Meditation on Om

Meditation on Om

by Swami Sivananda

Retire into the meditation chamber. Sit on Padma, Siddha, Svastika or Sukha Asana to begin with. Relax the muscles. Close the eyes. Concentrate the gaze on Trikuti, the space between the two eyebrows. Repeat Om mentally with Brahman Bhavana. This Bhavana is a sine qua non, very, very important. Silence the conscious mind.

Repeat mentally, feel constantly:

All-pervading Ocean of Light I am Om Om Om
Infinity I am Om Om Om
All-pervading infinite Light I am Om Om Om
Vyapaka Paripurna Jyotirmaya Brahman I am Om Om Om
Omnipotent I am Om Om Om
Omniscient I am Om Om Om
All-bliss I am Om Om Om
Satchidananda I am Om Om Om
All-purity I am Om Om Om
All-glory I am Om Om Om

All Upadhis will be sublated. All Granthis (heart-knots, ignorance) will be cut asunder. The thin veil, Avarana, will be pierced. The Pancha Kosha Adhyasa (superimposition) will be removed. You will rest doubtless in Satchidananda state. You will get highest knowledge, highest bliss, highest realisation, and highest end of life. Brahma vit Brahmaiva Bhavati. You will become Suddha Satchidananda Vyapaka Paripurna Brahman. Nasti Atra Samsayah, there is no doubt of that, here.

There is no difficulty at all in the Atma Darshan. You can have this within the twinkling of an eye as Raja Janaka had, before you can squeeze a flower with fingers, within the time taken for a grain to fall when rolled over a pot. You must do earnest, constant and intense practice. You are bound to succeed in two or three years.Nowadays there are plenty of talking Brahmans. No flowery talk or verbosity can make a man Brahman. It is constant, intense, earnest Sadhana and Sadhana alone that can give a man direct Aparoksha Brahmic realisation (Svanubhava or Sakshatkara) wherein he sees the solid Brahman, just as he sees the solid white wall in front of him and feels Brahman, just as he feels the table behind him.

Meditation on Om – Inner Silence, Concentration, and Spiritual Awareness

Meditation on Om is one of the most respected practices in spiritual life. Om is considered a sacred sound that represents peace, purity, and the deeper reality behind existence. It is not just a word or a chant; it is a symbol of the universal vibration that connects the individual mind with higher consciousness. When practiced with sincerity, it can make the mind calm, focused, and inward-looking.

The human mind is usually restless. It keeps moving from one thought to another, remembering the past, planning the future, and reacting to desires, fears, and emotions. Because of this constant movement, inner peace becomes difficult. The practice of repeating Om helps gather the scattered mind and bring it toward one point of awareness. Slowly, unnecessary thoughts become weaker, and the mind begins to experience stillness.

Meditation on Om begins with a quiet place, a steady posture, and a calm attitude. The body should be relaxed but alert. One may sit with the spine straight, close the eyes gently, and take a few deep breaths. After that, Om can be chanted slowly and clearly. The sound should not be rushed. It should flow naturally from the heart, with full attention on its vibration.

The sound of Om has three parts: A, U, and M. The first sound begins from the throat, the second rolls through the mouth, and the final sound closes softly at the lips. After the sound fades, there is a moment of silence. This silence is very important because it allows the mind to rest beyond words and thoughts. The sound leads the mind inward, and silence deepens the experience.

Meditation on Om also improves concentration. When the mind is trained to stay with one sacred sound, it becomes less distracted by outside objects. This is useful not only for spiritual seekers but also for students, workers, and anyone who wants mental clarity. A focused mind can understand better, decide better, and respond to life with more patience.

This practice is not about making loud sounds or showing devotion outwardly. Its real value lies in inner attention. Even a soft chant can be powerful if the mind is fully present. After some time, the chanting may become mental rather than vocal. The person may repeat Om silently inside, feeling its meaning and vibration within the heart and mind.

Meditation on Om should be practiced with regularity. A few minutes every day are better than a long practice done only sometimes. Morning is often considered a good time because the mind is fresh and the environment is usually peaceful. Evening practice can also help remove the stress of the day. The main requirement is sincerity, not complicated technique.

The practice also helps control emotions. Anger, fear, jealousy, and anxiety become strong when the mind is uncontrolled. Repetition of Om creates a peaceful rhythm that slows down emotional disturbance. It gives a person time to observe feelings instead of being ruled by them. This inner gap between feeling and reaction is the beginning of self-mastery.

Meditation on Om is also connected with purity of life. If a person chants Om but lives carelessly, speaks harshly, follows unhealthy desires, and harms others, the practice remains incomplete. True meditation should influence daily behavior. Speech becomes softer, actions become more thoughtful, and the heart becomes more compassionate. Spiritual sound must be supported by spiritual conduct.

Patience is necessary in this practice. Some people expect quick results and become disappointed when the mind remains restless. But restlessness is natural in the beginning. The mind has been moving outward for many years, so it needs time to become steady. One should continue gently without force. Every sincere repetition leaves a positive effect on the mind.

Meditation on Om is not an escape from life. It prepares a person to live better. A calm mind can perform duties with more balance. It can face success without pride and failure without despair. It can speak with wisdom and act with responsibility. Inner silence gives strength for outer action.

The deeper purpose of this practice is self-awareness. As the mind becomes quiet, a person begins to notice that thoughts, emotions, and desires are changing, but awareness remains present. This awareness is closer to the true self. Om becomes a bridge from outer noise to inner truth.

In the end, Meditation on Om teaches that peace is not found only in the outside world. It is already present within, but it is covered by restlessness, attachment, and distraction. Through regular chanting, silence, discipline, and pure living, the mind becomes clear and the heart becomes peaceful. This sacred practice can lead a person toward concentration, devotion, wisdom, and inner freedom.

Naishkarmya (Actionless State)