ARANI SERIES
Spark 5
October 15, 2014
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
Everybody loves his (her) own name surely. Adi Shankaracharya, while commenting on the very first mantra of Chandogya Upanishad, says1: God is pleased when we recite Om, which is His closest name, just as people in the world are delighted to hear their name! How nice it is therefore that we have with us a simple way to earn God’s grace! Say Om and get nearer to the Supreme. If you hesitate to recite Om, which is supposed to be a highly placed Vedic word, say Harih first and then add Om. Say Harih Om. Saying Harih makes anybody and everybody eligible to utter the sacred word Om.
Lots of people are these days interested in meditation but a small percentage of them actually do it. One reason for this is – they keep wondering what the best way to meditate is. They hear so much, read a lot and notice so much propaganda about meditation but they are confused how to go about it. Repeating Om with concentration, taking the sound as representing2 the Supreme Truth, is one excellent way to meditate.
Our mind has a thousand occupations. This world endlessly drags our mind into countless topics. If we ever imagine that we will take up spiritual practices after we are done with all our duties in this world, it is a terrible illusion for sure. We must begin with short meditation, say for 18 minutes a day, preferably at the same time daily. 10 to 15 minutes daily at the same time, done regularly, is more effective and rewarding than some long sitting – for 45 minutes or an hour – once in a fortnight, rather irregularly.
Om is God’s name; Om is the best symbol of God too. Vedas (including Upanishads) have sung its glory. Geeta praises it3. From time immemorial, spiritual aspirants have been reciting it in the beginning of Japa (such as Gayatri Japa), Karma (such as yajnas, sacrifices) and Swadhyaya (such as study of Vedic portions). The applications of Om are diverse. Meditation (or call it Upasana) on Om is highly recommended.
A simple form of exercise can be to combine regulated breathing with reciting Om. Take a deep breath quietly. Say Om – in an audible way or just mentally – while exhaling. Repeat this with involvement, avoiding thoughts as far as possible. Do this for 10, 15 or 18 minutes at one sitting. If early morning is difficult, please do it at 7 am or 6 pm daily. Adapt it to fit into your schedule.
Talk less about it; just do it.
Swami Chidananda
End Notes:
1 Chandogya Upanishad 1.1.1
2 Om is called prateeka, representing the Supreme.
3 At places like 8.13 and 17.23.