What inspired me to write this post!!... My 4 year old…in the middle of home schooling I was beginning to lose my patience, I think he sensed my frustration.. and turned around and said, “Relax mumma… Shanti Shanti” and giggled with his cheeky smile which just made all my frustrations disappear.
Shanti is a Sanskrit term meaning "peace." In Hindu practices, also in Buddhist and Jain practices. Shanti is often chanted three times to represent threefold peace in body, mind and spirit. It’s a beautiful meaning and also a very beautiful sound.
In Hinduism, Om Shanti is commonly used as a form of greeting, much in the same way that Namaste is used. In this sense, Om Shanti can be translated as "peace be with you.’"
The threefold Om Shanti Shanti Shanti mantra is the most common, in which each repetition of Shanti is thought to have a unique meaning and use:
- The first chant of shanti is a means of cleansing and purifying the body of suffering.
- The second is used to relieve the mind of negative feelings and worries.
- The third touches the soul or spirit of the individual in order to connect them with their higher self.
Chanting the Shanti mantra can help to relieve stress, withdraw the senses, spark deep relaxation and calm or focus the mind. As such, it is particularly useful in preparation for meditation, but it may also help to cultivate inner peace within the person chanting the mantra.
In meditation and yoga practice, Om Shanti can also be used as a mantra in order to develop concentration and focus of the mind.(Ref: yogapedia)
