These mantras, from Hinduism and Buddhism, have been used for thousands of years by countless meditators to hone their minds and advance spiritually. Try them out!

One of the best possible things you can do with your time is to begin honing your most important instrument: Your mind. Mantras are an incredible tool for doing just that, that anybody can use.

To practice magick effectively, you need to sharpen your mind until you can achieve single-pointed consciousness. This skill underlies not only all successful magick but all success, period.

To that end, we will employ a mantra. Mantras are short, sacred sentences that have been designed to silence your mind. Try one of the following three mantras:

Om Namah Shivaya

Adoration to Shiva, a Hindu name for God.

Om Mani Padme Hum

A Buddhist mantra meaning “Hail to the jewel in the lotus,” the enlightened consciousness within all beings.

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu

Another Hindu mantra, meaning “May all beings in all worlds be happy and free.”

Any of these mantras will both focus your mind and align your thoughts with the highest good in the universe, calming you and instilling a sense of spiritual connection.

How to practice Mantras

1. Spend five minutes sitting in a comfortable position (cross legged on floor is good) saying a mantra out loud.
2. Spend five minutes repeating a mantra in your head silently. See if the feeing differs. Closely note any changes in consciousness.
3. Extend the period of time you meditate on mantras: 10 minutes, 20, 30 or more. See if you can continue repeating a mantra in your head while going about your day.

Now You’re Ready to Take the Next Step

Now that you’ve learned about quieting the mind with mantras, you’re ready to take the next step and start practicing serious meditation and ritual.

With just a few basic tools and techniques, you’ll be able to achieve mastery of your mind and therefore your life, achieving a level of calm, meditation and focus that few human beings ever do.

What could you do, what could you achieve with this level of self-mastery?

The answer, of course, is anything.