Be aware of the many benefits of chanting “om” including: creating positive vibrations, purifying the environment around you, allowing you to get into a deeper meditative state, improving concentration, removing toxins from your body, relaxing your body and mind, decreasing your heart rate, increasing happiness. Lengthen it to chant “om mani padme hum. ” Either of these universal invocations can create powerful and positive vibrations in your lower belly.
Chway to expel heat Hoo to expel cold Shee to relieve tension Her to release tension Hsü to eliminate general illness Sss to regain equilibrium.
Say San Ching Jiao Tzu Wu Liang Tien Tzun once you’ve settled into a comfortable seat and begun your chant.
Consider chanting Huh Yu Woh Tong Cheung for health and longevity as well. This simple invocation means “may the life of the universe live forever with me. ”[4] X Research source
Say Yu Huang She Zui Tian Zun to offer your praise to the Jade Emperor.
Try chanting Chiu Tien, Yen Yuan, Rei Sheng, Pu Hua, Tien Tsun to calm yourself, too. You can also use this chant to put a troubled spirit back in order. [5] X Research source
Find a space without a lot of light so that you don’t get overstimulated or overheated. Make sure the space is exposed to a lot of outside noises quiet so that you can focus.
Image or statue of the Deity you hold sacred Representations of the Three Purities Statue of guardian for deities Incense burner placed centrally in front of the images Offering cups of water, rice, and tea Candles in colors such as red, orange, or white that symbolize the sun and moon Brass bell to ring 9 times before chanting
Remove your shoes Avoid reclining with your feet pointed towards the altar Speak in soft and calm tones Avoid allowing animals or anyone who wouldn’t respect the altar around it
Look for robes that have the Three Purities, Lao-Tzu, and Jade Emperor on them. These symbols may also be a part of your chosen chant, and having them together on your body and in your heart may magnify the benefits of your chanting. Put on comfortable and loose clothing in natural fabrics if you don’t have a robe. Wearing this type of clothing can help you stay focused on your chants.
Sit crossed-legged on the floor in a half-lotus position. Your butt should be elevated with a blanket or a pad. If you aren’t able to sit cross-legged, you can sit upright on a low stool or chair with your feet parallel and shoulder width apart. Place your hands lightly on each of your thighs for balancing your chi. You can also lightly stretch out your palms and then place one on top of the other, interlacing your thumbs.
Recognize that it may take some practice to not control your breath, but learning to let it go, calling stopping and observing, is a key part of Taoist chanting. The more you chant, the easier this will get.
Light some incense before you start if you like. Inhale and then say your chosen chant as you exhale. Feel how the words vibrate in your lower belly. Try sitting up straighter if you can’t feel this. [11] X Research source Allow your thoughts to arise and then leave in the same way. Holding on to any thoughts can keep you from having an effective chanting practice. Remember that you’re likely chanting in another language and that perfect pronunciation isn’t important. You’re doing this for your overall well-being and worrying about pronunciation while you chant may keep you from meeting your intention. Recognize that you can chant out loud or silently to yourself. It may sound strange at first to hear yourself chant, but you can get used to it as time passes. Allow your body and mind to flow with what they want. You may want to chant out loud sometimes while other times you may want to silently recite the invocations to yourself.
Consider chanting in the mornings and evenings to help build your stamina. Allow yourself to concentrate on lingering vibrations from your chanting. [12] X Research source Remember that meditative chanting takes consistent practice. You may have great days with long chanting sessions and bad days on which you can’t focus at all. Accepting this is part of the journey.
Realize that chanting and meditation have many health benefits such as lowering your blood pressure and heart rate, decreasing depression and anxiety, reducing stress, and promoting relaxation and feelings of overall well-being. Taoist meditation and chanting can also bring spiritual benefits such as teaching you to let go of things you can’t control. [13] X Research source
Place your palms lightly together, gently resting your fingertips on the opposite hand. Leave a small space between your palms to allow energy, or chi, to flow. Then bow your chin towards your chest. Remember that your mantra can be as simple as “letting go of what I can’t control. ”
