As a supplement to the discussion on mantras in the book, we wanted to list a few more mantras with assistance on pronunciation and translation. The word mantra is Sanskrit, and the use of mantras is most prevalent in Hinduism and Buddhism. A similar concept exists in many other spiritual traditions, including Judaism and Christianity, but because this meditative tool was so much more developed in Eastern religions, their mantras will naturally comprise the great majority of what we present here.
We believe that the major religions of the world all point to the same basic truths, so if you find a mantra you like here, there’s no reason to feel uncomfortable if it originated in a religion other than yours. Reciting a mantra doesn’t make you Christian or Buddhist, and it doesn’t mean you’re signing up for anything. If you experience peace when you recite a mantra, it’s good for you.
Here are some you can try.
Short Mantras
Many of the shortest one-syllable mantras are called bija or “seed” mantras. We’ve selected a few seed mantras and a handful of other one to three syllable mantras to explore below. They are the easiest to remember and recite.
OM or AUM: Probably the most well-known mantra ever, Om is considered to be the sound of the creation of the universe. The sound of God. It’s thought to attune one with their true nature and to clear the mind. Om is often used before other mantras as an opener and potentiator.
AIM: (Pronounced “Aaayeem”) Aim is like a feminine version of Om. It’s the seed mantra of Sarasvati, the goddess of words, music, art, and learning. The mantra Aim is thought to enhance our connection to motherly energy, creative flow, and intellectual pursuits. Aim is considered the seed mantra of the power of sound.
HRIM: (Pronounced “Hreem”) Not the easiest one for most English speakers to pronounce, Hrim is another mantra that invokes the Divine Feminine. According to Satyadev: “Hrim is a mantra of magical force, captivation and empowerment. It can be used relative to any deity or object whose presence we wish to access at the level of the heart. It brings about joy, ecstasy and bliss. A true heart mantra on all levels, whether the spiritual heart, the heart chakra, the emotional heart or the physical organ.” Hrim is considered to be the seed mantra of solar energy.
ONG: (Pronounced similarly to Om but with the “ng” ending) Ong is an important seed mantra in the Sikh religion, a Gurmukhi-language variant of the Sanskrit Om. Like Om, it is considered to be the “primal vibration.” But in comparison to Om, Ong is considered to have a more grounding effect on our consciousness.
SRIM: (Pronounced “Shreem”) Srim is another seed mantra of the Divine Mother. Srim is specifically the base mantra for connecting to the qualities embodied by the concept of the goddess Lakshmi – abundance, love, health, devotion, and happiness. Srim is considered the mantra of lunar energy.
HUM: (Pronounced “Hoom”) Hum is a seed mantra that’s considered to invoke the powerful energy of fire. As an element, fire is considered to assist in transformation. The Hum mantra is thought to “burn up” negativity and to bolster passion and vitality.
HU: (Pronounced like the English word Hue) Hu is considered an ancient name for God; some believe it is the correct pronunciation of the Hebrew name of God that is usually written as Yahweh or Jehovah. Chanting Hu (“Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu”) repeatedly is thought to help open one’s heart to love and to bring a sense of peace and alignment with one’s higher self.
SOHAM: (Pronounced “So Haahm” or “So Humm”) This Sanskrit mantra is variously translated as “I am That,” “I am the Universe” or “I am myself God.” It essentially means, “I am one with the Universe / God.” Soham is usually recited silently, saying “Sooooo” on the inhale and “Hahmmmm” on the exhale.
HAMSA: (Pronounced “Haam Sah” or “Hum Sah”) This mantra is essentially the same as the previous one. If you repeat Soham or Hamsa cyclically, it often becomes unclear which one you’re saying. With Hamsa, usually one inhales while silently chanting “Hummm” and exhales while silently chanting “Saaaaah.” It can also be chanting audibly or very softly. Hamsa is used to regulate energy – to both calm and energize, and to experience peace.
GOD: God may be a loaded word for many, since so many human campaigns have been undertaken in the name of God, and God has such varied implications to different people. That said, the sound “God” has a certain “seed mantra” potency to it, if you feel neutral or positive about it. When chanted aloud or silently, it’s purpose is to align one with God, or one’s highest self, truth, or love.
SHANTI: (Pronounced “Shaan-tee”) Shanti simply means peace – our native and authentic state. A state in which there is no conflict or resistance. Shanti is often recited at the end of longer blessings or mantras, but it can also be used on its own.
SAT NAM: (Pronounced “Saat Naam”) Sat nam is a Gurmukhi language mantra. Sat (sometimes pronounced “Sut”) means Truth. And Nam means Name or Identity. Together they mean “Truth is my identity” or “Truth is my name” or “Truth is God’s name.” You can chant Sat Nam aloud (often this is done as a long Sat followed by a short Nam), or you can recite it silently. You may find it easy to inhale “Sat” and exhale “Nam.”
Longer Mantras
MARANATHA: (Pronounced “Mah-rah-nah-thah”) This is an Aramaic phrase from the Bible, which has been adapted by some as a mantra. It means “The Lord has come” or “The Lord is coming” or “Come, oh Lord!” It has been used especially in times of discouragement.
OM NAMAH SHIVAYA: (Pronounced “Ohm Nah-mah Shee-vah-yah”) Om Namah Shivaya is one of the most commonly recited mantras in the world – especially the Hindu world. It essentially means, “I offer a respectful invocation of the name of God,” or “I respectfully call on Shiva,” or “I respectfully invoke my Highest Self.” Despite its having more syllables, we have found this mantra very easy to repeat and one that relatively quickly guides us to a loving and peaceful state.
LOKA SAMASTA SUKHINO BHAVANTU: (Pronounced “Lo-kah Sah-mah-staah Soo-kee-no Baa-vahn-too”) This somewhat more contemporary Sanskrit mantra essentially means, “May all beings everywhere be happy and free.” Several sources break the mantra down into its component ideas as so: Lokah – The location of all universes existing at this moment. Samastah: All beings living in this location. Sukhino: In happiness, joy and free from all suffering. Bhav: The divine mood or state of union. Antu: May it be so.
OM MANI PADME HUM: (Pronounced “Ohm Maa-nee Paad-may Humm”) The most common Buddhist mantra, Om Mani Padme Hum is chanted by millions of people in many countries every day. Each of the six syllables in the mantra is considered to have a vital significance, and the mantra as a whole is thought to convey the very essence of Buddhism. Because of its depth, sources vary widely on its meaning, partly because it’s not so much a single sentence as it is a combination of powerful ideas. ZaChoeje Rinpoche explains: “Om, it is composed of three letters, A, U, M; these symbolize the pure exalted body, speech and mind of a Buddha and Bodhisattva. Mani, meaning jewel, symbolizes the method, great compassion and love. Just as a jewel is capable of fulfilling the outer needs of sentient beings, similarly, love and compassion are capable of fulfilling the inner needs of sentient beings. Peme [padme] meaning lotus, symbolizes wisdom. Just as a lotus grows from mud but is not polluted with mud, similarly, wisdom ‘the supreme knowledge’ is grown from ordinary mind but not polluted with ordinary thoughts. Hum, indicates union. The union of method and wisdom leads to pure exalted body, speech and mind of enlightened beings. Thus the six syllables, Om Ma ni Pe me Hum, mean that through the practice of a path that is a union of love and compassion with wisdom, you can transform your impure body, speech and mind into the pure exalted body, speech and mind of a Buddha.” Occasionally, you will hear this mantra as Om Mani Peme Hum or Om Mani Peme Hung – especially in Tibetan Buddhism.
NAM MYOHO RENGE KYO: (Pronounced “Nahm Mee-oh-ho Ren-gay Kee-oh”; the first word is sometimes used in its long form – Namu “Nah-moo”) This common mantra is central to Nichiren Buddhism and it’s similar to Om Mani Padme Hum in that it intends to convey the essence of Buddhism in a few multi-dimensional words. According to the Soka Gakkai group, “The essence of Buddhism is the conviction that we have within us at each moment the ability to overcome any problem or difficulty that we may encounter in life; a capacity to transform any suffering. Our lives possess this power because they are inseparable from the fundamental law that underlies the workings of all life and the universe.” And this law is conveyed in this mantra and in the Lotus Sutra, to which it refers. Nichiren intended the recitation of this mantra (and the broader Buddhist practice) to enable people to activate this law in their lives and experience joyful liberation from suffering.
OLAM CHESSED YIBANEH: (Pronounced “Oh-lahm Hess-ed Yih-bah-neh.” Technically, the H sound beginning Chessed is a “hard” H, like softly clearing the throat, or like the “ch” sound in the German “ich” or “achtung.” This Hebrew phrase means, “The world will be built with lovingkindness,” “A world of loving kindness will be built” or “We will build a world of love.” This phrase comes from Psalms, and although it’s not a traditional mantra, it has emerged as one. The term chessed is quite like the Buddhist concept of lovingkindness.
OM GAM GANAPATAYE NAMAHA: (Pronounced “Ohm Gaam Gaa-naa-paa-taa-yay Naa-maa-haa”) This is a basic mantra to Ganesh – the Hindu name for the facet of the Divine that presides over beginnings, journeys, and the removal of obstacles. A very down-to-earth explanation from HumanityHealing.net is as follows:
Om = Salutations! Everyone wake up!
Gam = The secret power sound of Ganesh. It is his “seed syllable” or bija mantra.
Ganapataye = Another name of Ganesh, the breaker of obstacles.
Namaha = Yo! Ganesh! You da God!
This is a mantra we often use at the beginning of a ceremony, or anytime we are encountering obstacles.
We hope you try some of these mantras and experience something from them – something other than your everyday mundane consciousness, or a feeling of peace or upliftment.
With love,
Dr. Peter Borten and Briana Borten
If you’d like to read a little more about mantras, here’s an article by The Well Life coauthor, Dr. Peter Borten, on the subject:
You Can’t Put the Genie Back in the Bottle
Once upon a time, a woman stumbled upon a tarnished bronze oil lamp in her backyard. Hoping it was one of those genie lamps you hear so much about, she rubbed it. Sure enough, a genie popped out.
“Hello,” said the genie. “As you’ve probably guessed, I’m a genie. I like to stay busy, so give me something to do.”
“Oh, goodie,” said the woman. “Is this a three wish deal?”
“Nope,” the genie replied. “You get me forever.”
“Awesome!” exclaimed the woman. “Could you do the laundry?”
“Yes,” said the genie. “It’s done. What next?”
“How about painting the house?”
“Done.”
“Weed the garden?”
“Finished.”
“Neuter the dog?”
“Neutered.”
“Ummm…. make dinner, I guess.”
“How spicy? Never mind, I chose medium.”
“Gee, thanks so much,” the woman said. “Why don’t you go take a break now?”
“I don’t take breaks,” said the genie.
“Oh, well, go hang out in your bottle and amuse yourself,” she tried.
“I don’t think you get how this works,” said the genie as he brought his face closer to hers. “GIVE ME SOMETHING TO DO OR I’LL EAT YOU!”
The startled woman was quick on her feet and replied, “Ok, I’ve got it. Climb up that flagpole. When you get to the top, slide down. Then climb up again, slide down again, and just keep doing that until I think of something else for you to do.”
It worked, and the woman didn’t get eaten.
In this parable, the genie is meant to represent the human mind. As for the flagpole routine, that’s the value of mantra.
Mantras have a number of forms and purposes. Some believe that mantras, through their particular composition of sounds and ideas, produce a spiritual or therapeutic effect. Certain mantras are meant to be spoken aloud; others can be simply “spoken” mentally. Using a mantra with a meaning you understand may have the additional benefit of aligning your intention around a positive idea, although using a mantra in another language or one without any meaning may be useful in that you won’t be analyzing the meaning.
Most mantras originated in Hinduism and Buddhism, although Sikhism and other religions use them as well. Hebrew, like Sanskrit, is a profoundly intentional language, with each letter also representing a number and spiritual concept, so it has been proposed that Hebrew scripture also has a mantra-like quality. If other religions – or religion in general – make you uneasy, don’t worry. Repeating a mantra that originated in some religious tradition doesn’t indoctrinate you into that religion or make God upset.
There are entire books devoted to the theory and practice of mantras, so rather than try to say everything about them in this brief article, I’ll cut to the chase. Whether or not you believe in the vibrational power of mantras, they are useful for occupying the mind with something that doesn’t involve analysis, and they often help facilitate a meditate state.
There are short mantras and long mantras. I recommend a shorter one for silent meditation, since it’s easier to remember. The shortest one syllable mantras are called bija or “seed” mantras, such as Om, Aim (“aeem”), Shrim (“shreem”), Hrim (“hreem”), Krim (“cream”), Hum, Hu (“hue”), Ram (“rahm”), Vam (“vahm”), and Ham (“hahm”). Some other short ones include Ong, God, Love, and Shanti (peace). Then there are slightly longer ones such as the Sikh mantra Sat Nam (“saht” on inhale, “nahm” on exhale), the Hindu mantra Om Namah Shivaya, and the Buddhist mantra Om Mani Padme Hum (or Om Mani Peme Hung). There are thousands more. You may wish to find one that seems suited to your spiritual sensibilities, or one that just feels good to say. In my opinion, one of the most relaxing is the Willywonkian mantra Oompa Loompa.
This week I’d like you to try meditating with a mantra. Choose one from above or find one you like online or from a book. Sit comfortably and repeat your chosen mantra silently, at a speed that feels comfortable to you. If your mind wanders, just bring it back to the mantra. See if, compared to simply watching the breath, this makes it easier to enter a relaxed state.