The Mantra Within

Choose a single sacred word that already lives in your heart. Om, Ram, Krishna, the name your family taught you for the divine. Sit comfortably, eyes closed, lips still. Let the word repeat itself in the mind, slowly, one repetition every breath or two. Do not think about its meaning. Just let the syllables move through awareness like a rope being slowly handed over. After some time, the word begins to chant itself, without any effort from you. Stay with that quiet self-repetition, and listen.