“Day by day in every way, I am getting stronger and stronger.” Emile Cou

Affirmations and Mantras can be confusing. What are they and how do they work? What is the history of them? In this article, we’re going to learn all about mantras and Affirmations and how you can use them in your life.

What is a Mantra? What is an Affirmation?

A mantra is usually one word, like “Om”. It’s something that you say over and over again. An affirmation is more of a statement. In Western Culture, we use affirmations more and they are more personal development based. Affirmations are newer in history, where mantras have been used for thousands of years.

Mantras and Affirmations both work, and they both have their place. Mantras are usually used as part of a meditation practice. They are especially helpful to calm down and quiet your mind. Affirmations are more action oriented. When we repeat an affirmation, we are creating new patterns of thought, and letting go of negative beliefs and habits of behavior.

History

Emile Cou was one of the early pioneers in personal development. In the early 1900’s he created the “Day by day in every way…” affirmation.

A big part of Tony Robbin’s program is affirmation based. He developed an affirmation when he was alone, fat, and broke that has changed his life and the lives of many others: ““God’s wealth circulates in my life, it flows to me in avalanches of abundance. All my needs, desires and goals are met instantaneously, for I am one with God and he is everything!”

Choose your mantra or affirmation

Choose a mantra or affirmation. Mantra’s are normally used in meditations. They are more spiritual, to create a meditative state and connect to source. If you pick an affirmation, use it when you are moving. Verbalize it if possible, and you must put emotion and feelings into it.

When we say an affirmation, but we feel negative, we will attract more negative things. It is important to focus on positive emotions, even something like hope, so that you will begin to shift your momentum in a more positive direction.

Affirmations often use an “I am” format, like the affirmation from The Master Key System: “I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious, and happy.”

We always want to say the affirmation in the present tense (I am), even if we don’t have the material manifestation of what we are affirming. An important secret about affirmations is that we don’t need to believe the affirmation is true! Many times, it feels like a lie at first! We just need to be open to receiving the desired results… holding an attitude of hope for something better.

Memorize and Do Them Constantly

A belief is a thought that you continue to think. We’ve spent a lifetime creating our current beliefs! In essence, we are taking a negative belief, like “I’m never going to figure this out,” and replacing it with a positive belief: “I can do this, it’s easy for me.”

In the beginning, things may still feel very difficult, but every time we feel that emotion, or notice our negative thoughts, we calm down and remind ourselves of our NEW belief: “I can do this, it’s easy for me.” Soon, things are easier. Not long after that, our friends are noticing the shift… They start asking,”Can you help me, it seems like this is so easy for you!”

Have Patience

We have practiced our old habits of thought for a long, long, time. Those thoughts, attitudes, and beliefs have a certain amount of momentum. Those habits don’t stop suddenly and they definitely don’t make sharp turns! Changing a belief is like trying to put the emergency brakes on a long train… it takes miles to stop a speeding train!

Our new affirmation works like a railway switch, to gently and gradually start moving us in a new, more positive direction. As we focus our energy and attention onto deliberately changing our habits of thought, belief, attitudes and behavior, then we gradually get more and more positive momentum.

Remember, a belief is a thought we continue to think, so with focus, energy, desire, and attention, we can use affirmations and mantras to make our dreams come true.