You Are What You Think

Isn’t it amazing at times, and even laughable in hindsight, that such small things can affect our mood, concentration and detract us from feeling like our best selves? These instances may cause us to shake our head or roll our eyes. We know that we are and can be so much greater.

 

Instead of rehashing the event that threw us off balance, I would like to suggest another tool that has been so instrumental on my journey towards mindfulness: a self-affirmation mantra. A self-affirmation mantra can truly help with self-forgiveness and staying present.

 

Here is a way to help discover your own self-affirmation mantra, and I hope that it helps you when you need it most:

 

Step 1: Close your eyes and take three long breaths to release all of the negativity and thoughts that are not serving you.

 

Step 2: With your eyes still closed, contemplate the following questions:

 

• What makes you your best self?
• What do you want to radiate out?
• What qualities do you admire in others?
• What do you aim to be now?

 

You should feel free to add your own questions to this list, too.

 

Step 3: Open your eyes and begin writing words that came to mind, or even short sentences. It is okay and totally normally if it is hard to write on the first try. You come back to the questions again.

 

Optional Step 4: If you feel comfortable, share with a close friend and ask their advice.

 

Step 5: Begin reciting your new mantra every day.

 

I learned from my teachers at Yoga Borgo, Sada Saat Khalsa and Sada Saat Singh, that in order for something like a self-affirmation mantra to stick, you have to truly believe it in your heart and then say it over 20 times a day to actually become it. Think about for a second. Does that make sense to you? You are what you think.

 

To fully take on the challenge and bring more awareness into this “experiment,” I recommend journaling every evening and checking in with yourself.

 

Step 6: Just as you evolve, you can always evolve your self-affirmation and add new words to it.

 

Here is my first self-affirmation mantra that my sangha in India helped me write. I recited this mantra each morning for 40 days before I began my meditation.

I AM ENOUGH

I AM LOVE

I AM WHOLE & GROUNDED

THIS IS MY PRACTICE OF DEVOTION

THIS IS FOR ME

I CAN. I WILL. I MUST.

I SURRENDER.

In the comments section below, please share what self-affirmation mantra you are trying. Or do you already have one you have used in the past? Inspire us.

 

Lastly, I hope that these self-affirmation mantras vibrate your mind, heal your body and that you become what you intend to be.  As truth can only be experienced, try it and see for yourself.