Soham Meditation: Simplicity is Power

The Bible says that "in the beginning there was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." However, in the beginning there actually were no words - there were no languages, no animals, no sounds at all. So this has been a big mystery for the ages, what the Word was that the Bible speaks of. But the answer to this mystery may have been right in front of our faces all along. The solution is Soham.

Along with Om, Soham is considered to be one of the most powerful meditation techniques ever created. It is known as the "Mahamantra," or the "Greatest Mantra." Soham is the first and oldest meditation technique in the world. In fact, before they invented language or discovered fire, ancient cavemen would sit calmly inside the darkness of their caves with nothing else to focus upon but the sounds of their own breathing. In similar fashion, the first sound a child hears inside it's mother's womb is the sound of her breathing. The first sound it hears upon leaving its mother's womb is the sound of its first breath.

Because the sound of our own breathing is a primal, elementary source of comfort that has always existed, there is no need to rely on any worldly-created words in any languages to use as a mantra. Since the beginning of time, simply focusing on breathing has brought people the ability to transcend world limitations. Soham can be practiced at any time throughout the day - even while working, driving, and performing other routine activities of daily life - thereby providing you with the continuous experience of living in the present and the here and now.

This is a marvelous gift, because reality of life must take place now, in the present. Soham can bring you the fulfillment of knowledge, insight, consciousness, and inner bliss that was your birthright from the moment you were born. When God was asked what His name was, in the Bible, He replied, "I am that I am." Sanskrit, the most ancient language, says that the sound of inhalation is "So" and the sound of exhalation is "Ham." When these are combined, they form the word "Soham," which is translated as "I am He/That." Therefore, whenever you practice the Soham meditation technique, you are calling on God. Thus, every breath you take becomes a prayer and serves as an expression of adoration.

To practice the Soham meditation technique, adopt the position you have determined to be the most beneficial for successful meditation, in the place where you are most comfortable. Close your eyes, and shut out sound from your ears by using earplugs or putting your thumbs in your ears. Closing up your ears will cause the sound of your breathing to be intensified, while also lessening the distractions brought by sights and sounds outside your meditation. Command that your mind be silent, your emotions be calm, and your body remain relaxed and at peace.

Focus your thoughts on the sound of your breath as you inhale. Associate that inhalation with the word "So." As you exhale, listen to that sound and associate that exhalation with the word "Ham." Listen to how the words "So" and "Ham" sound. As with most breathing techniques, Soham is practiced either in three cycles of 12 breaths, or in 12 cycles of 12 breaths. One respiration consists of one inhalation followed by one exhalation.

For beginners just learning to use Soham, it may be beneficial to actually silently say the word "So" along with each inhalation, and say the word "Ham" along with each exhalation. Once you are consistently focused, consciously on your breathing, your mind will flow easily into listening simply to the sound of Soham, without the need to say the words.

Soham is without a doubt the easiest of all meditations, because it comes naturally without any specific effort. And yet it is the deepest, most intense meditation technique, because it gives you the opportunity to focus your meditation on the great mystery we call living, as well as the Life-giver, God. With each breath you are forgiven of your sins and rewarded with the ability to take another breath, feel another heartbeat, and cherish another moment of life. No conscious act of will on your own part gives you breath - you have been graced with the gift of breathing from a power greater than yourself. Think of it - a dead body may contain the same organs, the same bones, and the same bodily systems that you have, yet it has no life and no healing energy to fill its every cell with breath.

As you practice Soham and become more and more adept at focusing on the gift of breathing, you will gradually surrender your reactions to emotion, thought, and sensory inputs from the word. These earthbound limitations are heavy and cause suffering. The divine inspiration brought about by Soham is infused with endless heavenly light and love. Witness this gift of life, surrender all conscious efforts, and fill your soul with the most precious gift - the Grace of God.