In this new 2014 blog series titled, Mantra of the Month, we will be focusing on our first meditative incantation. A “mantra” is a word or group of words designed to evoke a mindful response. This word or phrase is meant to act as a trigger to help focus on a specific topic or thought. Born from ancient Hindu Vedic literature and common in Buddhist circles our Mantra of the Month is:
“Breathe in Positive Energy, Breathe out Negativity….”
Remember, in a Responsive Universe what we think we can create if we exhibit the right confidence and intent. As a meditative exercise, take a couple of moments out of your busy day and focus on this mantra. But first, what is positive energy? Well, it is everything tangible and intangible that surrounds us and constitutes us… At the most basic sub atomic and cellular level, humans are made up of atoms and molecules composed of energy. Quantum energy is the basis for all matter both seen and unseen. In a Universe of light, energy and vibration, humans are connected to this dynamism that links instinctual wisdom and consciousness; a common dominator for human existence. Through meditation and mindfulness we can imagine and visualize this energy passing through or entering our body – its basis is pure, unadulterated and indestructible. It is the opposite of ego and all that is negative within our lives. As social creatures we are constantly inundated with negative energy in the form of fear, jealousy, anger and false-confidence – some more so than others. The key is to center our energy and connect more with that True Nature within.
For a helpful exercise, pause for a moment and breathe in deeply 5 to 7 times. First, take a deep breath and feel your chest inflate with oxygen. Hold this breath for a couple of moments and then exhale, expelling all that is negative from your body and aura. Simply, visualize negativity, disease and addiction leaving your body with the out breath. Repeat this exercise several times.
Breathe in positive energy and breathe out negativity….
Breathe in all that is positive: Energy, light, love and wisdom… Hold your breath and then slowly exhale allowing all that is negative to leave your body: Negative thoughts, feelings of anxiety, or bad experiences; let anything negative leave your body on exhalation allowing only your True Nature to remain; steadfast and unshaken. Think of negativity as clouds obscuring the sun. As you slowly breathe in and out imagine the sun breaking through these clouds casting warm, healing illumination down on top of you. Do this several times and be mindful of this shift in energy. How do you feel now? Centered? Lighter?
Try this several times a day and notice the difference. Do you feel more relaxed, positive, inspired or revitalized? Use this exercise when you are feeling a little rushed, stressed or overwhelmed… This is a great exercise right before a sit down meditation session!
“Breathe in Positive Energy, Breathe out Negativity….”
John C. Bader
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simple and symbolic ..good one.
John thanks for the posting, I recently became aware of a Mantra since it was recommended to me that I should see if my stepfather would be interested in meditation while dealing with his cancer treatments. He hasn’t had many nights where is has been able to sleep the whole night, he started listening and learning the Gayatri Mantra and especially with Deva Premal. I have to say the very first night he was able to get a full nights sleep, my mother was impressed she started as well.
Ed
thanks for your comments Ed – JCB
Thanks for sharing this insightful writeup.
truly enjoyed reading this.
Please tell us what should we think while inhaling positive energy and exhaling negative energy. It is confusing me little.
Regards
Rachit
http://atlasshrugged-eccentric.blogspot.in/
thanks for the comment! As you breathe in, visualize illumination, healing energy and instinctual wisdom entering your body. As quantum physics suggest, we are what we create with the right confidence and intent – breathe in all that is positive and then exhale all that is negative. The exercise is symbolic and then it is also energy changing form between breaths. Try it and notice how you feel after – JCB
Hi, John, I appreciate your site a lot, so don’t take my comments for “trolling.” I am a serious, devoted Tibetan Buddhist in the Nyingma Longchen Nyingt’hik lineage, so I am not dabbling. I’m interested in how you’d add to this post or change it in the context of t’onglen practice. Pema Chodron gives the best explanation of it for laypeople, I think. Check it out: http://www.shambhala.org/teachers/pema/tonglen2.php
This was very helpful – thanks! Anything from Pema Chodron speaks volumes to me. Respectively, I probably would not change anything as this Mantra arose through my own practice as a helpful measure of positivity. As a person who has sought many of my own answers through meditation, mindfulness and personal self-discovery; I find it inspirational that there are parallels to my journey in all faiths/philosophies of life. I am not a serious, devoted Buddhist, though I will confess that Buddhism does speak to me more than other threads of thought and it does color many of my perspectives. I do find much empowerment in the fact I have reached a level of spiritual evolution in my life – mostly through independent sources of energy, wisdom and inspiration. As you may find, as you dig deeper into my blog, I am no stranger to controversy: I like to stir the pot a little and ask questions in an effort to open up new perspectives and threads of thought – living with openness and a willingness to change is my primary focus – I look forward to more of your comments – JCB