WORDS HAVE POWER

Have you ever noticed the phrases you repeat to yourself each day—quietly, almost without thinking? Whether it’s a sigh of “I can’t do this” or a gentle “I’ve got this,” those words carry energy. That’s the power of a mantra. In my own healing journey, I’ve learned how these simple, repeated phrases can reshape not just our mindset, but our entire way of being. Words have immense power.  Words can hurt or words can heal. Words can create worlds.  “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with GOD and the Word was GOD. Gospel of John 1: 9-13.

In yoga the word GOD does not denote a deity.  GOD is energy.  This energy Generates, Organizes and Destroys or Delivers – G.O.D. There is no religious connotation to it.

A sequence of “words” forms a mantra.  Mantra means “mind wave”.  Your “words” are being projected into the cosmos in the form of “sound” vibration.  I will go into this more in another musing on Mantras.  CLICK HERE to read more.

In every kundalini yoga class, we chant 2 mantras – one to begin the class and one to end the class. The mantra that tunes us all in is called the Adi Mantra: ONG NAMO GURU DEV NAMO.

This ancient yogic mantra allows the small s “self” to dissolve so you can tap into your big S Self to serve the flow of divine wisdom/energy. In plain English, this mantra creates a sacred circle for your practice to bring you into deeper alignment with your soul.  In a group practice it also supports the group into coming into the same frequency and alignment with oneself and with the group.

Here’s what each individual word means:

Ong is the creative, unmanifested energy of the cosmos 

Namo means to bow or to call on, with respect & receptivity

Guru is the wisdom/teacher; that which brings you from darkness/ignorance (Gu) into light/knowledge (Ru)

Dev is the divine, belonging to the realms of God

Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo therefore means I bow to the Guru (Wisdom) that brings me from darkness to the light.  I bow to my own inner teacher (Guru).

The mantra that we close the class with is SAT NAM.

These “words” are a “seed mantra” that awakens the soul and gives you your destiny. It is used as a greeting and can serves as a mantra to reinforce the divine consciousness in everyone. 

Sat is derived from “Satya”, meaning Truth or Real/the reality of one’s existence.

Naam means vibrational identity. What we vibrate, we become. 

In plain English Sat Nam is a reminder for us each time we utter it to live as our authentic Self, as your true self, your essence.  It can be translated as Truth is my Identity. Sat Nam is also a reminder of the cycle of life:

SA - Birth

TA – Life

NA – Death

MA – Rebirth

There is no need to memorize the meanings.  Words have power whether we are using them consciously or unconsciously.  As you progress in your journey home to your Authentic Self, you will naturally become more aware of the words you habitually use and their subconscious effects on your psyche, on their effects on your listeners and of the quality of your communication.  If you're feeling the pull to reconnect with your inner truth and speak to yourself more lovingly, I invite you to explore The Daily Reset, a free, guided meditation to help you begin each day with presence and peace. Or, when you’re ready for a deeper shift, The Self-Love Blueprint offers a transformative 40-day journey back to the heart of who you are.