Mantra:
noun
1. Hinduism. a word or formula, as from the Veda, chanted or sung as an incantation or prayer.
2. an often repeated word, formula, or phrase, often a truism: If I hear the “less is more” mantra one more time, I’ll scream.
* from dictionary.com

I use mantras on a regular basis. Both the chanted or sung version in my kundalini yoga practice and the often repeated word or phrase as a reminder of what I know, believe or want to believe. They ground me when I feel off kilter. They bring me back to center, to truth, to myself. I bring them into my meditations, use them in my classes and have them posted like affirmations around my home. I thought it would be fun to share some of them here. Feel free to play along, or choose your own.

This week’s mantra is I Surrender. I Receive., courtesy of my beautiful friend, pleasure catalyst Kerrie Blazek, (whose inaugural Whiskey & Whimsey retreat runs April 3-6 – check it out here).

I love this mantra. It reminds me that while I am responsible for my thoughts, my actions and how I show up in the world, I’m still sitting in the passenger seat. I can navigate with my desires but Life is living me.  I can’t see the big picture and the words “I Surrender” remind me to let go of the need to push, control and force my day into what I think it should look like. There’s a softness in “I Surrender” like a deep, settling breath. It’s not weakness, or giving up. To me it feels like I’m opening my arms and heart to the universe and beaming I trust you. Bring it on.

Then “I Receive” helps me stay open to what comes. There is so much goodness in the world and in my life. Sometimes I forget to notice, or take it in. These words help me stop and breathe in the joy of a dancing hummingbird when I’m having a hard day, the beauty of clouds back lit by the sunrise when I wish I were still in bed and the gift of my husband’s compliment when I’m stewing in my imperfections.

I Surrender. I Receive.

If you join me this week, I’d love to know how it goes.