The Power of a Parent's Words — A Slower Kind of Life

This post is part of a series on Essential Skills for New Parents: How yoga practices can help you parent with peace and presence.

Our dog died when my son was just over two years old. We asked our vet, a mother of five, what we should tell him. She told us that to a child that age, the parent’s word was law. Whatever we say, he will accept and believe. She was right. As a parent, your words have an awesome power. You can use them skillfully or not.

“Mantra” is a Sanskrit word that refers to the utterance of words or sounds that have sacred power. The practice of reciting, chanting, singing, and writing mantra has been used for thousands of years. Sacred Mantra practice involves chanting (singing) or speaking a sound, word, name, or phrase repeatedly for a set amount of time or a set number of repetitions.

Mantras are sacred words, but all words have power. The practice of Mantra points to the creative power of words. All speech can become a sacred utterance with the power to create, especially the ones you use often. The word mantra is also commonly used to mean a phrase you repeat often to yourself as motivation or focus. Learning the power of mantra means learning and using the power of your words. You can harness the power of everyday speech by becoming aware of your speech and using it wisely.

Become aware of your words. What do you repeat often? What messages are you giving? What are you creating?

When your child starts to talk, you will learn which words and phrases you repeat often. Once you hear your own words coming out of their little mouth, you will quickly be able to evaluate whether you want to continue using those words or not.

How to Practice Mantra:

Recite a mantra for a set number of repetitions or minutes per day. Say, chant or sing silently or out loud. There are many words and phrases that you can use for a mantra practice:

1. Sacred Mantras used in the Yasodhara Yoga tradition include:

· Hari Om: Healing

· Om Tara: compassion

· Om Krishna Guru: Wisdom

· Om Namah Sivaya: Removing obstacles

These can be learned by consulting a Yasodhara Yoga teacher or through the sound recording: Mantras by Swami Radha.

3. Prayer

· Ho opoono Hawaiian Forgiveness Prayer: “I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I love you. I thank you.”

4. Part of a song or hymn

· “I am love. I am light. I am joy.”

5. Affirmation or comforting phrase

· I am a good parent.

· I am doing the best I can.

· It’s ok.

· I’m doing just fine.

6. Simple phrase

· Thank you.

· I love you.

This post is part of a Series:

Essential Skills for New Parents: How yoga practices can help you parent with peace and presence.

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I am working on a book on the same topic to compile all the practices with further information and make it available as an easy reference for new and expecting parents. Please subscribe to my newsletter in the blue box below if you want to be sure to get the book.

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