Shine The Light – A Mantra for Children

Nov 21, 2016

During these uncertain times, Children may be feeling fearful and in need of a powerful practice to dispel dark feelings. Fear is a darkness and love is light.

 Jyoti is a Sanskrit word that refers to this light and is often translated as “brightness.”  Om Jyotir Aham is a mantra that means “I am the light.” To remove darkness when you walk into a room, you don't try to push it away or fight it; you simply turn on the light.  It works the same way in the mind.

Mantra is the repetition of a sacred sound. It’s an effective practice that's easy to use. It creates a positive groove in the mind just like worry creates a negative groove. This simple technique can increase feelings of love and dispell feelings of fear.

To practice this "Om Jyotir Aham" mantra, sit tall on a chair or cross-legged on the floor.  Take a moment to feel the breath.  Then say out loud, in a whisper or silently, “Om Jyotir Aham”.  Repeat this over and over again on each exhale.  This is a harmless practice that a child of any age can do.  Sing along together for 1-5 minutes.

If for whatever reason using a foreign language isn't a good fit for your situation, you can fall back on an old American gospel, “This Little Light of Mine”. There are many renditions of this uplifting tune. Children’s singer, Raffi, had a big hit with it in the 1980s. I like to play it on my ukulele.

Children feel empowered when they know how to do something for themselves to feel better. This mantra can remove the darkness and let the light of love shine as it also shines a light on others. To hear how it sounds, click here.

*As an Ohana member, you have access to a restorative heart opening practice featuring this mantra.  Not a member yet? Check it out for FREE for 15-days.