100 OM Meditations by Keith Johnson, MS Education, Spiritual Author. Copyright , Keith Johnson, All Rights Reserved

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2 100 OM Meditations by Keith Johnson, MS Education, Spiritual Author. Copyright , Keith Johnson, All Rights Reserved Namaste! Welcome to the OM Mantra meditation website! My name is Keith Johnson, and this website is about my spiritual path: OM meditation. By day, I write Computer Software documentation, and indeed that is what pays the monthly bills. However, it is one's spiritual life that gives one's life lasting meaning, purpose, and fulfillment. I majored in Philosophy in college because like the Greek Philosophers once taught the unexamined life is not worth living. About ten years ago, my quest for self-understanding led me to an ancient sacred Sanskrit mantra called OM. Essentially, "OM" is a term used to describe the Absolute Plane of Existence, in an ancient school of Indian philosophy called Vedanta. The Indian Yoga Master Patanjali, whose yoga sutras or teachings finally became codified, said that by meditating on OM, you achieve perfect union with the Absolute Truth Itself. Disclaimer: The information posted in this document is not to replace qualified and/or appropriate professional medical, chiropractic, health, legal, medical, business, economic, financial, emotional, psychological, and/or religious advice. This website's only purpose is to share information about the benefits of classical non-dual Vedanta philosophy. By reading ahead, the reader necessarily releases the author and owner of this website from any and all personal and professional liability regarding changes or non-changes in the reader's life that may or may not be directly or indirectly related to the reading of information posted to this website. Thank you. Vedanta Philosophy: Basically, Vedanta philosophy says that everything we experience is simply a manifestation of "transcendental being" called Brahman (all pervading Divine Spirit). Through the OM sound, we can experience Brahman. Externally (through the senses), we experience different things such as people, places, creatures, time, space, and manifest phenomena. However, Brahman is the being and presence that is the source of these phenomena. So, in the same way that rays of the Sun are light and same-energy emanations of the Sun, all living beings are same-energy emanations and expressions of the one, non-dual, unified, and transcendental spiritual source called "Brahman" by Vedanta Masters. Three Great Statements about OM: Here are three awe-inspiring statements about OM, which I have personally taken to heart. "We all have come from OM. Now, we abide in OM. Ultimately, we will all return to OM." - His Holiness Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, India. "OM is the sound that represents our Buddha-Nature." - His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatsu. OM is the original form of Amen Swami Sri Yukteswar, Kriya Yoga Master. Understanding OM: Because our Divine Source is beyond physical form, students once asked Vedanta masters "How can one connect with the Divine source?" The Vedanta masters told them "Just meditate on the OM sound". You see, there is a very real connection between the sound OM and the Absolute Plane of Existence, that which never changes. One can only truly understand this connection by consistently meditating on OM and experiencing this for oneself. According to the late Vedanta Master Swami Sivananda, the OM sound is actually comprised of three letters - AUM - which symbolize the three planes of existence (physical, subtle, and causal) as well as the past, present, and future. So, comprehensively, OM meditation is an acknowledgement of all that exists in the three planes of existence and the three aspects of time. Since nothing exists beyond these parameters, OM is

3 complete. You can chant OM or you simply sit in silence and eventually you will tune into the everpresent Cosmic OM sound vibration which can be heard in the presence of silence itself. Nonduality: When you finally have a chance to study the philosophy of non-dualism, also called monism, you see all things from a unified domain. To put it in simple terms, it is Vedanta philosophy that can transform darkness and ignorance and division into light, wisdom, and unity. The Mandukya Upanishad teaches all this is OM. Humanity s Past: In the dark ages, European scholars thought that the Earth was the center of the Solar System (that the Sun revolved around the earth), that Earth was flat, that there were seamonsters in the Ocean, and that there was a direct sailing route from Spain to India. Ultimately, all were proven false. The Earth revolves around the Sun. The Earth is a sphere. There are no seamonsters in the Ocean. Finally, one must sail around or through the Americas continent to sail from Europe westward to India. Humanity s Present: Spiritually, we are at the same crossroads today in terms of science and theology. Vedanta masters would tell us that we have forgotten important historical truth discovered and understood many years ago. They would say that the interests of kings and rulers over the past 2500 years have pushed important philosophies like Vedanta out of the spotlight and into the backs of libraries because Vedanta is not in the interests of those who seek to divide and conquer. Perhaps only after humanity has experienced several thousand years of pain and suffering - on both personal and collective levels - that Vedanta philosophy can once again have meaning. What is better, division and war or unity and peace? Hopefully, humanity chooses the latter. Sayings about OM: This website presents my thoughts alongside the thoughts of Vedanta Masters who have left us with important sayings about OM. In the same way that I cannot live the life of my son for my son, the masters of the past cannot force us into any specific lifestyle or belief system, nor can they demand we accept a philosophy of oneness and unity. Rather, all they can do is practice this philosophy and hope that their example is enough to inspire others to investigate and see the benefits of such a vantage point. By adopting Vedanta philosophy into my life, I am able to see all people as extended family. Yes, everyone. I am also able to see all creatures as extended pets. 100 OM Meditations: Here are 100 OM meditations that you can practice. Meditation #01: OM can be experienced in silence and stillness. Through meditation that includes both silence and stillness, one can soon begin to experience the OM sound vibration that is all around. This is sound by which one can come to know the Absolute Truth, according to the Patanjali Yoga Sutras (Pada 1, Verses 26, 27, 28). Meditation #02: If your mind is not still and is agitated, you can chant OM quietly, and if need be, use a mala to help with your mantra meditation process. The word mantra means "deliverance from the mind". So, the purpose of the OM mantra is to deliver the practitioner to a state of awareness that is not necessarily listening to the chatter of the mind. Meditation #03: OM is a favorable mantra because it is simple. It is one word. It is one syllable. It is indicative of unity, oneness and non-duality. This is actually the natural state of human consciousness

4 and awareness. Meditation #04: OM is the historical great-grandfather of the word Amen. So, all religions and faiths that use Amen in some way or fashion, ultimately, are invoking a second, third, or latter generation of the original sound invocation, mantra, and spiritual affirmation of OM. Meditation #05: OM is one's actual Guru. Today, there are many men and women who claim to be a Guru. This is incorrect. This is called spiritual egotism. I am not a Guru. Spirit is our Guru, and because OM is the sound that fully and correctly represents the domain of Divine Spirit, Brahman, that means that OM is our Guru. You have a direct relationship with your spiritual source and so chanting OM or meditating on OM immediately connects your awareness with the ever-present transcendental OM sound vibration. Meditation #06: OM symbolizes the past, present and future. Meditation #07: OM symbolizes faith, hope and love. Meditation #08: OM symbolizes the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Meditation #09: OM symbolizes creation, manifestation, and dissolution. Meditation #10: OM symbolizes physical, subtle, and causal planes of existence. Meditation #11: OM symbolizes the three Vedas of Hindu theology. Meditation #12: OM symbolizes three modes of material nature. Meditation #13: OM symbolizes the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. Meditation #14: OM symbolizes wisdom, compassion, and right intention. Meditation #15: OM is one of the names of God in the Jewish Kaballah teachings. Meditation #16: OM is the sound of one's Buddha-nature, according to the 14th Dalai Lama. Meditation #17: OM represents the union of Radha and Krishna (love and devotion). Meditation #18: OM represents the union of Shakti and Shiva (power and transformation). Meditation #19: OM is the essence and root of the word Omnipresence. Meditation #20: OM is the essence and root of the word Omnipotence. Meditation #21: OM is the essence and root of the word Omniscience. Meditation #22: OM is Shabda Yoga - one's uniting with God/Brahman through sound. Meditation #23: OM is the second syllable of the Hebrew word for peace, Shalom. Meditation #24: OM acknowledges Divine creation, manifestation, dissolution, and rest. Meditation #25: OM is called the Pranava, which means "ever new". Meditation #26: All things in the external and mental worlds change, except OM. Meditation #27: Brahman (God) can be known through OM. OM is the producer of light. Meditation #28: The Word was with God and was God. OM was with God and was God. Meditation #29: I AM implies "Being". OM implies "Being". Therefore, I AM = OM. Meditation #30: Jesus said "Before Abraham was, I AM". Therefore, Jesus = OM. Meditation #31: Jesus is OM in the form of Divine Love. Meditation #32: The Dalai Lama teaches that OM represents our Buddha-nature. Meditation #33: OM represents, then, purity of body, speech, and mind. Meditation #34: Buddha is OM in the form of Divine Compassion. Meditation #35: OM is the essence of Shiva: OM Namah Shivaya. Meditation #36: OM is the essence of Avalokitesvara. OM Mani Padme Hum. Meditation #37: OM is the essence of the Taras. OM Tare Tam Soha.

5 Meditation #38: OM is the essence of the Medicine Buddha. Meditation #39: OM is the essence of creation, manifestation, and dissolution. Meditation #40: OM is also the essence of being, beyond all activities and powers. Meditation #41: OM is the direct path to liberation, according to Swami Sivananda. Meditation #42: OM is the conclusion of Sivananda's Moksha Gita (Song of Liberation). Meditation #43: OM is the essence of the Gayatri Mantra, according to Satya Sai Baba. Meditation #44: OM is the monosyllable form of SOHAM and SOHUM (meaning "I AM"). Meditation #45: OM meditation is recommended by Swami Jyotirmayananda. Meditation #46: OM meditation is recommended by Swami Krishnananda. Meditation #47: OM meditation is recommended by Swami Nirmalananda. Meditation #48: OM is the conclusion of the diverse Hindu Upanishads. Meditation #49: OM is the perfect path to liberation, according to Swami Yukteswar. Meditation #50: OM meditation fulfills the first and second Mosaic commandments. Meditation #51: OM is Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita (Hindu holy book). Meditation #52: OM is the original form of Ek Onkar of Sikhism. Meditation #53: OM is the first word of many, many Buddhist mantras. Meditation #54: OM is the first word of many, many Hindu mantras. Meditation #55: OM is the essence of the Bon Buddhist term for paradise "Olmo". Meditation #56: OM is transcendent to all that is manifest. Meditation #57: OM is universal in nature. Meditation #58: OM is Infinity in the form of sound. Meditation #59: OM TAT SAT means "OM: That is the Truth". Meditation #60: OM Shanti means "Peace to you through OM". Meditation #61: OM represents the Absolute Plane of Existence. Meditation #62: OM represents Sat, Chit, Ananda, or Truth, Knowledge, and Bliss. Meditation #63: OM represents music from Krishna's flute. Meditation #64: OM represents music from the sitars of the Hindu gods. Meditation #65: OM represents music from the harmoniums of chanting devotees. Meditation #66: OM represents Shiva's cosmic dance and drumbeat. Meditation #67: OM represents the truth behind all languages. Meditation #68: OM represents the truth behind all theologies. Meditation #69: OM represents the truth behind all musical expression. Meditation #70: OM represents the truth behind all religious ceremonies. Meditation #71: OM has been called, oftentimes, the Voice of the Silence. Meditation #72: OM meditation is recommended by the teachers of Theosophy. Meditation #73: OM is synonymous with the Adi Buddha (Original Buddha). Meditation #74: OM is synonymous with the Adi Purusha (Original Person). Meditation #75: OM is synonymous with the Cosmic Christ (Logos). Meditation #76: OM is what you actually hear with the strum of a regular guitar. Meditation #77: OM is what you actually hear with the strum of a bass guitar. Meditation #78: OM is what you actually hear with the beat of a drum. Meditation #79: OM is what you actually hear when a bird is singing. Meditation #80: OM is what you actually hear when a cat is meowing. Meditation #81: OM is what you actually hear when a dog is barking. Meditation #82: OM is what you actually hear when a person speaks. Meditation #83: OM is what you actually hear when a machine is running.

6 Meditation #84: OM is the essence of spiritual fire. Meditation #85: OM is the essence of healing waters. Meditation #86: OM is the essence and source of light and enlightenment. Meditation #87: OM is the ever-present and ever-new sound that represents Brahman/God. Meditation #88: OM is the essence of the word "Omega". Meditation #89: OM is the second syllable of the word "Kingdom". Meditation #90: OM symbolizes Divine Spirit, beyond all physical attributes. Meditation #91: OM symbolizes Divine Presence, beyond all perceivable movement. Meditation #92: OM symbolizes Divine Being, beyond all actions and reactions. Meditation #93: OM meditation is recommended by Swami Chidananda. Meditation #94: OM meditation is recommended by Swami Sat Chit Ananada. Meditation #95: OM meditation is recommended by Swami Chinmayananda. Meditation #96: OM meditation is recommended by Swami Omkarananda. Meditation #97: OM meditation is recommended by Swami Nirmilananda. Meditation #98: OM meditation is an integral practice among Kriya Yogis. Meditation #99: OM meditation is an integral practice among Hatha Yogis. Meditation #100: OM meditation is an integral practice among Tibetan Buddhist monks and lamas. True Refuge: The Sacred Sound OM is a true refuge because there is no form associated with OM. You do not need an elaborate ceremony, clergy, books, texts, documents, candles, statues, or anything like that. You do not need the permission of any other human being to meditate on OM. Satya Sai Baba taught that OM is the divine birthright of all human beings. All you need to do is chant OM for protection and blessings from the many self-realized masters who have gone before us. When you chant OM or meditate on OM, the divine energies protect you from any dangers associated with the material modes of nature associated with passion and ignorance. OM is a true spiritual refuge. In the Sacred Sound OM, the presence and blessings of Christ and the Buddha and all fully realized masters are there as well. So, you may think that you walk alone in this material world as a person. But that is just the outward appearance of the senses, which cannot perceive Truth on the Absolute Plane. Sound is man's definitive connection with Brahman/Divine Spirit. OM meditation and contemplation ensures our protection against forces and beings overshadowed by darkness, affliction, and ignorance. Which is Better - Silent OM meditation, or chanting OM? All spiritual teachers will tell you to begin with verbal chanting. This allows your mind and body to feel the full sound vibration of OM as it is invoked. Once your awareness shifts to a lasting appreciation for OM and you naturally contemplate OM in your heart and mind, then you need not continue chanting. The goal here is to learn to center in that which is always present and where we find our true refuge, being, peace, and sense of unity with the world around us. The Sacred OM sound vibration has always been there and always will be there. Like Swami Sivananda once wrote "We have come from OM. During this lifetime, we abide in OM. After, we return to OM." So, all things in the external world - jobs, social status, friends, family, experiences, happiness and sorrow, optimism and lack of optimism, successful endeavors and unsuccessful endeavors, health, and wealth - are marked by temporality. They do not last. Even the ruins of ancient civilizations in rocks and clay cement will give way to the elements at some point. Eventually, they will fade away like the clouds of the sky. However, if you close your eyes, listen and relax, you will hear OM. You could be on a mountain range or in an office somewhere. OM is perceivable in both places. According to the Himalayan Yogis and Meditation Masters, OM is a

7 transcendental sound that is causeless it exists alone without any cause. OM is our way of experiencing the Divine directly without any cultural, political, financial, or economic bias. In the same way that rivers all go into the sea and ocean, all living beings eventually merge into the Infinite Spiritual Ocean of OM. So, OM is the final and transcendental resting place of all living beings. This is the conclusion of many great Vedanta, Buddhist, and Kriya Yoga Masters. Sayings of Buddha: In everyday life, it is the teachings of the Buddha that have empowered me to new levels of compassion, wisdom, understanding, and equanimity. There is no doubt in my mind that the Buddha had merged his consciousness and awareness with OM during his lifetime. For the Buddha, OM conferred unlimited compassion and goodwill toward all living beings. Here are a few sayings of the Buddha that have stuck with me over the years. 1. "Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without." 2. "Desires flow like the waters of a river." 3. "Pray for all living beings with the mantra Om Mani Padme Hum." 4. "Take the middle path in all endeavors and activities." Sayings of Christ: I am inspired how Swami Sri Yukteswar of the Kriya Yoga movement says in his book HOLY SCIENCE how OM is the original sound form of Amen. So, since Christ says in the Bible that he is the great Amen, this means he is the Sacred OM Sound as well. This is true spiritual alignment and harmony, for sure. 1. Blessed are those who seek righteousness. 2. Blessed are the merciful. 3. Blessed are the pure in heart. 4. Blessed are the peacemakers. Summary: For me, OM says it all. OM is an absolute refuge that embodies all the love of Christ, compassion of Buddha, and more. OM is universal in nature and OM connects one, existentially, with all living beings and of course Divine Spirit Itself. I hope you have enjoyed the content of this site and that it has challenged your ideas about Truth and the path of Divine union, oneness and peace. Feel free to print out this web page, study it, research it, and get to know these teachings closer. Again, this site is my spiritual gift to you and may this site help you through any doubts or challenges you face in your spiritual path. OM Mani Padme Hum! OM Tare Tam Soha! OM Namah Shivaya! OM Shanti! Keith Johnson, M.S. Education Senior Technical Writer & Spiritual Author South Florida, USA greatdocumentation@gmail.com Thank You for reading and Namaste.