How to chant a mantra

You do not need to prepare much to begin. A quiet corner, a few minutes, and a mantra you feel drawn to are enough. Sit comfortably — on a cushion, a chair, or even the edge of your bed. Let your spine be upright but not tense. Rest your hands in your lap. Take three slow breaths to arrive. Begin the mantra. You can chant aloud, whisper it, or hold it silently in the mind. Each has its place. Aloud is grounding; whispered is intimate; silent is meditative. Beginners often chant aloud for the first few weeks, then move naturally to a softer register. Traditional practice uses a mala — a string of 108 beads — to count repetitions. Hold the mala in your right hand, move one bead with each repetition, and skip the guru bead when you reach it. If you don't have a mala, a simple timer works fine. Even five minutes is a real practice. There is no need to rush. The mantra will teach you its own rhythm.