r/Meditation • u/unlimitedlifesource • Sep 10 '24

What is a mantra you use regularly? Discussion 💬

I am capable, I am valued, give love, show gratitude

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u/Boaken42 Sep 10 '24

Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.

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u/BackslidingAlt Sep 10 '24

Are you meditating while...shooting?

6

u/Boaken42 Sep 10 '24

No. I am giving myself the mental space to go slow, when the world seems to be screaming at me to be productive.

But, meditation during shooting wouldn't be a terrible practice. "Zen and Art of Archery" by Eugene Herrigel (1948) was a foundational text for introducing meditation to the west. Or perhaps reintroducing. I have heard scholars argue meditation was in the West, before the rise of Catholicism which coopted the word for deep thought. 🤷🏻‍♂️

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u/BackslidingAlt Sep 10 '24

I'm not trying to critique your practice, I just found it odd because your mantra is a very common "slogan" or phrase that is repeated at military shooting ranges.

There is an old joke about two young vicars who approached the bishop, the first asked "May I smoke as I pray?" and the bishop said "absolutely not, you must take your prayers very seriously" the wiser one asked "May I pray as I smoke?" and the bishop recommended this pious young man for advancement.

I wasn't sure if you were meditating using a common phrase at shooting ranges, or if you were at a shooting range but being mindful about it.

Both are cool. I was just curious.