Mantra and OM

The whole field of teaching on the subject of sound and its laws, which is yet unknown to the West, forms the basis of the science of mantra. And many of the so-called miracles of the true yogis are formed through knowledge of this science.  In the Eastern teaching the universe (sansara) is made-up of sound and form, form being the evolute or concrete manifestation of sound.  Name and form (nama rupa) is one of the philosophical definitions of the physical universe.

Mantram is a formula – the combination of the power of certain sounds which have been brought together by those who were masters of the science of sound, in order to create a desired effect.  Sages were actuated by one desire – to bring the greatest good to mankind; and they have blessed these formulas with spiritual power.  Sound in the mantram is the important [element], not so much the meaning.  In some mantrams the words have no meaning at all.  Spiritual power is derived from the spiritual power of their creator and his use and knowledge of the power residing in the various sounds and their meanings.

He comes into the world in order to transcend himself and to know God.  According to the holy philosophy to know does not mean to grasp with the mind.  It means to enter into, to be, [That].  The [one who is] ignorant of where this Lord, Truth, is to be found fashions symbols of His greatness, love and beauty and learns to worship Him through them.  Gradually he accustoms himself to the rarified atmosphere they create.  At last, the symbol is discarded and the reality behind it is intuitively recognised and known.

The symbol OM is a vital symbol.  To repeat it or to listen to its sound interiorly brings peace and power.  The traditional teaching is that the practice will not fructify unless the life and [habit] of the one who undertakes it has been purified – which means that he must practise harmlessness in thought, word and deed, the stagnation of egoism and discipline of the mind and its activities.

A very short practice may seem simple, but it will produce great results if done patiently and with faith.  Look carefully at the symbol OM for a few minutes.  Do not stare at it and hurt your eyes – look at it, as you would look at a picture.  Then close your eyes and see the OM interiorly.  See it as if it were drawn in light and is spreading the light of peace all around it.  Repeat the sound OM interiorly at the same time with closed eyes; and meditate for a short time on its meaning; remembering that it symbolises the various spheres of activity and their domination and interpenetration by the supreme Self, the Lord who makes men, peace and phenomena not only interrelated, but One.

OM

© Trevor Leggett