Traditions that live on are the ones which are meant to live on.

By: Christine Russell
@889christine
889 co-creator with sister @889emily

Here’s a glimpse into my journal; I have transcribed a many thousand-year-old mantra in Sanskrit with three English translations. Below it is the traditional Sanskrit presentation (thank you, Marla!). It is one I am so drawn to and just love. Read the beautiful words inside…

I first heard this beautiful chant led by Nicky at 889. She has been sharing this chant at the end of every class for the past few weeks. From the first moment I heard her sing it in Sanskrit and reveal the English translation (“perfect” translation above), it has arisen often in my thoughts and I have found myself humming it aloud, and sharing the mantra with friends (friends who I don’t usually chant with, simply because I love it so much!). It has become my favourite mantra – it just topped ‘Lokah Samasta.’

How beautiful is it that everything is perfect, and everything is whole. As things change they remain perfect: from perfect they become perfect.

And what makes it even more perfect are the many words which can be expressed in the translation: complete, whole, perfect, perfect whole. Over the past few months in our 889 Living Yoga Program I have been taught all four of these translations from four different teachers. I imagine there are many more…

Here is a youtube video to hear the mantra, sung in part by children. Play it a few times; the sounds sit so beautifully, it becomes obvious to me how this ancient mantra has lived on over thousands of years. In this particular version, the children’s voices are so peaceful.

I encourage you to read, listen, chant, and notice how it makes you feel. Have fun (chanting isn’t weird! it’s quite relaxing and centering for me).