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The soham sound can be used as a means of developing awareness. This practice of spontaneous repetition (ajapa-japa) is very effective in controlling the mind. In Buddhism this technique is known as the mindfulness breathing (anapanassati vipassanna). This sound is always with us and remain constant during all states of consciousness: waking, dreaming and deep sleep.
If the awareness of the SOHAM sound can be kept going through the three states of consciousness, then the individual reaches the fourth state called the TURIYA, the final state of enlightenment.
SOHAM Practice:
Sit in any comfortable posture. Keep the mind calm and relaxed. Breathe in slowly and try to hear the SO sound. While breathing out, the HAM sound can also be heard, imagined, or mentally repeated. Try to keep the breath continuous.
With the awareness of breathing comes an awareness of the nature of emotional, psychological, and physical conditioning. When one is aware of the nature of conditioning of the mind one is free from the bonds of attachment. This freedom leads to final union of consciousness (purusha) and energy (prakriti).
The mantra is also inverted from so ‘ham (the sandhi of saḥ + aham) to ham + sa. The combination of so ‘haṃ haṃsaḥ has also been interpreted as “I myself am the Swan”, where the swan symbolizes the Atman.
Sooooo… is the sound of inhalation and is remembered in the mind along with that inhalation.
Hummmm… is the sound of exhalation and is remembered in the mind along with that exhalation.
haṃsa “swan, goose” as from ahaṃ sa “I am that”
Soham-identifies “oneself with the universe or ultimate reality”
सोऽहमस्मि so’ham asmi
Ahaṁ Brahmāsmi (अहम् ब्रह्मास्मि) “I am the Absolute”
