Auspicious Beginnings

My first Blog on my new Website /Online Store, Love Imbued Creations, which I have to say I have loved creating and see as an ever evolving project !! I haven't had much time to make new Malas though, but will start on that tomorrow.

After a bit of thought on what this first blog should be about.. I figured why not begin with the Ganesh Mantra, Destroyer of Obstacles...

I love the chubby little Elephant Deity... and always chant" OM GAM GANAPATAYE NAMAHA" before any new project, or adventure. For me Ganesh is the remover of obstacles... but more than that he calms my fears, makes me realise that as long as Ive done what I can.. the rest is out of my hands, and its ok!!

I would probably do about 7 rounds of my Mala at a sitting, ( a full round consists of 108 beads), but thats purely personal.. I just feel drawn to the number 7. You can do as many as your heart desires. If you are new to chanting or Mantra, you may feel comfortable only doing 27 or 54 beads on a Mala, and thats quite fine too.. whatever you feel drawn to doing or have the time to do. If you want to do more.. remember you don't have to complete all in one go... break it up .. let it fit into your day. The practice of Mantra, like Yoga, of which it is a part, should never be stressful or you will be defeating the purpose. Its best to take it slowly and learn to love it :)

When I practice Mantra, I generally begin softly but audibly (depending of course where I am ) and slowly for maybe 5 beads, and then begin to speed it up so thats it becomes a rushing flow, and then perhaps about three quarters through ( and there are no hard and fast rules) I slow it down and chant internally, bringing it back to audible towards the end, where I slow it down for the last 5 beads...

Im adding a video here intoning the Ganesh Mantra, you can hear the correct pronunciation of the Sanskrit words and just sing along with :)

And remember if you are new to this and find the Ganesh Mantra a little overwhelming, just intoning OM over each bead is divine in so many ways !!

Please enjoy the video, and I would love to hear back from you with any ideas or questions... I don't profess to be an expert on any of this... all Im doing is talking from my own experience..

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

Peace Peace Peace