Words have power. They can transform. They can heal. It’s no surprise then that relics from century old religions made chanting a regular exercise, bringing peace, control, positivity and energy to their inner self. Whether it’s the Chinese or Tibetan monks or the Sadhus in the Hindu religion, these saints have made perfect use of mantras and affirmations for their well-being and attaining higher consciousness. But do we confuse mantras and affirmations? Are they the same thing or is there a difference? The first thing that comes to mind when we say mantra is the chants. It can also refer to something that you might follow to succeed in smaller or bigger things in life. Affirmations, on the other hand, are mostly phrases or words that bring confidence. However, are mantras and affirmations the same? Let’s find out the difference between mantra and affirmation.
Defining Mantras – Knowing What are Mantras
If repeating something could bring positivity and peace, wouldn’t you follow it with rigour? We guess so. This is why mantras are so widely followed as a means to bring mental and spiritual peace. It has been practiced for centuries as a meditation process by repeating special words or a word for extended periods of time. This technique helps the wandering mind come back to the present, emptying the mental clutter from worldly worries and tensions.
Called mantras, these sacred sounds can be practiced as a prayer, meditation or even as part of an individual’s spiritual journey. When chanted repeatedly, they create a perfect harmony between the mind, body and soul, giving you a sense of calm.
Yes, they definitely are not random words. They have a deeper meaning. Be it their phonetic impact, or meaning in the spiritual realm, their ability to bring self-awareness makes them so special.
Defining Affirmations – Knowing What are Affirmations
Life is hard. We all get into situations that bog us down. And we often require that push to keep going. Affirmations can be the solution to help you keep going when the going gets tough. Affirmations are nothing but a way of reminding yourself that you can do it. That it is not all over and that you have the strength to sail through adversity.
Affirmations are nothing but short sentences with a positive message. Sentences like “I can do it,” “I have it in me,” “I am strong,” etc. can make you stronger internally, giving you the strength to face adverse situations. It is the self-belief these affirmations bring that make them so important and effective.
Advantages of Mantra Chanting
While there are health benefits like improvement of heart health and better blood flow, chanting mantras also have positive spiritual impact as well. As the mind finds peace with mantra chanting, it helps you go deeper into your spiritual journey.
Not just that, mantra chanting also increases brain activity in areas associated with skill learning and processing of positive emotions. In short, it enhances overall emotional well-being, giving a person a more positive feel and outlook towards life.
Advantages of Affirmations
Affirmations keep you positive and strong. They help you navigate the complexities of life. They bring the strength you need to face adversity. They are self-confidence building sentences that can help you push your boundaries and achieve great things in life.
While both mantras and affirmations have a positive impact on your life, they should not be confused with. These are two different things, and even though they look similar on the outside, they perform differently.
Releated Read : 150 Positive Affirmations For Men
Mantras v/s Affirmations
Both affirmations and mantras can impact your inner self positively. However, mantras are slightly more spiritually bent. They come from centuries of traditions and have been known to have roots deep inside human knowledge gained from practice. Mantras have been known to be followed in Hinduism and Buddhism for centuries. The monks and sadhus made mantras a part of their life. Since then, chanting of mantras have been passed from generation to generation, making them an integral part of life for people following these religions. However, the modern science and Western knowledge has also approved of their positive impact, making chanting mantra a global phenomenon.
Affirmations can be applied to all spheres of life. Be it work or personal life, they can help you stand up and make the most of what you are made of. You can do the affirmations any time of the day as a way of reminding yourself of your strengths. They can increase confidence, self-worth, sense of value, self-esteem, and improve mental health.
Tips for Using Mantras and Affirmations
The most basic thing to ensure that mantras and affirmations impact you positively is consistency. You need to inculcate chanting mantra of saying your affirmations as a daily practice. While it is better to set aside a particular time for mantra chanting, you can say your affirmations any time of the day – while driving to work, working out, or whenever you have some alone time.
Some other tips to keep in mind include:
Choose them right: Choose a mantra of affirmation that resonates with who you are and what you wish to accomplish. This will help you get better results.
Maintain the intent: It is all about conviction and belief. Both mantras and affirmations are as effective as you make them. If you don’t believe in them, they will have no impact. So, maintain your conviction and say them with belief.
Patience is the key: Things don’t work in a jiffy. They take time. And you must be patient for their impact to pour in. Give yourself time and continue saying your mantras/affirmations without expecting them show results in a short time. Eventually, you will see the difference.
Whether you follow mantra or affirmations, the idea is to bring positive change in life. With conviction, passion and patience, you can change your life for good.
Join our upcoming yoga teacher training in bali to deepen your practice and teaching skills. We bring Personal growth through Eastern Wisdom + Western Science.
Get in Touch
Address: Jl. Raya Sanggingan No.36, Kedewatan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80517, Indonesia
Contact: +6282145498596
Email: info@yoganewvision.com
Website: https://yoganewvision.com/
