A Mantra to Help You Stay Playful at Family Gatherings

A mantra is a sacred word, sound, or phrase that is believed by some to have psychological and spiritual powers. The Sanskrit word mantra consists of the root “man ("to think”) and the suffix “tra,” which translates as "instrument of thought." 

According to Pandit Vamadeva Shastri (David Frawley), when carefully chosen and used silently, mantras have the ability to help alter your subconscious impulses, habits, and afflictions. When spoken or chanted, mantras direct the healing power of prana (life-force energy) and, in traditional Vedic practices, can be used to energize and access spiritual states of consciousness.

Using a mantra can help us stay playful at heart during the holiday season, when we gather with family and friends. For some, family gatherings are fun; for others, they can be stressful. Or maybe it's a combination of both. Either way, here’s a mantra to use during the holidays:

"I move through my day light-hearted and carefree, knowing all is well."

Before your family gathering, find a quiet space and sit comfortably with your eyes closed. You can light candles, burn incense, infuse oils, or whatever helps you get quiet inside.

Begin to notice your breath. Grow taller with your inhale, and feel the support below you as you exhale. 

Take one to five minutes to repeat the mantra over and over, with eyes closed, in your seated position. A mantra is fueled by the act of constant and consistent repetition. By repeating a thought or idea, it gains strength and energy, and anchors us to the present moment.

During a family gathering, you can take a few minutes to step outside or into the bathroom, or sit in your car, and repeat the mantra. You can come back to your mantra anytime, anywhere. Whether you want to create positivity, health, wealth, self-love, balance, or peace, a mantra can be used during meditation, during an asana practice, and during daily life to help keep you aligned with the intention you want to create or manifest.

And maybe, just maybe, this mantra will help you to navigate family dynamics during the holiday season. Happy Holidays! 

Find out about upcoming programs with Tiffany Wood at Kripalu.

This article was originally published on Tiffany's blog.