Mantras are found not solely in Buddhism but in Hinduism and other Eastern religions such as Sufism as well. Mantras are said to be protectors of the mind. Affirmations and their use have become very popular in the West, having grown out of the late nineteenth-century metaphysical movement. An example is, “Every day and in every way I am getting better and better.” Over the years that particular affirmation has been altered to say, for example, “healthier and healthier,” or “stronger and stronger.” Now they are popular in mainstream America as a spiritual tool, as well as a tool to better performance in athletic pursuits and increasing self-esteem, to name two uses.

An affirmation acknowledges the truth in us. Said Charles Fillmore, cofounder of the Unity movement, “When we affirm, it is to hold steadfast in mind or speak aloud a statement of truth.” We don’t make the statement true by affirming it over and over again. We affirm it over and over again because it is true. The repetition is about steadfastly establishing it in our minds.

The key word here is “steadfast,” when life appears to be going to hell in a handbasket. One holds steadfast to the truth of his or her being. This is connecting with the inner essence that is never altered by circumstances. We hold steadfast and do not waver, because when we waver we get wavering results. We remain “strong like a tree.”

This establishes in our own consciousness the truth. We do not, cannot, make something true by affirming. But by affirming we are calling forth that within us which is already the truth. Affirmations are the “yes” action of the mind. They lift us out of false thinking into the consciousness of spirituality. In a like manner, a mantra clears the mind of monkey-mind chatter so that the clear mind of truth is available. Deeper knowings and truths then naturally rise into this consciousness.

Science says we can only focus on one thought in any given moment.

As I wrote these words in Hawaii, my husband rushed into the room and said, “Sorry to disturb you, but you must look out the side window.” When I looked I saw in all its perfection the full arch of a bright and clear rainbow, all its seven colors delineated. In Hawaii we see many rainbows, and I am so grateful each time that each one holds wonderment and appreciation for me. A rainbow is a visual affirmation of hope of the innate rightness of our world. A bow in the sky is a promise of God’s eternal presence.

When we chant a mantra or declare an affirmation, we bring our minds to one-pointedness. One point of focus clears the mind of all the extraneous contaminates. The chatter ceases, and we can pause and exhale and feel peace and calm. I have become quite committed to using mala beads and repeating a mantra the suggested 108 times. One favorite is “Om, Madna, Padna, Hum,” which truly clears my mind. If I am feeling troubled or disturbed, I hold the prayer “I seek refuge in the Buddha, dharma and sangha” in my mind. To make it less Buddhist and still engage the same potency, I say, “I seek refuge in the Christ [or God], the spiritual law and my spiritual community.” Gandhi’s constant mantra for more than forty years was “Rama, Rama, Rama” (God, God, God). These were the final words on his lips as his life force slipped away.

Mantras definitely clear out the mental confusion and return one to one’s center. Tibetan monks chant particular mantras, often a sutra, so that their minds do not drop into mental sinking. We in the West affirm, so that our minds do not drop into negative thinking, which is our way of saying mental sinking. This prevents our minds from dropping into the Five Aggregates.

A sutra can be likened to a beautiful prayer that, when chanted over years, can bring enlightenment. When a group of monks chant a beautiful sutra, they really are, we could say, affirming the truth of that sutra in their lives and in the lives of all sentient beings. For this is how they pray, always including all others.

When I feel stressed, a favorite affirmation of mine is, “I abide in the light and joy and peace of God.” This is the truth, and when I feel stressed I affirm it often. Let’s suppose you are having a really difficult day, one filled with stress and upsets. Instead of declaring “I am stressed” over and over, simply affirm, “I abide in light and joy and peace” over and over. Repeating this will create a shift in consciousness and in your perceptions and experience. Your focus has shifted from the stress to the inner truth of your being, which is light and joy and peace.

We can see the similarities found in the two seemingly different paths. When we look deeply, we can see the common vein of truth running through various spiritual teachings. Of course there are differences in the language and the practice, but the nugget of truth within both is identical.

One of my favorite affirmations that my husband and I have practiced throughout the years is “I love you, God,” affirming our love for God, our connection with God. It stills the chatter and reconnects us at any moment we choose to focus on the Divine.

A frequently chanted sutra from the Heart of Wisdom Sutra is:

This sutra is something the Buddhists focus on extensively. I used to not have a clue as to what it meant. Form can be defined as anything in this world of appearance, everything that is impermanent: your clothing, the chair upon which you sit, the table, the floor, the house, the door, etc. The Buddhists tell themselves this and retell it constantly in order to fully come to an understanding that form is empty, empty of any intrinsic meaning. Buddhism suggests you not invest your life or your treasures here, because it is empty.

When an experience feels empty for you, check this out. Have you not attempted to fill it with form, and the whole situation came up lacking? It is empty of inherent meaning. It does not mean anything. On this earth plane we can get so easily confused when we think we are our possessions, our degrees, our lifestyle, our careers, our wealth. The Buddhists keep saying they are all empty. Don’t be tricked. Form is emptiness. Flip it over and Emptiness is form. They are the same.

Anything that does not endure forever is empty. How incredibly freeing this sutra has been for me. It has enabled me to shift my relationship to things. I am not an ascetic in this lifetime, nor have I any desire to be one. I enjoy beauty and creature comforts, but I know from the depths of my being that they do not define me. I have learned in the letting go of my attachments has come the greater and easier flow of blessings and miracles in my life.

Here is a recent example from my life. We had lived in our Ohio residence, a condo on Lake Erie, for fourteen years. My husband, David, said he had a “less than zero desire to move.” On the other hand, I had wanted to move and have a home and garden for several years. Then we purchased a second residence in Hawaii. Well, I got my home, even if it was six thousand miles away. I simply let go of the thought of moving. Form is Emptiness. Emptiness is form.

Then three years passed, and on a fluke a realtor from my congregation and I were going to take a look at a nearby home that was on the market. She knew we were not in the market to buy because of David’s “less than zero” interest. So we were going to see this house just out of curiosity, and just as we were about to leave, David came home and announced, “Oh, I’ll go along. I don’t have anything else to do right now.”

We arrived at the house for sale, and it was absolutely beautiful, filled with light, with high ceilings, skylights, brightness, openness, airiness, soft colors . . . and David fell for it! He immediately said, “Let’s buy it.” I was stunned. And to make a not-too-long story shorter, in ten days the deal was closed. We didn’t spend six months of our lives looking at possible homes. We did not look at dozens of homes. There was no inner struggle, no angst at leaving our old and lovely condo. There was no attachment, going or arriving.

Our new home is beautiful, inviting, nurturing, serene . . . and it is form. And David and I know it is form. As a metaphysical teacher, I know the principle well. We can have whatever we want. And while having it, we might as well make it pretty and enjoyable. But we don’t get attached to it, for therein lies the pitfall.

Jesus said not to lay up your treasures where moths and rust will destroy them. Do not lay up your treasures (those that are truly valuable in your life, in the impermanent, in the illusionary), for they will prove to be empty, and the day will come when we all see the emptiness of form. For some this realization does not come until the moment of death. Often I have witnessed those filled with remorse or still in denial while on their deathbeds. This is truly sad. What were their lives all about? Don’t miss your soul’s growth in this lifetime by overlooking the truly valuable.

Here is a great shopping exercise. As you are browsing through merchandise, and the thought rises that you have to have some particular thing, just stop yourself and silently affirm, “(Name this thing you want) Form is emptiness. Emptiness is form.” Use this mantra to shift your internal perception.

Understanding the union between emptiness and form leads us to an understanding of ultimate truth. This is what it takes to wake up—ultimate truth. Ultimate truth leads to nirvana—a pretty, happy life of love, joy, service, peace, compassion, equanimity, knowing, fulfillment and bliss.

I encourage you to purchase mala beads at a special store that sells holy objects, or go to my church’s website, unitygreatercleveland.com. Click on bookstore, and you can order them there. Once you have your own mala beads, which work far better at keeping count than fingers, use them at least once daily. With a short mantra or affirmation, it takes about four minutes for 108 repetitions. These four short minutes to center yourself in the morning can make all the difference in your day and ultimately for the world. Four minutes to center yourself and pray. Aren’t you worth four minutes?

As I added these notes to my computer manuscript, I just glanced at the manuscript page number—108—the number of prayer beads on a mala—108—the sacred Buddhist number. I love this kind of cosmic confirmation. May we all get it. May we all be happy.