Mantra comes from one of the oldest languages in the world. It is a Sanskrit word, that means “vehicle of the mind”and people commonly call them affirmations.

That sounds pretty cool, vehicle of the mind. Think of it as words or sounds that you would repeat to aid your concentration by quieting your mind while meditating.

When we repetitively focus on our mantra, it helps to block out other thoughts temporarily. This allows our minds to slow down, even if only for a moment or two.

“Mantra is a powerful combination of words which, if recited, takes the vibratory effect of each of your molecules into the Infinity of the Cosmos.” – Yogi Bhajan

I get that not everyone is into meditation, but a Mantra can help us in other ways too. It can help us to impress our subconscious minds with new beliefs; to oust and replace beliefs we’ve identified that don’t serve us.

As said earlie Mantra can be another word for “affirmation” or “incantation”, but I like using a derivative. An “I Can Tation” is expressed with emotional energy, intensity, and conviction.

An I Can Tation

I Can Tations have helped thousands of people make significant changes in their lives. I want you to think of them as statements said with absolute confidence about a perceived truth.

They work because of their ability to program your mind into believing the concept you stated.

The mind doesn’t know the difference between what is imagined, real, or remembered. You experience the same emotional and physiological responses whichever of the three we experience.

The words composing the affirmation, automatically and involuntarily, bring up related mental images into the mind, which could inspire, energise and motivate.

Repeating affirmations, and the resultant mental images, affect the subconscious mind, which in turn, influences the behaviour, habits, and reactions.

What I Can Tations Do

They motivate us and keep our mind focused on the goal.
They influence the subconscious mind and change the way you think and behave, and this can bring you into contact with new people, who can help you with your goals.

You can add more muscle to an I Can Tation, so it has the power to triumph over negative thinking. Here is how to make them work for you.

Step 1:

Make a list of what you consider to be your negative qualities. And make sure you include any criticism others have made of you. The stuff that you’ve been holding onto for far too long.

Now is not the time to judge if they’re accurate. Just make a note of them and look for a common theme, such as “I am not good enough.”

What a great place to start making a shift in your life.

Step 2:

Write out an I Can Tation on the positive aspect of your self-judgment. I have to use a thesaurus to find more impactful words to beef up my I Can Tations.

Phrase it in the positive and present. For example instead of saying, “I’m not good enough.” You could say, “I am valued and remarkable.”

When you tell yourself you are discarding negative behaviours and thoughts, you focus will be on those negatives.

Now is the time to focus on what you want to do and be. It is best to avoid words like “don’t,” “won’t,” “am not,” “can’t,” “not,” “doesn’t,” or “am stopping.”

Instead of “I’m eliminating my negative thoughts,” create an affirmation such as, “I am happy being who I am. I am me.”

And positive statements make you feel active, energetic and focused. Therefore, they put you in a better position to transform your inner and external worlds.

Keep it as short and simple as possible but no shorter. This makes affirmations easier to remember. Affirmations of four or five words can be massively powerful.

Focus on your desired future outcome and word it in a way that resonates deeply with your inner desires.

Doubts Get In The Way

This is a great time to check that you really want what you are affirming. So ask yourself if you have doubts about what you want.

Your doubts will get in your way unless you are definite that you want it. This is undoubtedly one of the reasons why people don’t get results, and then lose their belief in the power of I Can Tations.

The mind will naturally bring up doubts and negative thoughts. Especially if your current situation or environment is very different from what you want to achieve. Stick with it, and never allow your negative thoughts and doubts conquer you.

If you don’t believe your statement, you’ll take timid actions and be hesitant, sure that you won’t be able to succeed.

If you write an affirmation that is truly difficult for you to believe, write another one that starts with, “I am open to . . .” or “I am willing to believe I could . . .”

I tend to keep my I Can Tations private, but it may help to seek out a friend’s help. Ask them to read it to see if they have any suggestions to make it more powerful.

Step 3:

You might want to find some alone time for this. Say your I Can Tation out loud with confidence and certainty for at least two minutes three times a day.

It is vital to devote some particular times during the day for repeating them. I found an excellent time to do this is when you are getting ready in the morning.

So you can look at yourself in the mirror as you repeat your I Can Tation.

And you can repeat them wherever you are, and whenever you want and have the time.

Remember to affirm with feeling, love, and intensity. And believe and feel that your desire has already been fulfilled. This kind of thinking increases the effectiveness of your I Can Tation.

Repetition

Repeating a mantra out loud works better than repeating it inside your head, but both ways still work. What a relief! It is still possible to use the power of mantra within earshot of others without appearing like a total nutjob.

“I know what it’s like to feel that fear and the need of affirmation and appreciation. To build confidence in yourself is the toughest thing.” – Shakira

I like to write it out several times on post-it notes or in a notebook. This helps to reinforce the new belief.

Mantras are personal, and there is an infinite selection of words and phrases that can help to shift our vibration in any given moment. Whenever inner turmoil strikes, choose a mantra to soothe and counteract and repeat, repeat, repeat.

A good mantra is one that just feels right. But there are a few tried and tested that, while simple and ubiquitous, can work for almost anyone.

Following are a few of my favourites:
“I am more powerful than I realise.”
“I am loving, lovable and loved.”

It’s important not to be too precious with our mantras. If none of the above resonates, play around with phrases until you find what works for you.

The Happiness Affirmations:

I am letting happiness manifest in my life.
I am grateful for all the good in my life.
Happiness always seeks me.
I am developing the habit of happiness.

The Health Affirmations:

All of my body’s systems are functioning perfectly.
Every cell of my body vibrates with the healing energy of health.
The Universe heals my body and mind with its energy.
Day by day I get stronger.

The Success Affirmations:

I am worthy.
Success always seeks me.
Success flows into my life.
The Universe helps me achieve my goals.

The Wealth Affirmations:

Wealth flows into my life.
Every day I get more and more money.
I am a magnet for wealth.
I now earn what I am worth.

“The words ‘I am’, which you consistently use to define who you are and what you are capable of, are holy expressions for the name of God . The highest aspect of yourself.” – Wayne Dyer

Add emotion to your affirmations by inserting, “I am [emotion] about . . .” or “I feel [emotion].” For example, you could say, “I am excited about being able to express what I think.”

So, use these words with conscious care. They can change your life and help you rock your universe.

If you have some favourite “I can tations” or affirmations of your own, please share in the comments below.