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Consider developing your own gathas for your own specific needs. Let your creativity flow as you do this. You can also write gathas for a friend who is hurting or sick. For example, should you have a friend who is facing a life-threatening illness, you might offer your friend a gatha that could be used at the beginning of each day: "This new day is a precious gift. I have the opportunity to live this day in a way that will bring, peace, joy and contentment to myself and to everyone I encounter."
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds
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Unlike a mantra, which is always the same, gathas can be as different as the need or issue before you. Other ways to use gathas can include common daily events such as:
- Eating: "I am grateful for this meal and will consume it mindfully, appreciatively."
- Exercising: "I am grateful for the gift of my body. I will treat it with respect, giving it the activity it needs to remain healthy and strong."
- Listening: "My friend needs me to hear him/her. I remain open, receptive and nonjudgmental."
- Working: "My work allows me to feed, shelter and clothe myself and my family. I am thankful and will offer my best on the job."
- Driving: "As I commute and drive, I do so with care and compassion for others on the road."
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds
- Eating: "I am grateful for this meal and will consume it mindfully, appreciatively."
- Exercising: "I am grateful for the gift of my body. I will treat it with respect, giving it the activity it needs to remain healthy and strong."
- Listening: "My friend needs me to hear him/her. I remain open, receptive and nonjudgmental."
- Working: "My work allows me to feed, shelter and clothe myself and my family. I am thankful and will offer my best on the job."
- Driving: "As I commute and drive, I do so with care and compassion for others on the road."
-Victor M Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds
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The word gatha refers to a short statement that can be recited during the day in order to better focus the mind. In Buddhist communities, a gatha is often a short verse from their sutras (scriptures). . . . However, a gatha does not need to come from a sacred scripture. . . . You can write your own to meet your own specific needs and situations. . . .
- When feeling anxious, breathe in and say "Calmness in." As you exhale, say "Anxiety out." Repeat the phrase, combined with your breath, as many times as necessary. . . .
- When feeling fear, breathe in, saying "Courage in." As you exhale, say "Fear out." . . .
- When feeling stressed, follow the same pattern with your breath: "Peace in; stress out."
-Victor Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds
- When feeling anxious, breathe in and say "Calmness in." As you exhale, say "Anxiety out." Repeat the phrase, combined with your breath, as many times as necessary. . . .
- When feeling fear, breathe in, saying "Courage in." As you exhale, say "Fear out." . . .
- When feeling stressed, follow the same pattern with your breath: "Peace in; stress out."
-Victor Parachin, Eastern Wisdom for Western Minds