Day Nine: focusing your mind
The Sanskrit “mantra” is from the roots “manas” (the linear thinking mind) and “tra” (to cross over).
A mantra supports you to move beyond the rational thinking mind to connect more directly to a higher level of consciousness.
Chanting mantras has many benefits - there is the vibration of sound, the control of your breath, and if you do choose to consider the meaning of the mantra, it's a way of holding a positive intention in your mind.
Here is a recording of the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra - the mantra begins around 1min 30 seconds if you're the impatient type. 😉
The track is by Song Huei Liou & Ya Ging Ging from the album 'Tibetan Incantations'.
The Dalai Lama explains the significance and meaning of 'Om Mani Padme Hum'.