Elephant Meditation Chant

Smart elephant riders in India give their pachyderm a stick to hold with it's trunk, preventing the elephant from grabbing things while walking--like your neighbor's lunch or sweets in the market place.

This is similar to using a chant while meditating.

Rather than allowing your mind to wander while in meditation, like the elephant's trunk, the mind is focused on the chant (or stick).

The chant you choose will be said repeatedly, so pick one that is meaningful for you.  Long or short, one word or a page, any length is acceptable.  Also, a chant that speaks of what you are trying to achieve spiritually will be imprinted onto your brain, repeatedly.

I use 'The Prayer of St. Francis'.  Other examples are: 'God Is...I Am'; 'God, Grant me the courage to change the things I can, the serenity to accept the things I cannot, and the wisdom to know the difference'.

Memorize your chant beforehand, sit in a quiet space, close your eyes, and silently, repeatedly say the prayer to yourself.  You may wish to chant the entire time, or just until you feel that 'meditative state'.

Meditation chants are a great way for beginners to get started with out the pressure of doing it 'right'.  And for experience practitioners to move quickly into that meditative state.

God Speed to going within!

PRAYER OF ST. FRANCIS

LORD MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF THY PEACE
WHERE THERE IS HATRED, LET ME SOW LOVE
WHERE THERE IS INJURY, PARDON
WHERE THERE IS DOUBT, FAITH
WHERE THERE IS DESPAIR, HOPE
WHERE THERE IS DARKNESS, LIGHT
WHERE THERE IS SADNESS, JOY

OH DIVINE MASTER, GRANT THAT I MAY NOT SO MUCH SEEK TO BE UNDERSTOOD AS TO UNDERSTAND
TO BE CONSOLED AS TO CONSOLE
TO BE LOVED AS TO LOVE
FOR IT IS IN GIVING THAT WE RECEIVE
IT IS IN PARDONING THAT WE ARE PARDONED
IT IS IN DYING (TO SELF) THAT WE ARE GIVEN ETERNAL LIFE