A mantra is a word, sound, or phrase repeated to focus the mind or express a strong belief. Derived from the ancient Sanskrit language, "man" means "mind" and "tra" means "instrument." There are three main types of mantras, each of which has different qualities and purposes. Bija mantras are short one-syllable words that contain a great deal of vibrational energy. They are often chanted alone, but can be found in longer mantras. Each mantra is associated with goddesses, the five elements of nature, or the seven chakra energy centers. Saguna mantras focus on the name of a particular god or goddess and involve the visualization of the deity. Thus, the chanting is more than repeating words but calling upon qualities that the deity represents. The whole process is personalized, allowing the chanter to connect directly with the deity. Nirguna mantras are older than the other two types. They do not chant any particular deity, which makes it much more abstract and difficult to interpret. These mantras relate to the universal truths and concepts like consciousness and peace. Transcending the physical world, they are not recommended for beginners. Chanting mantras has been practiced for centuries. Nowadays, even scientific studies recognize benefits of mantra chanting. If you are looking for the balance between the mind, body, and spirit, you can give chanting mantras a try!