Cosmic Mantra

How to Teach Cosmic Mantra

Here’s a bit of background to give to your students about the mantra:

The Cosmic Mantra, also known as the Navagraha Mantra or Nine Planets Mantra, is a powerful chant used in Hinduism and Vedic astrology to invoke the blessings and protection of the nine celestial bodies or Navagrahas. These celestial bodies are believed to have a significant influence on human life, and their energies can impact various aspects of an individual’s life, such as health, wealth, relationships, and overall well-being.

The Cosmic Mantra consists of nine seed syllables or bija mantras, each representing a celestial body:

Sum: Represents Surya (Sun)
Som: Represents Chandra (Moon)
Am: Represents Mangala (Mars)
Bum: Represents Budha (Mercury)
Gum: Represents Brihaspati (Jupiter)
Shum: Represents Shukra (Venus)
Sham: Represents Shani (Saturn)
Ram: Represents Rahu (North Lunar Node)
Kem: Represents Ketu (South Lunar Node)

Each seed syllable is associated with a specific energy, and chanting the Cosmic Mantra can help balance and harmonize these energies, bringing about positive effects in various aspects of life. By reciting the mantra, you can connect with the powerful energies of the celestial bodies and seek their blessings for overcoming challenges, achieving success, and finding inner peace.

In Vedic astrology, the positions of the Navagrahas in your birth chart are believed to have a profound impact on your life. Chanting the Cosmic Mantra is thought to help alleviate any negative effects of these celestial bodies and attract their positive energies.

Next up, is the pronunciation.

Cosmic Mantra Pronunciation

Here is the pronunciation for the mantra:

Sum: “soom”
Som: “sohm”
Am: “ahm”
Bum: “boom”
Gum: “goom”
Shum: “shoom”
Sham: “shahm”
Ram: “rahm”
Kem: “kem”

“soom sohm ahm boom goom shoom shahm rahm kem”

Let’s ensure you’re pronouncing it correctly:

“soom” rhymes with “room”
“sohm” has a long ‘o’ sound, like in “home”
“ahm” has a short ‘a’ sound, similar to “u” in “but” and “m” like in “mom”
“boom” rhymes with “room” “goom” rhymes with “zoom”
“shoom” has a “sh” sound followed by “oom” rhyming with “room”
“shahm” has a short ‘a’ sound, like in “mop” and “m” like in “mom”
“rahm” has a short ‘a’ sound, like in “mop” and “m” like in “mom”
“kem” rhymes with “gem”

“soom sohm ahm boom goom shoom shahm rahm kem”

Well done! Keep repeating it over and over again. Imagine you’re the famous singer of Mantras, Diva Premal, and sing the mantra (out loud or silently).

Next up, are several free yoga philosophy lesson plans.

Free Yoga Philosophy Lesson Plans

As a yoga teacher, you know that yoga is much more than just a physical practice. It is a holistic approach to health and well-being that includes mental, emotional, and spiritual elements.

One of the fundamental aspects of yoga is its philosophy, which provides a framework for understanding the nature of reality, the human condition, and the purpose of life.

However, teaching yoga philosophy can be challenging, especially if you want to make it engaging and accessible to your students.

In this blog post, I share ten creative yoga philosophy lesson plan ideas (including the Eight Limbs Of Yoga, Purusha, Prakriti, and The Yoga Sutras) that will help you bring this essential aspect of yoga to life in your classes.

Next up, are the benefits of chanting, repeating, or meditating upon a mantra.

10 Benefits of Practising Mantras

Mantras offer various physical, mental, and spiritual benefits, including:

Cultivate Concentration: Chanting mantras can help calm the mind, improve concentration, and sharpen focus, making it easier to stay present during meditation or daily activities.

Stress Reduction: Repeating mantras can help lower stress levels by inducing a relaxed state and calming the nervous system.

Self-awareness: Mantra meditation can promote greater self-awareness and introspection, helping you better understand your thoughts and emotions.

Emotional Healing: Chanting mantras can help release emotional blockages, facilitate emotional healing, and promote inner peace and balance.

Boosted Immune System: The vibrations created by chanting mantras can stimulate the release of hormones that boost the immune system, promoting overall health and well-being.

Increased energy levels: Mantra meditation can help balance and energize the body’s chakras, leading to increased vitality and energy levels.

Spiritual Growth: Mantras can help you connect with your inner self, fostering spiritual growth and deepening your spiritual practice.

Improved Communication: Chanting mantras can strengthen the vocal cords and improve speech clarity, making it easier to communicate effectively with others.

Positive Vibrations: Mantras create positive vibrations that can transform negative energy, cleanse the environment, and uplift the mood.

Enhanced Memory: Regular practice of mantra meditation can improve memory, cognitive function, and overall brain health.

Next up, are different ways to sit in Easy Pose (Sukhasana).

Easy Pose (Sukhasana) Modifications

Here are some modifications to make sitting in Easy Pose (Sukhasana) more comfortable:

Sit on a bolster, folded blanket, or block: Elevating the hips can help maintain the natural curve of the lower back, making it easier to sit upright and reducing strain on the hips and knees.

Place a folded blanket or cushion under the knees: If the knees are elevated higher than the hips, supporting them with a blanket or cushion can reduce tension in the hip flexors and groin area.

Adjust foot placement: If crossing the ankles is uncomfortable, try placing one foot in front of the other instead of fully crossing the legs.

Sit against a wall: For additional support and to help maintain proper posture, you can sit with your back against a wall.

Use a chair: If sitting on the floor is too challenging, you can sit on a chair with your feet flat on the ground and knees bent at a 90-degree angle. Place a cushion or folded blanket on the chair for even more comfort.

Take breaks: If sitting in Easy Pose becomes uncomfortable, take breaks to extend the legs or change the cross of the legs.