"Prayer is the breath of the soul, the life-energy of the spirit. It is the story of the interplay between God and me. It is the link between the inner and the outer life. It has its own rhythm. It is its own reality. There is no formula for it beyond the need to nourish it with both words and silence.”

~Joan Chittister, The Breath of the Soul

A helpful tool in breath prayers is using a mantra. A mantra is a simple phrase included in your prayer and meditation that acts as a centering (or re-centering) guidepost. I have found the meaning of a mantra to be very helpful in my breath prayers. Generally, you think one part of the mantra on your inhale and another on the exhale, repeating this phrase throughout your practice.

 

In this week’s video, I talk about mantras and lead you through a guided breath prayer using the mantra "Jesus in – fear out."

 

When considering a mantra to use with your breath prayer, I think two features are important. 

1.) It should be short, so that it fits into the time you would take an inhale or exhale. If it gets too wordy, or too many syllables – it just becomes difficult to match it to your breath. 

2.) It should be meaningful for you. It should turn you back to God or remind you of God’s work in your life and the world.

 

Several Breathing Through Lent participants have shared mantras they have used with me…

 

Jesus in – Love out

Walk – with Jesus

Choose – the light

All is well – with my soul

I surrender – I am peace

All I have – all I need

Right here – right now

Serenity – now

 

Consider trying using a suggested mantra here this week in your Breathing Through Lent prayer practices. Or, better yet, come up with your own. Feel free to share any you come up with and I’ll pass those ideas along to others on this prayer journey with us.

 

God is right here. Right Now.

May your breath be prayer and your prayer be breath,