“No” – The Magick Mantra

In my opinion, one of the most important Sacred Mantras in the English language is “NO.”  When I hand down this teaching, people sometimes look at me in bewilderment – not understanding how this magickal phrase can create love, harmony, and understanding among ourselves and Humanity. This week I’d like to offer a Fresh Insight into the beauty and majesty of the Mantra “NO.”

Mantras are also called “Words of Power.”  The small two-letter expression “NO” is especially potent, and like most powerful tools, must be used with care and discernment. Used effectively, it has the capacity to create healing for ourselves and opportunities for growth for others.

In the philosophy of Yoga, one of the highest values is Ahimsa or “nonharming.” From my point of view, Ahimsa includes both the nonharming of others and not permitting others to cause harm to us. “NO” has the energetic effect of stopping inappropriate energies in our lives, and is very useful in halting relationship dynamics like co-dependency, abuse and other harmful behaviors. When we use the Mantra “NO” – particularly where a consistent pattern of behavior is concerned, we are only truly served in the long run when we examine and heal our own participation in the relationship dynamic that attracted the behavior in the first place, as well as giving the other participant the opportunity to do so. “NO” halts an energetic cycle and allows us to step out of its sphere of influence in order to see more clearly and to set new life-affirming dynamics in motion. “NO” brings attention to the fact that something is no longer working for us, thereby giving all participants the opportunity to examine the situation and create healing.

One of the greatest gifts of the Spiritual Path is the capacity to walk in the world with an open heart. We can say “NO” with our heart open wide. In my experience, being unconditionally loving does not mean that we have to allow others to walk all over us. Establishing boundaries through appropriate use of the Mantra “NO” creates a greater space of wellbeing for us, as well as those we serve.

Dictionary.com defines a boundary as “something that indicates bounds or limits.” While from a spiritual perspective, we are Boundless and Limitless, our unique niche in the Universe is in the physical dimension. We are meant to bring Spirit into Matter and to fully embody the Divine in human form. Healthy boundaries create a Container on the physical plane to hold the Water of Everlasting Life of Spirit when IT floods into our Being – allowing our Container to fill to the brim. The Mantra “NO,” when used appropriately, plugs energy leaks, holes and tears in our Container increasing its integrity and bringing us into alignment with the deepest core of ourselves. Healthy boundaries create a space for us to deeply receive from Spirit, and when we increase our capacity to receive, we increase our capacity to give. Once our Container is full, it cascades over into the lives of our Brothers and Sisters. 

The upcoming holidays are a time when we frequently return to our childhood home where many of our patterns were created. In that situation we may see limiting unwanted patterns “rear their heads.” This season, remember that the Mantra “NO,” when used with compassion, kindness and discernment, together with our own introspection, is a potent elixir that can transform our lives and those of our loved ones – creating renewed love, harmony and beauty for everyone to enjoy.

I invite you to share your own experiences during the coming holiday season. Use the Ask a Messenger feature on this page to share your insights with me.