Let’s take a closer look at the definitions for some of these tools:
Mantra – A sacred verbal formula repeated in prayer, meditation, or incantation, such as an invocation of a god, a magic spell, or a syllable or portion of scripture containing mystical potentialities; (Sanskrit) literally means a `sacred utterance’; a collection of orally transmitted poetic hymns.
Invocation – The act or an instance of invoking, especially an appeal to a higher power for assistance; A prayer or other formula used in invoking, as at the opening of a religious service; An incantation used in conjuring.
Affirmation – The act of affirming or the state of being affirmed; assertion. Something declared to be true; a positive statement or judgment; a solemn declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary).
These powerful and ancient, alchemical tools for transformation utilize a combination of many aspects of your consciousness. Conscious, sincere, focused, positive, intention, and emotional connection, coupled with meditative repetition in the context of any resonating belief system can aid in programming (or de programing) our mental neural pathways which make up the matrix of the conditioned mind. In other words, it can create profound change at a fundamental level.
Let us break down what these words mean:
- repetition (the act or an instance of repeating; reiteration)
- conscious (awareness; alert; awake; intentionally conceived)
- sincere (genuine; earnest; pure; integrity; being without hypocrisy)
- focused (complete attention; intense mental effort)
- positive (displaying certainty; acceptance; affirmation; increase or progress)
- intention (a commitment; promise; purposeful goal or aim that guides action)
- emotion (energy in motion; the expression of a state of feeling)
- belief (an opinion, conviction; confidence; creed or faith)
Why is the context of your belief system important for the process? When reprogramming the mind, it helps to be able to “believe” this new idea or behavior within the context of your existing paradigm (but at the far edge of it, just beyond your “comfort zone”) or it will not be truly “sincere”, and your ego will discard it. The believability aspect makes it easier to integrate. How the choice of words feels is as important as what you are saying. If the invocation feels like something you would never say, or it is totally implausible to your belief system, it will not be as effective.
Why should it be spoken in the positive? “What you place your focus on you become.” You are programming a new behavior, so it makes sense that you would want to use positive words and affirmations to stabilize this new habit as a positive in your consciousness. Negative thoughts and words create negative thought patterns and contractive behavior. Using expansive words enables and inspires the expansion of consciousness.
Below are some basic invocations, affirmations, and mantras that I have used myself and with clients for the last 15 years. They have been developed through trial and error, through experimentation, observing what works and what does not. Please feel free to use these as a model and, by all means, build on them and personalize them until they resonate with you. There are millions of configurations possible. A good resource for these types of tools is Louise Hayes who has developed countless affirming tools linking the emotional, mental, and physical states of consciousness. Remember, every tradition has these tools. None are right or wrong. It is about finding out what works for you.
INVOCATIONS
Invocation of the Divine:
From all that I Am
I now give myself permission, allow, and invoke the deepest, wisest aspect of my being, my spirit guides, my guardians, ancestors, departed family members (name the ones who you feel connected to), my angels, celestial beings, and the highest levels of Love. I invoke the protection, guidance, healing, inspiration, embrace, energy and love on every level of my being; my physical body, my emotional bodies, my mental bodies, my energetic bodies, and my spiritual bodies… I allow this blessing into every cell of my being with ease, grace and flow and profound gratitude.
So be it.
It is done.
Take 3 deep breaths (Intention: to release on the first breath, on the second breath open yourself to receive, and on the final breath integrate the new energy)
Invocation for Clearing and Release:
From all that I Am,
I now give myself permission to release any energy, any being, any thought form, any emotion, any consciousness, any presence, any awareness, any essence, any contract, any spell, any curse, any entity, any other God, any agreement, any according, any connection, any pattern, any blockage, any projection, any self- imposed negative: judgment, resentment, guilt, shame, fear… Anything that I may have created, allowed, or received from any person, place, or thing… conscious or unconscious, known or unknown from any plane, any reality, any level, any dimension, any place any time, from anywhere…
Anything that is not serving my highest good at this moment, I now command in my name and in the name of the creator that you now be gone, and I release you with love and gratitude for all the ways in which you have served me from every cell of my being; my physical body, my emotional bodies, my mental bodies, my energetic bodies, and my spiritual bodies on all levels…
So be it
It is done
Take 3 deep breaths (Intention: to release on the first breath, on the second breath open yourself to receive, and on the final breath integrate the new energy)
AFFIRMATIONS:
Always state the affirmations in positive language and repeat out loud, continuously for at least 21 times once a day (or more) for 21 consecutive days. I found it is even more powerful to gaze into the mirror looking into your eyes when you are saying your affirmations (or invocations) aloud. As you look deep into the “windows of your soul” you are speaking directly to yourself. Some people find this uncomfortable at first, and that is an indication that you are pushing yourself to far end of your comfort zone, since it is challenging to be that intimate and honest with yourself. There is nowhere to hide. During the process, if you happen to miss a day, then begin the process again from the beginning until you have completed the cycle. The commitment to the process is important. Give yourself permission to really FEEL what you are saying to yourself.
I have experimented over the years with recording these crafted affirmations, invocations, and mantra (in my own voice) , looping them, and layering them with my favorite relaxing music or nature sounds (with no lyrics). I set the volume of the affirmations just below the volume level of the music so that I am just barely able make out what is being said, hearing mostly the music. I would then play the layered recording continuously repeating all night long while I was sleeping to help program (or de-program) my subconscious mind. The results can be amazing if you are open to the process.
When reciting these affirmations aloud, a practiced method to keep your mind from being distracted trying to keep count is to use a string of japamala or rosary beads (usually found in a strand of 33 or 108 depending on where you get them). Prepare by counting off the appropriate number of repetitions on the beads and then begin by moving your finger to each consecutive bead as you complete one round of your phrase. Do this until you have completed the entire cycle of repetition and reach the end of your selected beads. When you get into the flow of your own internal rhythm, it becomes very meditative. It also helps to be consistent and to do the affirmations at the same time each day… It is highly effective to start your day with this practice as soon as you wake up, before your conscious mind is fully engaged.
Affirmations are crafted uniquely for each individual, depending on the issue you are working on… There are many variations that can be applied. Here are some basic ideas below:
“I accept abundance in all forms
from all channels of the universe
with infinite gratitude and love.”
…
“I give myself permission to be safe to feel
all of my feelings without judgment.”
…
“I accept love and support
from all channels of the universe.”
…
“I allow myself to be vulnerable
and to express the depths of my love.”
…
…
MANTRA:
Historically, there have been a lot of “rules” around the idea and use of mantra (depending on what religious tradition you are exploring). Entire organizations have been built around a spiritual teacher or a Guru giving you the personal initiation of a sacred mantra crafted specifically for your consciousness as a tool to discover Self. Some say it is only truly effective if it has to be given to you…
Unlike Invocations and affirmations, mantras are repeated continuously throughout your day, out loud and/or under your breath, and in your mind until they become a river of constant thought… When you observe that your mind is not doing the mantra the idea is to gently shift your attention back to the internal meditation. They are usually simple, powerful phrases meant to transform your consciousness.
It has been said that you become your mantra, and they function as a guide to find yourself and transcend any state of consciousness…and when the job of one mantra is complete, the next one will be revealed to you to…
They are not traditionally shared with anyone in order to preserve their integrity and power. It is a gift that you give yourself for yourself, and sharing it is said to dissipate the energy vortex that you are creating internally. There is something sacred and powerful about this kind of inner commitment and discipline.
I AM SAFE TO FEEL
…
REVEAL MYSELF TO ME.
…
I SURRENDER MYSELF TO LOVE.
…
I OPEN MYSELF TO DIVINE LOVE.
…
I AM A RADIANT BEING OF LOVE.
…
FOR THE GRACE OF GOD STAND I
…
I AM THAT I AM
Remember, these tools can be powerful methods to cultivate and deepen in Self -Love. You get out of it, what you put into it. It is true that you will still receive some benefits if you just “complete the homework” or “do the assignment” but the true transmutation and alchemy occurs with your sincere intention to devote yourself to and allow the process to unfold. There is a reason these tools have been used in ancient esoteric mystery schools since the dawn of spiritual practices…
As I always say… Do not take my word for it. Go on a treasure hunt. Be a miner, panning for gold. Take the nuggets that resonate with you and let go of what does not. I invite you to apply these tools into your own practices, into your own lives, and put them to the test for yourself.
Filter this information through your own heart and intuition and allow your personal experience to be your guide. At your core, you already know what works for you. It will become apparent as you follow that internal GPS system. These tools are intended to be an inspiration, a guide, and are they designed to point you in the direction of your own unfolding process of Self Realization…
Accept the invitation and enjoy the journey…into Self. It is the most profound adventure you will ever have.
