Many years ago a man came to me and said he wanted to learn to meditate and could I help him.
He told me that he had heard that chanting and mantras were a good way to meditate but that he was uncomfortable with chanting in a foreign language or reciting a mantra that did not make sense to him.
I advised him to slowly inhale and think the word “Breathe”
Exhale slowly and think the word “relax”
Inhale and think the word “release”
Exhale and think the words “let go”
I advised him to sit in a quiet place and for twenty minutes once or twice per day and mentally recite this “mantra” while following his breath
The man came back the next week and said that he had been reciting the mantra every day for twenty minutes but didn’t like the word “release” and could he change it to “realize” making the mantra
Breath
Relax
Realize
Let go
I said sure, try that for a week and see how it goes
The man came back the next week and said that he had been reciting the mantra every day for twenty minutes but the word “realize” wasn’t working for him and could he change it to “awaken” making the mantra
Breath
Relax
Awaken
Let go
I said sure, try that for a week and see how it goes
The man came back the following week and said that he had been reciting the mantra every day for twenty minutes but decided that he was going to change the word “awaken” back to the word “release” because he felt I had been right all along, making the mantra
Breath
Relax
Release
Let go
I said sure, try that for a week and see how it goes
The man came back the next week and told me that he realized he had been meditating every day for a month and he felt much clearer and calmer overall
I said great, try that for your life and see how it goes