is out.

I repeat this as often as I need to feel calm. Feel the words as they pass through your body.

This week, these words have made my heart centre tingle, like energy radiating.

3. While I Journal

As part of my new meditation practice, I take a few minutes in the morning to journal. Right now I'm using a prompted journal to make it easy to stick to the practice but sometimes will use the time to just free right.

Anyhow, back to journaling with mantras. One of the little tricks that I picked up when I was in India, where some use as a meditation in and of itself, is to repeatedly write the same word or phrase as tiny and neat as possible. Paying close attention to every letter that you write. It helps to really imprint the mantra in your mind. I'll do this 10 or so times then move on to my journaling.