Om Mani Padme Hum is the mantra of Avalokitesvara,
Buddha of compassion,
And is also associated with Kuan Yin,
The goddess of love and mercy.
Chanting this mantra brings calm,
Healing,
Stillness,
And also allows for an incredible opening of the heart chakra.
The heart chakra is near the physical heart at the centre of the chest.
In Sanskrit the name for this chakra is Anahat,
Which means unhurt,
Unbeaten and unstruck.
It is unhurt because it is boundless.
If there is no sense of separation,
If it can hold everything and every being,
Then what can hurt it?
And so with this mantra we connect to this boundlessness.
Let's begin by tuning into the breath.
Find a comfortable and preferably seated position.
See that the spine is long and feels balanced.
Soften your jaw,
Your eyes,
And the eyebrow centre.
Exhale all the old air from the body.
Take a nice deep breath in and exhale with the sigh.
Inhale and let go.
Take two more breaths at your own pace.
The literal meaning of Om Mani Padme Hum is,
The divine jewel is within my lotus heart.
Like a jewel in material world alleviates poverty.
The jewel of an awakened and boundless heart alleviates the suffering we experience as human beings.
And Padme,
Lotus flower,
Symbolises this rising above.
Flower can be chanted out loud,
Quietly or even mentally.
Let's begin.
Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Om Mani Padme Hum Bring the palms of the hands together in front of the heart.
Let the sides of the hand remain pressed while opening the first,
Middle and the ring finger as though your palms were petals of a blossoming lotus flower.
Holding this mudra,
You can repeat after me.
Like the lotus that derives nourishment from mud and murky waters,
I open myself to all of life's experiences and allow them to help me grow.
I accept what is.
I let go of what doesn't serve me.
I forgive easily and I love unconditionally.
Thank you for your practice today.
Remember that this boundless heart is always within.
