Why did I try Mantra Meditation?
Of all the things I’ve tried in my life to manage my stress and anxiety, Mantra Meditation gave me the most profound and immediate results. I have a young son, and I want to set a good example for him on how to deal with stress and frustration. In the past, I would sometimes escalate minor disagreements with my wife due to my anxiety, and I wanted to find a way to change that.
How it got on my radar
A few successful and creative people I admire have sworn by Mantra Meditation. For example, music producer Rick Rubin has been a major influence on me since 1986. I’ve watched many videos on his working style and was struck by how calm and collected he always seems. He attributes his calm demeanor to Mantra Meditation, which his doctor recommended to his parents to help with his childhood stress.
In addition to Rick Rubin, filmmaker David Lynch is also a strong advocate of Mantra Meditation and even leads it. While I enjoy his movies and personality, I was initially wary of his association with the practice. However, comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who I consider to be a no-nonsense person, also practices Mantra Meditation, which helped normalize it for me.
Why not other types of meditation?
I have tried other recommended forms of meditation, but due to my tendency to overthink and ruminate, I just couldn’t get into them. Some other methods also felt unappealing to me, even from a description level. Additionally, there is some scientific evidence about the specific brainwaves targeted by different forms of meditation, and Mantra Meditation seemed to be the most effective for me.
My research
I was initially concerned that Mantra Meditation might be a cult, especially given the association with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, who first gained popularity in the West through his association with The Beatles. However, after conducting my own research, I found that this was not the case, and that the practice is simply a form of meditation.
I had the option of learning Mantra Meditation for free from various online resources, but I decided to pay for it and work with a teacher. This was a good decision, as I think it helped me stay focused and positive, especially given my doubts and anxieties.
My experience
I won’t describe the Mantra Meditation process, as it is easily accessible online, but I will share my personal experience. I signed up on the website and was referred to a new teacher in my area. The first session took place in a comfortable and welcoming office, and the teacher and I had a mini-interview to create a personal connection. After a bathroom break, the teacher gave me my mantra and instructed me on how to use it.
Within just 10-15 minutes of doing the mantra in my mind, I felt incredibly calm and relaxed. I even had some visual experiences with my eyes closed, which I had not encountered with self-hypnosis. Over the course of my initial 10 sessions, and subsequent sessions over Zoom, I found that I was able to control my reactions to stress and frustration better. I felt more in control of myself and was able to deflect others’ negative emotions without being affected by them.
Long-term effect
For months after my initial sessions, I felt great and in control, but I eventually stopped practicing Mantra Meditation. However, when I found myself struggling with sleep and feeling overwhelmed, I returned to the practice, and within just 15 minutes, I felt refreshed and better able to handle life’s stressors.
What it does
When you repeat your mantra, you are creating a loop of single-focused thought that occupies your active mind. This loop prevents other thoughts, especially negative ones, from taking up space in your active thinking. Over time and with practice, you will find that 20 minutes of focusing on your mantra is enough to give your mind a much-needed break from overthinking and obsessing about negative or traumatic experiences.
This break allows you to reset and feel like you are back to being a carefree child, even though you still have all the experiences and responsibilities of adulthood. You can view your negative thoughts from a detached and non-emotional perspective. For me, just a week or two of practicing Mantra Meditation made me feel refreshed and rejuvenated for months.
Conclusion
Mantra Meditation has been proven to be effective for many successful and critical thinkers, including The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Jerry Seinfeld, Tom Hanks, Rick Rubin, and David Lynch. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to manage their stress and anxiety.
