If you feel like you are having difficulty concentrating during the meditation, you are not alone. Like the trains visiting a train station, your thoughts keep coming up in your mind. Sometimes more than other times.

I know you think I’m going to say that there’s an app for that. And most probably, there is one or more, but not that I’m aware of it. Though there is indeed something magically helpful, and that is the mantra.

One of the easiest ways to stop the mind from thinking about the past, present or future while meditating is, using a mantra. Introducing a mantra doesn’t only keep your mind from wandering, but it also helps you to concentrate on your breath. Mantra is a way to stop the noise of the past and of the present. It calms the fluctuations of your mind and connects you to your soul.

It could be as easy as saying Sat while breathing in and Nam while breathing out inwardly or outwardly.

Though there are also other more sophisticated and powerful mantras that you can use to meditate, and one of them is, without a doubt, the Gayatri Mantra.

One of the Best

The Gayatri Mantra is believed to be a powerful hymn among the various mantras mentioned in the ancient Indian scriptures. It is dedicated to the Goddess of the five elements, Gayatri.

Goddess Gayatri represents infinite knowledge. It is she who eliminates the darkness and ignorance from our lives. Furthermore, she helps us to attain enlightenment by showering us with the wisdom that we need in our day to day life. And the life that extends beyond.

It was in the winter of 2012 when I first ran into this beautiful chant. A friend of mine mentioned it to me. Immediately, I went to YouTube and found, in my opinion, the best performance of chanting it. And after nine years, I still think that Deva Premal & Miten’s performance of Gayatri Mantra is the best that I’ve heard so far.

As soon as I have found it, I started to listen to it on replay. I think I listened to it one full day. At the end of the day, it was etched to my mind so profoundly that, I doubt that I will ever forget the words.

Gayatri Mantra – A Universal Prayer

Let us get to the point and share the lyrics and meaning of this beautiful mantra.

Om bhūr bhuvaḥ svaḥ

tat savitur vareṇyaṃ

bhargo devasya dhīmahi

dhiyo yo naḥ prachodayāt

Its meaning is even better than its melodic lyrics. It says; O, God. You are the almighty creator of this Universe. You are omnipotent and omnipresent! You are the supreme source of Knowledge, Light and Bliss. You are a Destroyer of all fear and evil. We meditate and bow upon your light, for your light may guide our intellect in the right direction.

It’s almost impossible not to like its meaning, its words, its melody. After nine years, it still gives me goosebumps. And I would love to hear what it makes you feel. Would you mind sharing?

Namaste

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay