A Mantra for Peaceful Running

Would you like to experience more peaceful running or more enjoyable runs? Do some runs feel extremely difficult and others much easier? What is the underlying difference?

We often tell ourselves stories to justify why a run was particularly bad or good but at the end of the day, we have a choice. We can choose how we react to whatever it is that we are experiencing. A mantra practice can help us to choose more wisely and enjoy peaceful running more often.

Try this next time you are not feeling peaceful while running. It doesn't matter what has taken away your peaceful state of mind. It could be that you are frustrated because your running watch has stopped working properly. You may be feeling too hot or too tired, you may have a sudden ache or pain or maybe you have a recurring health issue that is threatening your ability to run. Whatever the reason, try the mantra below to help bring about more peaceful runs.

A Peaceful Running Mantra

Try repeating the following mantra: "Allow What's Here."

This mantra helps you to become fully present to what you are experiencing. As you repeat the mantra, continue to experience what you are feeling, such as your emotions and any physical sensations, but also notice the stories that you are telling yourself about the situation. These stories and interpretations will have an element of judgment and this is what we need to let go. When we judge something as not being good, we have a desire to change what we are experiencing and this is what creates suffering in our mind.

"Resistance creates suffering. Stress happens when your mind resists what is. The only problem in your life is your mind's resistance to life as it unfolds."

-- Dan Millman

For example, if you are experiencing pain while running, allow the pain to arise but let go of your judgment of the situation. Do not indulge in the stories that you tell yourself about the pain, such as, "this must be happening because I ran too much or too fast last time" or "I must be getting arthritis in my knees" or "maybe those new shoes I bought are not right for me" or "I must have done something wrong."

Let go of all these interpretations of what is happening and just "be" with what you are experiencing without judgment or criticism.

This practice can feel difficult and uncomfortable at first as allowing pain and discomfort to arise is not something we are used to doing. Our instinct is to push away what feels uncomfortable for us.

By allowing "what's here" into our consciousness, we become more peaceful and receptive to all our experiences. Not judging them allows us to flow more easily with life allowing us to enjoy more health and happiness.

This affirmation may also help us to stay present to what's here: "I am here and the time is now."

The situation may not go away immediately but after a short time the psychological suffering will be gone and you will find yourself in a more peaceful place.

When we notice the stories or thoughts we have about a situation, we can begin to realize that it is the thoughts we have about the situation that causes suffering and not the situation itself. When we begin to notice this, it helps us to realize that we are never upset for the reasons that we think and just how powerful our thoughts can be.

Allowing all experiences to come and go without resistance or judgments will help you have more peaceful runs with less injuries and suffering on all levels.

You may also be interested in the following:

10 Most Powerful Affirmations for Runners

Guided Running Meditations

Race Visualization Exercise

Return to Spiritual Running

FTC Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Learn more.

NEW FEATURE - DISQUS COMMENTS!

Be the first to comment.
Login using Facebook, Twitter, Google or Disqus.

Loading Comments

#disqus_thread { min-height: 200px; }

Share this page:

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tumblr Reddit WhatsApp

Recent Articles

The Best Way to Carry Your Phone While Running!
Mar 21, 23 11:51 AM

Do you wish there was a simpler, more discreet way to carry even your large phone while running? Are you frustrated with phone carriers for runners that are bulky and uncomfortable?
Read More
The Link Between Nutrition and Exercise Performance: Healthy Habits for Runners
Mar 08, 23 08:07 AM

A nutritionally balanced body is essential to a runner’s health and performance. Enhance your overall performance with these healthy habits to support the physical pressures experienced during runnin…
Read More
Develop Mental Strength for Running with Shambhala meditation!
Mar 07, 23 04:43 AM

Shambhala meditation is a simple meditation practice that can easily be used as a method of mental strength training during running. Learn how to tame your wild horse!
Read More
How to Enjoy Running More!
Feb 24, 23 11:22 AM

Experts say the best way to increase the enjoyment of any experience is to change how we think while we are doing it. The easiest way to change our thoughts while running is by using positive affirma…
Read More
What is the Real Cause of Running Injuries?
Feb 18, 23 08:53 AM

Another running injury? What is the cause this time--weak hip flexors, too much training, incorrect shoes, not enough stretching? Maybe we are looking in the completely wrong direction for the answer…
Read More
The Best Way to Carry Your Phone While Running!
Feb 01, 23 10:29 AM

Do you wish there was a simpler, more discreet way to carry even your large phone while running? Are you frustrated with phone carriers for runners that are bulky and uncomfortable?
Read More
Barefoot Running on Sand Finally!
Jan 18, 23 11:37 AM

Barefoot running on sand has to be the most enjoyable way to run and to my delight, I finally found a new holiday beach that is ideal for running.
Read More
What are your running goals for 2023?
Jan 14, 23 08:50 AM

What are your running goals for 2023? What was your greatest achievement in 2022? A new year is the perfect time to set a new goal and reflect on last year's achievements. Please share your new goals…
Read More
Stay healthy and keep running!
Dec 29, 22 07:01 AM

Learn how to stay healthy and keep running using the power of our mind! Are you often plagued by headaches, colds, influenza, sinus infections and other common illnesses that keep interfering with yo…
Read More
Happy Holidays!
Dec 24, 22 07:31 AM

The holidays create many golden memories, but they are also a very stressful time for many of us. Stress often creates illnesses that we would happily do without. We want to stay healthy so we can fe…
Read More