OM Pocket Guide

Keith Johnson, M.S. Education

Senior Technical Writer

Senior Om Meditation Practitioner

Hollywood, Florida, USA

October, 2018

OM Pocket Guide

Table of Contents

Introduction ...... 3 ISBN ...... 4 Disclaimer ...... 4 The Sacred Word ...... 5 Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh (1887 – 1963) ...... 5 108 Sayings/Reflections about “OM” ...... 6 Ten Essential OM Affirmations ...... 22 OM Image in the Sanskrit Language ...... 23 OM Image in the Tibetan Language ...... 24 OM Image in the Hindi Language ...... 25 Thank You ...... 25 References ...... 26 Books by Keith Johnson ...... 26

OM Pocket Guide

Introduction

Greetings and Hello! Thank you for taking the time to read the “OM Pocket Guide”. The Sacred Syllable/Sacred Sound “OM” is a spiritual revelation from ancient Himalayan sages regarding the Original Name of God as well as the Origins and Essence of all life and existence. I have been on the spiritual path since college (1980s). I have read the Bible, Torah, Bhagavad-Gita, Tao Te Ching, Vedas, Dhammapada, Upanishads, and many other sacred books over the years. I have studied with great individuals. It is my conclusion, based on the transcendental teachings of great spiritual masters like the late Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, India, that this sacred sound “OM” is the true bridge that connects humanity with its Original Spiritual Source. The following book contains sayings about “OM” from Swami Sivananda’s book “Meditation on OM and Mandukya Upanishad” to help you better understand its positive spiritual role in our lives. Best Regards, Namaste,

Keith Johnson, Author October, 2018

OM Pocket Guide

ISBN

This book’s ISBN numbers are:

ISBN-13: 978-1724776242

ISBN-10: 172477624X

Disclaimer

This book is for reading pleasure only. This book is not personal advice in any way. This book is not professional advice in any way. Again, this book is for reading pleasure only. Caveat Lector. Caveat Emptor. Thank you.

OM Pocket Guide

The Sacred Word

“In the beginning was the Word. The Word was with God and the Word was God.” Taken from the Bible, New Testament, John, Chapter 1, Verse 1.

Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh (1887 – 1963)

“OM (the Sacred Syllable) is the Name (Word) of Brahman (God).” Taken from Swami Sivananda’s book “Meditation on OM.”

Swami Sivananda was a Self-Realized Spiritual Master and Rishi (Seer) from Rishikesh, India who was a scholar of most major Spiritual and Dharma Teachings, especially Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Christianity.

OM Pocket Guide

108 Sayings/Reflections about “OM”

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #1 Brahman (God as Divine Spirit) is the highest of all. OM is His name.

Saying #2 OM is everything. OM is the Name or Symbol of God, Isvara, Brahman. Note: Isvara is God in Personal Form. Brahman is God in Universal/Spirit Form.

Saying #3 OM stands for all phenomenal worlds.

Saying #4 From OM, this entire sense universe has been projected.

Saying #5 This world exists in OM and will dissolve in OM.

Saying #6 OM is formed by adding the letters A, U, M. The “A” represents the physical plane of existence. The “U” represents the mental plane of existence. The “M” represents the state of deep sleep and all that exists beyond the mind/intellect.

Saying #7 OM is the very basis of your life, thought/mind, and intelligence.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #8 All words that denote objects are centered in OM. Hence, the whole world has come from OM, rests in OM, and dissolves in OM.

Saying #9 OM is the symbol of Brahman (God as Divine Spirit). It is the Word of Power.

Saying #10 OM is the sacred monosyllable. It is the essence of the Vedas (ancient Hindu Scriptures).

Saying #11 OM is the boat that will take you to the other shore of fearlessness and immortality.

Saying #12 Meditate on OM with “bhava” or “positive receptivity.” When you think about OM or meditate on OM, think about Brahman (God as Divine Spirit), which is who/what OM symbolizes.

Saying #13 The Word “OM” is the most appropriate Name of Brahman (God as Divine Spirit and Supreme Spirit).

Saying #14 When you hear the sound OM, it denotes Sat-Chit-Ananda, which means Truth-Knowledge-Bliss.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #15 All objects are denoted by sound and all sounds merge in OM.

Saying #16 The whole universe comes out of OM and is then absorbed in OM.

Saying #17 Thought and Word are inseparable. Therefore, OM and Brahman (God as Divine Spirit) are inseparable.

Saying #18 OM is the basis of all sounds and languages, representing all names. OM is the head of all names of God.

Saying #19 The sound OM covers the whole (entire) field of sounds and words. All words and sounds are created in (through) OM.

Saying #20 All words, languages, and sounds proceed from OM. OM is the natural (sound) symbol for Brahman (God as Divine Spirit).

Saying #21 The sound vibration produced by chanting OM in the physical plane corresponds to the original vibration that first arose from the creative aspect of Brahman (God as Divine Spirit).

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #22 You will find in the Bible “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” This is OM (the Word of Power).

Saying #23 All of the Vedas, Vedanta, and Sacred Scriptures of Hinduism are all contained in OM.

Saying #24 OM is the womb for everything. This world has come out of OM. It exists in OM. It will dissolve into OM during the Cosmic Pralaya (dissolution process).

Saying #25 AMEN is used by Christians at the end of prayers. AMEN is used frequently in the Bible too. AMEN is only a variation of OM.

Saying #26 OM is the matrix of all sounds. You will (soon) clearly see that mankind utters OM consciously or unconsciously at all times. If you utter OM with bhava (positive receptivity) and feeling you will quickly realize your own essential divine nature.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #27 All colors are centered in the eye. All taste is centered in the tongue. All touch is centered in the skin. All sounds are centered in the ear. All scents are centered in the nose. All senses are centered in the mind. All minds are centered in OM, the Supreme Self.

Saying #28 The humming of bees, the sweet melody of the nightingale, the seven tunes in music, the sound of the flute, the roar of the lion, the song of the lover, the neigh of the horse, the hiss of the cobra, and the clapping of the audience are all emanations of OM.

Saying #29 All languages and sounds come out of OM. The person who chants OM and meditates OM contemplates/repeats the sacred books of the entire world.

Saying #30 OM is the source or the womb for all religions and scriptures of different parts of the world.

Saying #31 OM represents the Absolute Truth, Brahman (God as Divine Spirit) and the One Existence.

Saying #32 OM is the greatest of all mantras.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #33 OM bestows liberation directly.

Saying #34 All mantras begin with OM. Every Upanishad begins with OM. The Gayatri mantra begins with OM. Offerings to all Hindu and Buddhist deities begin with OM.

Saying #35 The greatness of OM cannot be described by any one person.

Saying #36 There is OM in every sound.

Saying #37 OM is used in the form of invocating or addressing in prayer or supplication.

Saying #38 OM is the formula (imperative prayer) which transmits a certain grace or virtue to the person over whom it is pronounced.

Saying #39 Rishis (sages of the ancient past) who have attained self-realization have experienced the mysterious effects of chanting OM.

Saying #40 OM is the ferryboat for people who have fallen into the never-ending ocean of mundane (material) life. Many have crossed this ocean of Samsara (repeated birth and death) with the help of this ferryboat. You can also do so.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #41 OM is the ladder which will take you (the aspirant) to the loftier levels of super-consciousness.

Saying #42 Meditation on OM will reveal to you the laws of the higher planes and the (higher) spiritual laws.

Saying #43 Meditation on OM will give you liberation, immortality, courage, inner spiritual strength, supreme peace, penetrative insight, and change your very being.

Saying #44 What does Lord Krishna (of Hinduism) teach by holding the flute in his hands? What is the spiritual philosophy of the flute? Flute is the symbol of OM.

Saying #45 Lord Krishna (of Hinduism) says “Empty your egoism. I will play in your body-flute. You will become one with My Will. Take refuge in OM. Meditate on OM. You will enter into my Being.”

Saying #46 Brahman (God as Divine Spirit) is like the “Hamsa” bird. An adept in yoga/meditation who bestrides the “Hamsa” bird (e.g. who meditates on OM) is then not affected by karmic influences.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #47 OM is the all-pervading sound that has come out of Brahman (God as Divine Spirit).

Saying #48 The OM sound is the beginning of creation. OM has emanated from the Cosmic Vibration/Being.

Saying #49 OM is all in all. OM is the mystic word of power. OM is the magic word of marvelous potency. OM is the comforter and prop of all.

Saying #50 OM is the ocean into which all rivers of sounds, names and words flow.

Saying #51 OM is the voice of all creation. OM is the voice of one’s guru. OM is the voice of the Hindu Vedas and the basis of all sound/sounds.

Saying #52 OM is the sound of the Cosmos. OM is the primal sound of the universe. OM is the priceless treasure of a student in the path of jnana (wisdom) yoga.

Saying #53 OM is the passport of those who are sailing in the boat of knowledge of the Self to reach the other short of fearlessness and immortality, Brahman (God).

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #54 OM is the Soul of souls.

Saying #55 OM is the Light of lights.

Saying #56 OM is the celestial drink that confers immortality. Meditate on OM. Plunge into OM.

Saying #57 Have a dip in OM. This is the most sacred bath that will quench the fires of samsara (repeated birth and death).

Saying #58 OM represents the canvas or background. The forms of the universe represent the pictures in the canvas. The canvas is real, but the picture in the canvas is unreal. OM is the only solid reality. The names and forms of this universe are unreal like the pictures in the canvas.

Saying #59 OM, the real Atman (Soul) is the substratum for all sounds, languages, the body, the mind, prana (life-force) and senses. OM is similarly the substratum or the underlying reality in which all objects appear as waves in the ocean. The ocean alone is real.

Saying #60 OM alone is real.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #61 OM is a single syllable. All words are simplified into the one Pranava (life-force), OM, in order to describe Brahman (God).

Saying #62 OM is called the “taraka mantra”, which means the mantra that helps one to cross the ocean of samsara (repeated births and deaths), also called mundane existence.

Saying #63 OM is the highest flower in the tree of the Upanishads (ancient spiritual texts of ancient Himalayan meditation masters).

Saying #64 OM is the root of the entire universe. OM is udgita (the most sacred of all sound symbols).

Saying #65 OM is the Immortal Soul. OM is the Holy Ghost.

Saying #66 OM is the music of the Soul. OM is the music of the Silence.

Saying #67 OM is your very life. OM is your very breath.

Saying #68 OM is the life of all mantras. OM is the basis of this world. OM is everything. All is centered in OM.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #69 All of the ancient Himalayan Upanishads declare the glory of OM and always praise OM.

Saying #70 OM is the Imperishable. OM is the Immutable. OM is the Supreme Self. OM is Brahman (God).

Saying #71 OM is all manifested planes. OM is all unmanifested planes.

Saying #72 OM is God in Personal form. OM is God in Impersonal form.

Saying #73 OM is God with form. OM is God without form.

Saying #74 OM is body, mind, soul. OM is past, present, future. OM is being, becoming, non-being.

Saying #75 OM is Sat-Chit-Ananda. OM is Truth-Knowledge-Bliss. OM is Creation. OM is Preservation. OM is Dissolution. OM is Being. OM is the Absolute.

Saying #76 OM is Omniscience. OM is Omnipresence. OM is Omnipotence.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #77 OM is the essence of all sixteen major states of consciousness of the human being.

Saying #78 OM is your Sadguru (highest teacher).

Saying #79 OM is your guide and preceptor. Therefore, keep company with OM by chanting this sacred mantra and by meditating on it.

Saying #80 OM prayer (japa) means repetition and contemplation of the Sacred Sound OM, either verbally or mentally, continuously.

Saying #81 OM recitation has a tremendous influence on the mind. The pronunciation of the sacred word OM is one which has engaged the attention of all aspirants (seekers of Truth). The vibration set up by the same word (OM) are powerful.

Saying #82 Chant OM from the bottom of your heart (e.g. sincerely) and with profound feeling. Chant OM knowing its Omniscience, Omnipresence, and Omnipotence.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #83 Enter the ship of OM. Start the propeller. Sail smoothly in the ocean of samsara (repeated births and deaths) with the help of constant meditation.

Saying #84 The person who meditates on OM on a regular basis becomes a spiritual dynamo (positive energy).

Saying #85 The person who meditates on OM radiates joy, peace, and positive power to those who come in contact with him/her.

Saying #86 The person who meditates on OM eventually comes to know the true relationship between mankind and Brahman (God).

Saying #87 You can meditate on OM visually using its written form. This is called Yantra meditation.

Saying #88 You can meditate on OM by just focusing on its sound. This is called Mantra meditation.

Saying #89 You can meditate on OM as silence. This is highly virtuous.

Saying #90 OM will light your path.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #91 The Prasnopanishad declares that the Sacred Syllable OM is the higher and lower Brahman (higher and lower aspects of God). Therefore, the person who knows this, surely attains either of these.

Saying #92 The Kathopanishad declares that the Sacred Syllable OM is both the best support and the highest support.

Saying #93 The Chandogya Upanishad declares that the Sacred Syllable OM ought to be meditated on; the Sacred Syllable OM is immortal and fearless.

Saying #94 In the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna declares “I am the Sacred Syllable (OM).”

Saying #95 The Dalai Lama teaches that the three essential sounds of OM (AUM) constitute purity of body, speech, and mind. So, OM is the sound of one’s Buddha-nature, or Awakened-nature.

Saying #96 The Sacred Syllable OM is the essence of the material/physical plane of existence.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #97 The Sacred Syllable OM is the essence of the astral/emotional plane of existence.

Saying #98 The Sacred Syllable OM is the essence of the causal/mental plane of existence, hence all ideas.

Saying #99 The Sacred Syllable OM is the Absolute plane of existence, beyond all descriptive words.

Saying #100 The Sacred Syllable OM is the focal point of the Mandukya Upanishad which teaches that “all this is OM”.

Saying #101 The Sacred Syllable OM is the focal point of the Mundaka Upanishad which teaches that OM transports consciousness from the external senses to the Internal Self which is at the heart of all living beings.

Saying #102 The Sacred Syllable OM is the essence of Lord Krishna, who spoke the Bhagavad Gita in ancient India in 2500 BCE.

Saying #103 The Sacred Syllable OM is the essence of Lord Buddha, who spoke the Dhammapada in ancient India in 250 BCE.

OM Pocket Guide

Reflection Source: Swami Sivananda

Saying #104 The Sacred Syllable OM is the essence of Lord Jesus (Yeshua) who said “I am the Great Amen.” Amen is a modern form of OM.

Saying #105 Direct realization of Brahman (God) is achieved through OM meditation and OM prayer (japa).

Saying #106 OM is the Oversoul. OM is the Lord of all beings.

Saying #107 OM is Prana. OM is Life-Energy Itself.

Saying #108 OM is Life. OM is Love. OM is Empathy. OM is Forgiveness. OM is Being. OM is Timelessness. OM is Grace. OM is Peace. OM is “all this.” OM is Hum and Amen.

OM Pocket Guide

Ten Essential OM Affirmations

1. OM is the essence of God, the Oversoul.

2. OM is the essence of mankind, the soul.

3. OM is the essence of Source, the Paramatman.

4. OM is the essence of living beings, the atman.

5. OM is the essence of our blissful-nature.

6. OM is the essence of our devotional-nature.

7. OM is the essence of our Buddha-nature.

8. OM is the essence of our Christ-nature.

9. OM is the essence of loving-kindness.

10. OM is the essence of peace and goodwill.

OM Pocket Guide

OM Image in the Sanskrit Language

You can meditate on OM & observe this image. May OM bless you with peace, love, and joy. May OM bless you with wisdom and compassion. OM TAT SAT (OM is “The Truth”, Gita 17:23).

OM Pocket Guide

OM Image in the Tibetan Language

You can meditate on OM & observe this image. May OM bless you with peace, love, and joy. May OM bless you with wisdom and compassion. OM TAT SAT (OM is “The Truth”, Gita 17:23).

OM Pocket Guide

OM Image in the Hindi Language

Thank You

Thank you for reading! May the Sacred Syllable OM bless you always. Best Wishes to you and yours.

Keith

Keith Johnson Senior Technical Writer Senior OM Meditation Practitioner Author, “OM Pocket Guide” October, 2018

OM Pocket Guide

References

1. “Meditation on OM and Mandukya Upanishad”, Published by the Divine Life Society, Rishikesh, India, 2015, Authored by Swami Sivananda. 2. OM Image (Cover), from Microsoft Word. 3. OM Image (Sanskrit), from Microsoft Word. 4. OM Image (Tibetan), from Microsoft Word. 5. Om Image (Hindi), from Microsoft Word. 6. Web, www.biblegateway.com. NT, John 1:1. 7. Web, www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org. Gita, 17:23. 8. Web, www.wikipedia.org. Swami Sivananda.

Books by Keith Johnson

To see additional books written by Keith Johnson, at his Amazon Author page, please go to this web page: http://www.amazon.com/author/techwriterguy