Taking the Help of "OM" Symbol (Aatmbindu Upanishad)

 

      If we succeed with removing the thought of objects from the mind, i.e. the objective aspect of thought, we are still left with the problem of removing the subjective aspect of thought. In the former case, the “enemy” object stood outside oneself, so it was not too difficult to remove. In the latter case, the “enemy” lies within, as the Ego. Removing the Ego is the most difficult operation anyone could perform on himself. To remove the Ego sounds easy in theory, but is extremely difficult in practice. Perhaps this explains why there are so few saints in this world. Help of “Om” Upasana 1 As our quest for God becomes more intense, we come to the stage where we are face to face with our Ego, where we have to deal with the problem of transforming the ‘Aham Vritti’ or the “I-sense”. The direct route is to replace ‘Aham Vritti’ with the “Brahmakara Vritti”, i.e. the thought of Brahman. However, there is an intermediate step necessary before we can attempt that. It is called Omkara Upasana. Omkara Upasana is the repetition of Om, starting by doing it aloud and focusing on the sound. This is the most effective technique prescribed in the Upanishads to still the mind. It removes not only the objective thought but also the subjective thought of “I” – at least, in theory. Om is the sound symbol for Brahman. When it is repeated with this understanding, it works most effectively. Om repetition takes us from sound to the support of sound, which is SILENCE. Silence is not the opposite of sound but its very support. All sounds arise in silence. When sounds are eliminated, we are left with Silence. This relationship signifies our own relationship with the Self or Brahman; Brahman is our sole Support. The relation between sound and silence begins to be understood. This is in respect only to the sense of sound. Sounds arise in space. If sounds are eliminated, we are left with Space alone. The other senses can be viewed in the same way. For example, the sense of sight can be examined. All sight requires light. When light is taken away we are left with darkness. When we look at taste we see a similar situation. All tastes require the medium of water, but water itself is tasteless; it only carries the taste to the tongue. In this way, we understand how to move away from the objects of the senses, and go to their very support. Now, let us apply the above rule to the removal of the internal ‘object’ of Ego: When we are seated for meditation, the chanting of Om is the easiest way to achieve this. Omkara Upasana acts as a bridge between the world of the Ego and that of the ultimate Reality. Progress in Om Upasana is measured by the steadiness gained by the mind when all objects, external and internal, are removed. Turning Within to the Supreme 2 When steadiness is achieved, we are ready to go to the next step. We move on to the “Supreme that is beyond sound”. A single thought alone is left in the mind. 3 This is the “Brahmakara Vritti”, which is the thought “I am Brahman”. This is what is meant by ‘beyond sound’ when it is applied to meditation.

   4 The purpose of the Brahmakara Vritti is to take Self-enquiry to its limit. The enquiry is to constantly try to discriminate between what is Real and what is Unreal. This should be the meditator’s main concern. The Brahmakara Vritti is a practical tool which is most useful for this enquiry. The aspirant who successfully reaches this stage of enquiry is considered by ordinary standards to be very highly advanced on the spiritual path. We are speaking of an advanced seeker. The Upanishad at this point provides some key pointers which mean a lot to such a seeker, but which may be very difficult to grasp for one who is not practising this Sadhana. These details are given in the next two verses.