The Art Of Coming Back To Yourself

What happens when you give your mind just two sounds to focus on? In this meditation, we'll explore So Hum, an ancient Sanskrit mantra traditionally associated with the meaning "I am That." By pairing these two sounds with the natural rhythm of your breath, you'll practice focusing your attention, creating space between your thoughts, and reconnecting with the present moment. With gentle guidance, simple repetition, and plenty of room for stillness, this practice is an invitation to step away from the constant mental noise and experience what happens when you simply allow yourself to be. Because coming back to yourself doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes, it begins with a single breath.

Transcript

Hello there. Have you been feeling particularly busy or perhaps doing everything for everybody but yourself? This is a meditation for you to call back some of that. Because we spend so much of our lives defining ourselves by everything we do. I'm a mom. I'm a wife. I'm a friend. I'm a husband. I'm the responsible one, The problem solver, The person who somehow knows where everyone else's stuff is, But I can never find my own keys. If that sounds familiar, You are not alone. We are constantly showing up for everyone else and everything. But I want to ask you something. Who are you when nobody needs anything from you? When there's nothing to accomplish, Nobody to impress, And no role you need to play. Today we're going to explore that question through a beautiful meditation called Sohum. Sohum is an ancient Sanskrit mantra, Often translated as, I am that. In yogic philosophy, It points to our connection with something greater than the roles and identities we carry. I love that because sometimes we get so caught up in what we do that we forget to experience who we are. So for the next few minutes, We're going to practice simply being. And we'll use two sounds to anchor our attention. I'll explain as we go. But just so you know, As you breathe in, You'll silently repeat so. And as you breathe out, You'll silently repeat, Hum. And if your mind wanders at any point, That's okay. Just notice the thought, Come back to Soham. Now allow your body to become still. Shift whatever needs to be let go. Let your shoulders relax, Soften your jaw. If you'd like to close your eyes, You can. If you want to just soften them. On a fixed point, You can do that too. And begin to notice your breath. Just follow it in. And out as you settle here. Take a nice long, Slow inhale in through the nose. Side of the mouth. Breathe in through the nose. Sigh out. Now we're going to begin to introduce that Soha Mantra soon. Remembering that it means I am that. And for this practice, You don't need to analyze its meaning. Just allow the sounds to follow your breathing. So let's begin. Release all of the air out of your nose. Breathe in so. Exhale out, Hum. So, Home. So Home. So. . . Home. Let the breath move naturally, The mantra will move with it Find a rhythm that feels good to you. I will mind the time. Concentrate on that breath. And on the mantra. So. . . Home. So. . . Home. Now continue on your own. So. . . Home. So, Home. Now gently release the mantra. Continue breathing. Notice what comes up when you stop repeating the words. And just notice the breath. Just feel yourself sitting here. Just notice. Whatever comes up. Take a nice long slow inhale in. And let that go. This practice was simple on purpose. We don't need much to come back to ourselves, Just our breath and perhaps an anchor for our attention. You can come back to this anytime you need to just reconnect with yourself. Or if you just need a quiet moment. Take another inhale in. Slow exhale out. You can sit here longer if you'd like, Or you can start to come back, Wiggling your fingers, Your toes, Moving your body, Maybe shaking your head yes and no. And then when you're ready, You can come back and open your eyes. And enjoy this day, Maybe feeling just a little bit more like yourself and knowing that you that you can do something just for you. Thank you for meditating with me and have a beautiful day.