Resources

Common Mantras:

TUNING IN AND CLOSING MANTRAS

Shanti Mantra  https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=29&v=aCnifyw05E0

Oṁ Saha nāvavatu

saha nau bhunaktu

Saha vīryam karavāvahai

Tejasvi nāvadhītamastu

Mā vidviṣāvaha

Oṁ Shāntiḥ, Shāntiḥ, Shāntiḥ, 

Om, May we all be protected

May we all be nourished

May we work together with great energy

May our intellect be sharpened (may our study be effective)

Let there be no animosity amongst us

Om, peace, peace, peace
 

This mantra is used not only in yoga circles. It is commonly chanted in many schools and educational programs of India as a way to honor the student and teacher relationship to create a genuine learning and developmental collaboration. For the smooth flow of information, knowledge, and experience, the teacher must earn the trust of the students, the students must be receptive to receive the teacher's knowledge, and both must be passionate and focused on the subject matter, which can also be influenced by a passionate enough teacher who has the ability to awaken passion in others. 

Gayatri Mantra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60FH24ucmsg

Rather than give a direct translation of the Gayatri Mantra, which is often confusing to try to understand, here are several different meanings attributed to it. Some favor it as the origins of the universe, others as an aspect of the sun. You can choose whichever one you resonate with best.

I meditate upon the Supreme Energy, Gayatri Devi, who has the supreme quality of playing in the creation of all the worlds, and who induces noble thoughts in the hearts of everyone.

• Oh, creator of the universe. We meditate upon thy supreme splendor. May thy radiant power illuminate our intellects, destroy our ignorance and guide us in the direction of enlightenment by purifying our inner hearts.

• You who are the source of all power, whose rays illuminate the world, illuminate my heart so that it too can do your work.

• Let us commune with the luminous light of consciousness that sustains all the worlds, that it may inspire our liberation.

• We meditate on that light of the luminous God Savitur, who is the inspirer of all beings, their inner self, and is the creator of the universe. We meditate on that adorable light which is the self of the supreme Lord of the universe. It is the giver of knowledge and destroyer of ignorance. It is the light of the Supreme Brahman itself. May that light enlighten us.

Ganesha Mantra

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTFWfD7L5QA

Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha

This particular mantra is important because not only is it fun and catchy, but it also represents a willingness to release and move past the perceived obstacles in our lives. We can all make excuses for ourselves about why we cannot achieve our dreams, but you will have an easier time succeeding when you choose to focus on your goals rather than your challenges. So when you make the choice to chant this mantra, you are aligning yourself with your desired outcome and moving towards it with conviction.

LONG TIME SUN (3X)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i5tJvY_P9vg

May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you, and the pure light within you guide your way on.

Is chanted at the end of any Kundalini session to close and bless; palms in Prayer Mudra followed by 3 long Sat Nams.

Lokah Samastah

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLDRpB_4fkQ

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

lokah: location, realm, all universes existing now

samastah: all beings sharing that same location

sukhino: centered in happiness and joy, free from suffering

bhav: the divine mood or state of unified existence

antu: may it be so, it must be so (antu used as an ending here transforms this mantra into a powerful pledge)

This is a prayer each one of us can practice every day. It reminds us that our relationships with all beings and things should be mutually beneficial if we ourselves desire happiness and liberation from suffering. No true or lasting happiness can come from causing unhappiness to others. No true or lasting freedom can come from depriving others of their freedom. If we say we want every being to be happy and free, then we have to question everything that we do-how we live, how we eat, what we buy, how we speak, and even how we think.