I want one. I’d like something to focus on while I do yoga, and something to calm me down when I get anxious or upset. But I also don’t want to feel like an idiot (like rubbing my earlobes and repeating “Woosah” a la Bad Boys II).
So, if you’ve got a mantra, let’s hear it.
I take mine from the movie Loose Shoes: You only need three things in life. Tight pussy, loose shoes and a warm place to shit.
Mine is straight from the master Steve Winwood: Roll with it.
The Bene Gesserit Litany Against Fear works well for me, though I’d not call it my mantra:
*
I must not fear.
Fear is the mind-killer.
Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration.
I will face my fear.
I will permit it to pass over me and through me.
And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path.
Where the fear has gone there will be nothing.
Only I will remain. *
Now where’s my bound concubine and Mentat assasin?
I used to use Joy, health, success
I like “Be the cicada.” There was another Dope thread where someone came up with it–the “if you were a murderer in a slash movie” thread.
You can’t change people. You can’t hit people. (repeat)
I also liked this one from the Bible so much, I had it tattooed on my leg (not the text, the chapter and verse notation)
Two, both lyrics from Cloud Cult.
*Where I’ve been, and where I am, is the show.
You can take it in stride, or you can take it right between the eyes.
Suck up, suck up and take your medicine,
It’s a good day, it’s a good day to face the hard things.*
I saw that, actually, that’s what made me think of this. I don’t know if it would work for me, though it is fun.
“I extend compassion to all fucking stupid sentient creatures” works well for me.
Mine is, “Don’t be such a big damn baby!”
It may sound harsh but it works, at least for me.
“May I be peaceful and at ease” works for me. From a Jack Kornfeld book, think it’s A Path With Heart.
I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra. I don’t need a mantra.
“Anything you can do, I can do better. I can do anything better than you.” I only use this one when I am on the tennis court though.
“This too, shall pass”
If things are bad, or even if they’re ridiculously good, it just reminds me to focus on the long term goals.
The skeptic’s prayer:
God if there is a God, save my soul if I have a soul, from Hell if there be a Hell.
Owah-tagu-siam
“Why not me?”
Not mine personally but heard it from an interview with a kid who is a self-made teenage millionaire. It’s a good one I thought.
I tried “They are doing the best they can” for a while. Didn’t quite pan out. I felt like I was lying to myself.
Oogah-chakah. Ooogah, oogah,oogah-chaka.