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Writer's pictureEmma Brash

What happened when I committed to mantra meditation for 21 days (chanting)



A mantra is a syllable, word or phrase that is repeated during meditation and can be spoken, chanted, whispered or repeated in the mind. The word mantra means ‘to protect the mind’.


These are the chants:

  • Root Chakra Mantra – LAM Chanting Meditation

  • Sacral Chakra Mantra – VAM Chanting Meditation

  • Solar Plexus Chakra Mantra – RAMM Chanting Meditation

  • Heart Chakra Mantra – YAM Chanting Meditation

  • Throat Chakra Mantra – HAM Chanting Meditation

  • Third Eye Chakra Mantra – OM Chanting Meditation

  • Crown Chakra Mantra – AH Chanting Meditation


Most of the a's are actually pronounced as u's - so LAM becomes LUM (FYI). These chants are supported by hand gestures called ‘Mudras’ which help channel the energy in your body.

When the chants and mudras are used with focus on the specific chakra they refer to, these mantras and vibrations help evoke the emotions that come with that specific chakra, so that we can experience them freely and letting them go. There is a lot of scientific evidence to suggest that mantras can affect your mind and decrease anxiety.


I worked with a multi-dimensional guide who recommended I try chanting for 21 consecutive days (the time it takes to build a habit). She felt strongly that committing to this practice on a daily basis will open up something new to me. Sound medicine is an amazing way to attune to your own frequency through vibrations. Humming has the potency to clear my energetic field, move some stagnant energy and activate all the chakras so that I have greater access to my Life force, Eros, and Divine Creativity.

I weren’t too sure what to expect, but as with most things, I was open to it. Meditation doesn’t come naturally to me, as much as I want it to, so I figured that it’s worth a try to see if something like this helps me cultivate a practice. The chanting meditation I used was this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hh34UPzocxs



Here’s how it went:


Day 1 - It felt unnatural and I felt silly. I was paying to much attention to how my words sounded - too much in my own head about how I sound. But I could start to understand how the vibrations from my own sounds could start to move some energy. I’m excited to commit to it, but I know I have to do it when I’m home alone.


Day 2 - I dropped the mudras as they felt uncomfortable and I found they distracted me from focusing on the chanting. Lets nail the chanting first. Instead I’m going to focus my attention on the area of each chakra that I’m clearing.

Day 3 - Still feels unnatural, still feel silly. But I used incense during the meditation (myrrh is my favourite to meditate with) and that helped me get into it a bit more.

Day 4 - My partner came home as I was clearing my final chakra so I stopped. I don’t feel ready for people to hear me.


Day 5 - Too hungover to focus on chanting and then didn’t have time in the evening. I didn’t want to miss a day but sometimes life gets in the way.


Day 6 - I still don’t feel huge benefits from it, but I understand it takes a while for things to work and take effect and I’m dedicated to 21 days. Someone recommended this to me for a reason and I’m going to commit.

Day 7 - I chanted with Myrrh incense again and I must admit today is the first day I feel more relaxed and lighter afterwards. Almost as if some channels have been cleared. It’s not a strong sensation, but it’s certainly there. Perhaps I’m making progress.


Day 8 - I missed it today - I didn’t get any time in the house alone.


Day 9 - Back to it. My mind kept wandering throughout, but I guess I do feel calm now. Not that I didn’t beforehand either. I think it does make a difference having a scent in the room whilst chanting. Today I didn’t and I feel like I don’t focus as much. But I don’t want to rely on scents to transport me either.

Day 10 - I missed it again. I need to just get comfortable with my partner potentially hearing me.


Day 11 - My mind still wanders and I keep questioning when I will feel the benefits. Then I have to tell myself to snap out of that way of thinking. It’s called a practice and I can’t expect results overnight. We so often quit things too soon because we don’t see results, but then we never reach the good stuff. I’m committing to this practice, and letting go of trying to control an outcome.

Day 12 - I actually feel really zen after that, almost in a dream like state. I also don’t feel as silly chanting anymore, it’s starting to feel more normal.


Day 13 - I had some creative ideas come to me whilst chanting. Not sure if this is the point or not as I think you’re meant to not let your thoughts wander, but regardless I think it’s a good thing.

Day 14 - It’s forming part of my daily routine now. I feel like I need to do it. I also had a thought about my expectations to feel something straight away. What if I’m chipping away at my energy blocks, and therefore it’s going to take a while to feel the rush of energy through me. Ego, conditioning, trauma… it’s all going to leave a mark and one chanting meditation isn’t going to clear it all. I’m staying patient.

Day 15 - There is a level of zen that’s starting to come with the meditation. I feel clearer and calmer afterwards, even though my mind still wanders throughout.


Day 16 - I felt something different today, what I can only describe as my energy field. It wasn’t strong, but I felt a sense of there’s more to me than my physical body. Let’s see if this feeling gets stronger as the days go on.

Day 17 - Mind wandered a lot, but I must admit I am starting to always feel lighter afterwards.


Day 18 - Feel so relaxed after that. I normally do my chanting in the morning but today I did it a 4pm and I feel like it’s really calmed me down after quite a busy day. Also those breaths I take in between different chakras are probably the most relaxing, nourishing breaths I’ve ever taken. They feel so good!


Day 19 - I don’t really feel much from todays session. I feel like my mind wandered a lot. Although I guess my whole body does just feel light now.


Day 20 - At my partners parents house and they would think I was crazy if they heard me chanting. Bit gutted I had to miss it though.


Day 21 - I feel relaxed and peaceful, which seems to be the main benefit I’ve felt throughout. Again today I felt the lines between my physical body and the space around me blur. It’s hard to describe - maybe a slight weightlessness to my being.


My verdict:


I haven’t reached the end of these 21 days a new person. I haven’t found a miracle practice that has opened me up to new dimensions and new levels of consciousness. But I am actually starting to believe there is something to it. 21 days isn’t a long time, and I think it would be silly of me to expect huge shifts in such a small space of time. As with all the healing work I’ve done, it’s taken months if not years for some of the benefits to become known to me. And that’s why I’m practicing patience with this one and letting go of expectations. I am feeling calmer and more open after chanting, and it does feel like it’s now part of my daily routine - 20 minutes of stillness.


Some of my energetic blocks will have been there for years, it’s going to take time. But I’m now committed to this practice and I’m going to keep going because I believe in breakthroughs when we least expect them. It’s teaching me to let go of expectations and trust in the process.


I can’t sit here and preach that everyone must try it because it’s life changing, because at the moment I’ve not felt that. But it is a great mindfulness tool, and who knows, I might come back in a few months time and have felt even more benefits. We’ve all got to find the thing that works for us. Just stay curious and open!

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