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Mantra

Location: Indoors

Time: 30 minutes

Materials: 3" × 5" index cards

Drawing paper

Pens, pencils, or markers

Optional: decorating materials

Mantra Handout (one per person)

Objectives

• To find a simple, yet personally meaningful, word that one can intentionally return to as a reminder to stay in recovery.

• To develop an additional coping skill to manage anxiety.

Directions

1. Discuss briefly that there are many ways we can focus and manage stress, anxiety, or cravings.

2. Invite participants to turn their attention inward to explore various ways in which a single word or mantra can resonate in a lasting way. Explain that mantras are words or phrases that are chanted aloud or to oneself to help with grounding, calming, or meditation. Offer some examples, such as ohm or Follow your path to the group so they can better understand what is expected.

3. Ask participants to think of a word that can quickly and easily remind them of their own inner strength to maintain recovery.

4. Instruct participants to write their chosen mantra on an index card and then illustrate a larger image to share with the group.

5. Once everyone is finished, invite volunteers to share their work with the group.

HOPE mantra

Observations

Initially, individuals in the group had some difficulties understanding the concept but with some explanation, the concept became simple. Each participant was invited to explain which word she chose, many of which were individual in nature. One participant described her mantra as “pull out,” the place on the road to stop a runaway truck, and explained how focusing on that phrase would intercept her potential relapse. Another participant created the word order out of letters that spelled chaos. Overall, the activity was surprising, entertaining, and pleasant. Six months later, in a chance encounter, one client stated this had helped her avoid relapse. The Mantra Handout was created by clients in one of the groups.

Inspired by: Eastern meditation practices and grounding activities.

PATIENCE mantra

Mantra HANDOUT

Use one of these personal mantra suggestions or create your own.

ability

achievement

ambition

beauty

becoming

beginning

Bible

birth

Lord

peace

phoenix

present

prayer

protection

castle

center

change

choice

clean

conviction

definitely

dream

receive

relief

right

rise

smart

spirit

driver

expect

faith

freedom

God

good

grace

gift

start

steward

today

transformation

truth

trust

guardian

guidance

happiness

help

hope

human

judgment

commitment

understanding

win

wish

won

yes

“The exercises provide a healthy and playful opportunity for self-discovery.”

ROXANNA ERICKSON-KLEIN