Barbados Reiki Association

‘Speech is the essence of humanity’- so say the Vedas, an ancient Sanskrit know-how on metaphysics. Ideas remain unactualised until they are created through the power of speech. In the New Testament, the Gospel of St. John starts with ‘In the beginning was The Word. And the Word was with God and the Word was God’.

We wait with bated breath for our babies to say their first word – we know it as a huge milestone in their development. Have you not been enchanted with poetry and the elegance of how the words are put together – and then listened to it being spoken aloud? Our own George Lamming has a beautiful reading voice and to hear him speak his word is a thoroughly delightful experience.

Generically, mantra refers to sacred words or syllables used repeatedly in religious and ceremonial rituals.

When that word has a special meaning, as in Buddhist and classical Hinduism, it is known as a Mantra. These religions view mantras as necessary for spiritual advancement.

However, mantras are also common in Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In Catholicism there are the prayers as the Our Father and Hail Mary, especially when prayed as the Rosary. And Protestantism embodies the Our Father. The Old Testament refers to Yahweh which was considered so powerful a word that in ancient times only the High Priests would be able to articulate the word, and only on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the most sacred Jewish religious event. (Often Adonai and Elohim were substituted for Yahweh).

But what exactly is a mantra? The word “mantra” is derived from two Sanskrit words. (Sanskrit is an ancient language with very precise meanings to its words). The first is ‘Manas’ or ‘mind’. The second syllable comes from the word ‘trai’ meaning ‘to protect’ or ‘to free from’. Therefore, in its most literal sense, the word Mantra means to free from the mind. Mantras are thought to be charged with vibrational power and be able to help the practitioner achieve an altered state of consciousness. In such a state it is believed possible to perceive the true nature of the mind.

Some schools stress methodology in the use of mantras. For instance, the correct pronunciation and intonement is considered extremely important. Mantras can be used in three ways: silent, semi-verbal or verbal.

The verbal way is called chanting and is a marvelous opportunity to experience the effects of the mantra.

To summarise:
1. Mantras are energy-based sounds. Saying any word produces an actual physical vibration.
2. Mantras create thought-energy waves. Human consciousness is really a collection of states of consciousness which exist through the physical and subtle bodies. Over time, the mantra produces a state where the organism vibrates at a rate completely in tune with the energy and spiritual state represented by and contained in the mantra. At this point, a change also occurs in the organism.
3. Mantras are tools of power and tools for power. Using a mantra is a means to freedom from the random wanderings of the mind. Chanting a mantra allows the mind to deepen.

Try this chanting practice
Find a quiet place to sit and relax. Keep your mala handy. Use a traditional chant such as Om Shanti (I am a peaceful soul) or put yourself into the frame of mind you wish the mantra to achieve – let’s say Abundance. Think about the abundance in Nature, the almost-careless disregard for waste, the bounty of seeds that a tree produces, and then think about that shower around you. Start to say your mantra, using your mala (which will allow you to focus on the sound and words of your chant, rather than the counting). After you have finished the beads, or achieved the desired time you set out to chant, allow a moment of silence and notice the feelings in your body and your heightened senses.

Researched and written by Verity Dawson

Do you know what you want, even know how you can get it, but can’t seem to get on with it?

If you answered “yes” then you may need a coach.

Coaching is a relatively new profession – it has been around since the 70’s – and is only now gaining recognition as it has expanded rapidly in recent years. Initially only a few of the Fortune 500 companies used Executive Coaches to help their senior managers achieve their professional and personal goals. Over the years, Coaching has grown to the point where the profession is more and more niched. So you can get a life coach, a wellness coach, a retirement coach, a business coach, a coach for women in transition, just to name a few.

As in other areas, the Caribbean is trailing the world in this field, even though in the past three years I have met at least three life coaches.

One of the many things that a coach does is to help you move forward to achieve your goals and live the life you always dreamed of… A coach is a co-creative partner, who listens deeply, both to what is and is not said and uses this insight to help you develop and implement your own plan.

Coaches recognize your inner wisdom and through the co-creative process; draw it out and keep you accountable for achieving your targets, without making you feel guilty for not achieving them. A good coach is also an accountability partner, recognizing that each individual is fully responsible for her own life, yet keeping you accountable for all the things you decided you would do.

So maybe by now you are thinking that you have a friend who does that, why do I need to pay a coach? Well here are a few reasons to consider:-

• 1 – Coaches are confidential;
• 2 – Coaches are available when you need them;
• 3 – Coaches are professional;
• 4 – Coaches do not judge or condemn you.

There are several other reasons why you should consider hiring a coach.

Check us out here again and we can look at this topic further.

Melena Sealy-Simmons is a Consultant, Trainer, Business Coach and Mentor.

As solo-entrepreneurs we often find ourselves facing the dilemma of ’so much to do and so little time’. Occasionally, it can become overwhelming or worst, it can create paralysis. It is then that we need to take a time-out.

A time-out need not be long, it can be half an hour to an hour in some cases even less. The ideal time-out is something that each individual must determine. Some suggestions are – take a bagged lunch to the beach and look at the ants, crabs and other creepy crawlies. Enjoy their life for a moment. They have all they need, food, shelter, work and a community that supports them. Really enjoy it. Forget about yourself; look at how they deal with challenges. There is so much to learn.

Or, if the beach is not for you, look at the clouds. Try to remember what type of clouds your teacher said they were, or if that is too taxing, figure out the shapes. Is there a message in the sky for you – maybe there is a silver lining.

Still can’t do that, then say “hello” to a plant, it could be said aloud (if you dare), or silently. Talk to it as you would any living being. Appreciate its beauty.

Ok. So you can’t (or really don’t want to) leave your desk. Then look at a picture. You put it there to inspire you. Spend a moment, enjoy the memory or the day dream, but recognise it for what it is – a short time-out that gets you re-focused on your goal.

Another great way to take time out is to help someone. You can call a friend who is going through a difficult time and help him out.

Be deliberate when you take a time-out and fully enjoy the moment.

Why not share your favorite time out activities? Contact us: we would love to hear from you.

Melena Simmons is a marketing consultant, business coach and solo-entrepreneur.

Fear like pain is a wonderful gift and guide. They provide us with an opportunity to build our strength and learn to ask the right questions. So what is the right question when we are fearful? Simply, why am I afraid of this? What information do I need to help me overcome this fear? Often people perish for lack of knowledge.

Likewise pain causes you to focus on the point of its manifestation, not necessarily the source. So maybe we can ask why I am feeling pain in this area. And of course – What is the true source of this pain? Be open to the answers that come, they may not be what your logical mind will conclude but they will usually be right.

Contributed by Melena Simmons