Steve McSwain: 10 Mantras for a More Meaningful New Year

This is an interesting article, from Steve McSwain,for people who don’t do resolutions, but still look to the New Year as an opportunity for self improvement and awareness…

A mantra is a sound, syllable or group of words which, when recited, are regarded as capable of producing spiritual transformation (or so says Wiki). Actually, mantra is a word common in the eastern world and is itself made up of two words: man meaning “mind,” and tra meaning “instrument.” So, a mantra is “an instrument of the mind.”

In eastern religions, and to a lesser degree in the mystical traditions of Christianity, meditators use mantras to center themselves and so bring health and wholeness to the inner self (or, greater unity between the mind, body and spirit). Benedictine monks regularly use scripture in this fashion. For example, they might recite in meditation over and over again the words, “The Lord is my shepherd” (from the 23rd Psalm).

In my own experience, I have made it an every-morning practice to meditate and recite the following mantras. This is the first time, however, I’ve actually written them down. This was itself a wonderful discipline.

In many respects, a New Year’s Resolution is a kind of mantra. But, like mantras, resolutions must be practiced daily if you’re serious about them becoming your way of living. Which is why, my first mantra is…

More, including the actual Mantras:   Steve McSwain: 10 Mantras for a More Meaningful New Year.