The Word That is God

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Swami Swahananda “The Natha Yogis specialized in the worship of Om along with that of Shiva. To them, Om is the first sound, the most elementary sound, the one unproduced, undifferentiated natural sound, the most spontaneous self-expression of energy or power in audible form. Om is the Name of the Supreme. Every uttered sound is particular, produced from the strokes of the vocal organs, and broken into parts. But Om is an anahata-nada, a universal continuous sound behind all broken sounds. It is in the heart, and the search for it is the search for Brahman. The steady and drawn out repetition of Om is prescribed as an effective help in this search. According to the Natha Yogis, the heart, the seat of the anahata sound, is not located in any particular part of the body, but gradually shifts from lower yogic centers to the higher ones and ultimately to the sahasrara where union of Shakti with Shiva is attained. Om, again, has been identified with the three gunas–sattva, raja and tamas–which constitute the world. It is also regarded as the original bija-akshara, or syllable source.” (Mother Worship by Swami Swahananda, p. 46) I. K. Taimni Dr. I. K. Taimni had a doctorate in chemistry, but was also a profound student of physics–Western and Oriental. Beside this, he was the head of the worldwide Esoteric Section of the Theosophical Society (Adyar), and as such was spiritual guide to many aspirants throughout the world. The following is taken from his excellent commentary on the Yoga Sutras, The Science of Yoga. “The result of japa and meditation on the Pranava is the gradual disappearance of the obstacles which lie in the path of the yogi. These obstacles are of various kinds–impurities and disharmonies in the vehicles, weaknesses of character, lack of development, etc. But Pranava, as we have seen, touches the very heart of our being, arouses in the microcosm vibrations which can bring out from it all the latent powers and faculties which lie sleeping there. So all obstacles, whatever their nature, yield to its dynamic stimulation. The deficiencies are made up by the growth of the corresponding faculties or the flow of additional power. The impurities are washed away. The disharmonies in the vehicles are smoothed out and the vehicles become attuned to one another and to the Supreme Consciousness of Ishwara. And so a complete regeneration of the individuality takes place, a regeneration which makes it fit to tread the path of Ashtanga Yoga or Ishwara Pranidhana. … “The seven Sutras from 1:23 to 1:29 form, in a way, a separate set giving the technique of the path of mysticism on which the aspirant goes direct to his goal without studying and mastering the intermediate planes which separate him from the object of his search. On this path self-surrender is the only weapon, and in using this weapon japa and meditation on the Pranava constitute the sole technique. The japa and meditation turn the consciousness of the aspirant right about in the direction of his goal, remove all the obstacles, and self-surrender does the rest.” Dr. Taimni also wrote Gayatri, a study of the Savitri Mantra, the ancient prayer for enlightenment recited daily by Hindus. Since Om is an essential part of that mantra, both beginning and ending it, he has this to say: “The purpose of [Om] as already pointed out is to arouse the spiritual powers which are 86
latent in the heart of every human being and which can be changed from the potential to the active form by the potency inherent in sound. Every Jivatma is a microcosm which contains within itself in a potential form all the powers and faculties which function actively and in their fullness in Paramatma, the macrocosm, just as a seed contains within itself the tree in a potential form. Not only can all the powers and faculties which are functioning in Paramatma gradually find expression in the Jivatma through its evolution but as these powers appear progressively the consciousness which is manifesting through the Jivatma expands and becomes more and more one with the consciousness of Paramatma. “Pranava, Om, can hasten this process through the mantra shakti which is inherent in this particular combination of sounds. It is not an ordinary mantra with a limited objective and scope. Its power is the most comprehensive and fundamental among all the mantras. It affects the very heart of the Jivatma and the most important and fundamental relation existing in Nature, namely, the relation between the Jivatma and Paramatma. It is the vachaka of Ishwara as indicated in the well-known sutra: Tasya vachakah Pranavah (1:27). …Since Pranava is the vachaka of Ishwara the powers which can be aroused in the sadhaka and the expansion of his consciousness which can thereby take place are practically unlimited. “The whole of our religious literature is full of references to Pranava and its importance in the unfoldment of spiritual consciousness. In fact, practically the whole of the Mandukya Upanishad is a commentary on the nature of Pranava.” Swami Vivekananda “The goal of the universe is to realize oneness with the ‘Om’ or One Existence.” (Jnana Yoga, section III) “Om is the greatest [mantra], meaning the Absolute.” (The Four Paths of Yoga) “The underlying reality of nature, soul, and God is Brahman; but It (Brahman) is unseen, until we bring It out. It may be brought out by Pramantha or friction, just as we can produce fire by friction. The body is the lower piece of wood, Om is the pointed piece and Dhyana (meditation) is the friction. When this is used, that light which is the knowledge of Brahman will burst forth in the soul.” (Inspired Talks, Sunday morning, July 7) “Japa is repeating the Holy Name; through this the devotee rises to the Infinite. This boat of sacrifice and ceremonies is very frail. We need more than that to know Brahman, which alone is freedom. Liberty is nothing more than destruction of ignorance, and that can only go when we know Brahman. It is not necessary to go through all these ceremonials to reach the meaning of the Vedanta. Repeating Om is enough.” (Inspired Talks, Monday, July 8) “Ishwara is the Atman as seen or grasped by mind. His highest name is Om; so repeat it, meditate on it, and think of all its wonderful nature and attributes. Repeating the Om continually is the only true worship. It is not a word, it is God Himself.” (Inspired Talks, Sunday, July 21) “The more you practice [repetition of Om joined with the breath] the calmer you will be. Just think of ‘Om’ and you can practice even while you are sitting at your work. You will be all 87
Page 1 and 2:
The Word That is God Scriptures and
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Contents Foreword..................
Page 6 and 7:
The Scriptures on Om The Vedas The
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Syllable [Asvara]; Asvara which is
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If we would become immortal and unc
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for that is the true(r) Om. Om is I
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Om does not reveal all things as an
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stabilize his consciousness within
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source from which it has been separ
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of the all, for his final repose. W
Page 22 and 23:
of the Vedas. When creation is with
Page 24 and 25:
consciousness absorbed in Me. Then
Page 26 and 27:
Meditation, the method by which we
Page 28 and 29:
Although there is a tremendous amou
Page 30 and 31:
propeller which is in the form of l
Page 32 and 33:
Itself often called “darkness”
Page 34 and 35:
Brahman] are praised, worshipped, a
Page 36 and 37: mind along with all the pranas, kno
Page 38 and 39: thoughts emanating from the subcons
Page 40 and 41: is verily ‘this Brahman’ which
Page 42 and 43: The Paramahansa Parivrajaka Upanish
Page 44 and 45: as a metaphysical magnet, drawing t
Page 46 and 47: Prana not only means breath or the
Page 48 and 49: Om is the very image-manifestation
Page 50 and 51: evolving consciousness, from a germ
Page 52 and 53: “Whoever at the end of the three-
Page 54 and 55: Agni Purana “That man is no other
Page 56 and 57: Pranava.” (Linga Purana 91:71) Ma
Page 58 and 59: Kailashasamhita 14:14, 15) “Om is
Page 60 and 61: they were revealed to the Rishis on
Page 62 and 63: Omkara Smarana Stotra 46 1) The Sup
Page 64 and 65: the mind and they are the obstacles
Page 66 and 67: Anonymous Commentator on Shankara
Page 68 and 69: Supreme Power of Divine Knowledge w
Page 70 and 71: that only one of these many-the one
Page 72 and 73: unwavering in that Giver of Peace.
Page 74 and 75: through every power of your body. L
Page 76 and 77: eside themselves, their joy knew no
Page 78 and 79: himself in the Supreme Brahman.”
Page 80 and 81: it, we rise higher into a state of
Page 82 and 83: means for the attainment of Brahman
Page 84 and 85: Sureshwaracharya “Om is the essen
Page 88 and 89: the better for it.” (Raja Yoga, C
Page 90 and 91: “That which is manifested by the
Page 92 and 93: “God is the Syllable Om.” (Svet
Page 94 and 95: hidden God, as it were.” (Svetasv
Page 96 and 97: “The threefold worlds and the ent
Page 98 and 99: firmly established in the four-fold
Page 100 and 101: Self.” (Tarasara Upanishad) “I
Page 102 and 103: means for the attainment of Brahman
Page 104 and 105: “The sun is the form of Om.” (L
Page 106 and 107: “In this connection they cite the
Page 108 and 109: “Having confined the mind in the
Page 110 and 111: Om confers all true and worthwhile
Page 112 and 113: scriptures and remains as consistin
Page 114 and 115: aspire for emancipation. …He who
Page 116 and 117: is the auspicious entity where all
Page 118 and 119: the better for it.” (Swami Viveka
Page 120 and 121: “One attains samadhi by piercing
Page 122 and 123: Akshara: Imperishable; indestructib
Page 124 and 125: who pervades all things. He Who dwe
Page 126: Turiya: The state of pure conscious
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The Word That is God

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