So Hum Mantra Meditation For Connection + Belonging

In this practice we will be exploring the mantra SO HUM. So Hum translates to "I AM" and is one of the oldest Sanskrit mantras. In Vedic philosophy it means identifying oneself with the universe or ultimate reality. “I am that, I am all, all is within me, all guides and protects me." Using this mantra can help you to notice the intricate connections that exist in the world around you. You will start to see yourself as a part of all those you come into contact with and as a result can become more compassionate, more understanding and more loving. Music credit: Just Relax by Lesfm from Pixabay

Transcript

Welcome to this meditation. In this practice we will be exploring the mantra So Hum. Soham translates to I am and is one of the oldest Sanskrit mantras. In Vedic philosophy it means identifying oneself with the universe or ultimate reality. I am that, I am all, All is within me, All guides and protects me. Using this mantra can help you to notice the intricate connections that exist in the world around you. You will start to see yourself as a part of all those you come into contact with and as a result you can become more compassionate, More understanding and more loving. To start our practice, Find a nice comfortable seat. Take a moment to really settle down. Make any adjustments to your body that will allow you to be nice and comfortable. Begin to close your eyes and then just take a moment to connect in with your breath. Finding a nice slow breath in. And then a slow breath out. Let's take one more breath together. Nice slow breath in. And then a slow breath out. Now give yourself a moment to just orientate yourself with the space that you're in. So whether your eyes are open or closed, Just really getting a feel for the room. As you sense the room around you, See if you can get an idea of how the four walls surround you. Take a moment to notice the earth beneath you, Your body against the floor. Start to now bring awareness to any sounds that might be drifting into your field of awareness. Notice how some of the sounds, They come and they go. And then to the best of your ability, Just start to release your focus on all of these external things. So everything that you can feel outside of yourself and everything that you can hear. And just allow your focus to drop inward. Taking a moment just to connect to your internal landscape. This could look like bringing awareness to any sensations that are moving through your body. Maybe naming a feeling or an emotion that is sitting with you today. Maybe if it's within your capacity, Just taking a moment to observe any thoughts that might be moving through your mind. And then seeing if you can, Just for a moment, Start to cultivate the practice of allowing. So just allowing yourself to be here with whatever it is that you observe, Regardless of the nature, Trying to move away from any sort of labels of your experience is good or bad, Right or wrong, And simply just acknowledging that your experience is, It is what it is within this moment. Now just bring your attention to your breath. As you connect to your breath, Just take a moment to really absorb all of the details that you notice. Maybe even asking yourself, How do I know that I am breathing? What is it that you can feel or sense about your breath? And as you let your breath move through your body, See if you can start to now just deepen it slightly. So taking an inhale that feels a little fuller. And an exhale that feels a little slow. And inhale that feels a little fuller. And an exhale that feels a little slow. Take a moment just to circle through a few rounds of this conscious yet connected breath. Feeling as the breath moves in and out of your body. And now we're going to start to bring our focus to the main focus of our practice today. Our mantra So Hum. So, Hum. So, Hum. I am. I am. Bye. Begin to silently repeat the mantra. So. Hum. So. Hum. And as you do, Know that any point in time, Your mind starts to wander away from the mantra. And it will wander, As this is the nature of the mind. With gentle kindness and compassion, Just slowly bring your focus back to the mantra. At times, The mantra might get a little bit louder. Might get a little bit softer, It might almost feel distorted within the mind. Just allow this process to happen and continue to repeat the words over and over again. We're now going to move into a period of silence so that you have a little opportunity to drop into this still space. Continue to repeat the mantra over and over and when the time is ready I will slowly call you back. Slowly start to release the mantra. And bring awareness back to your breath. And then as you feel ready, Just take a slow breath in through your nose. And then a full breath out through your mouth. Whenever you feel ready, You can slowly start to open your eyes and just allow the environment around you to come back in. Take note of how you feel within this moment. Becoming aware of any sense of insight or clarity or connection that you might be experiencing. And know that as you move off from this practice, That you have now taken a little seed of stillness from this deeper place within you that you can now ripple out into your day. Be reminded of how you are interconnected to all that surrounds you, That you are one and part of this beautiful universe. Thank you so much for joining me and may the power of stillness ripple out into your day.