When we’re feeling down or troubled we find it hard to relax. We fill our mind with so many “What If’s” so that instead of focusing on a resolution, we let ourselves get blown away by negativity. Guess where that gets us?
Nowhere.
So instead of letting negativity take control of your life, try a bit of ancient wisdom to help get you back in focus: Meditation.
What is meditation?
Meditation or “Dhyana” has been around for thousands of years, the earliest written records of it dates back around 1500 BCE from the Hindu traditions of Vedantism.
It is the art of resting the mind and attaining a state of consciousness within. Meditation is not simply concentrating or fantasizing---meditation is a state of thoughtless awareness, a way to calm our minds with the help of chanting the Om.
What is the OM?
Om is known as the sound of the universe. According to the Hindu Mandukya Upanishad, “Om is the one eternal syllable of which all that exists is but a development. The past, present and future are all included in this one sound and all that exists beyond the three forms of time is also implied in it”
To put it simply, Om is said to be the sound that symbolizes the stages of creation and life.
The Symbol
Om sound is called “Pranava” in the Sanskrit and the name of the character that represents it is Omkar.
Interestingly, this character has a profound meaning to it that is definitive of the whole concept of Om, read on…
The Bottom Left Curve: The A that begins the O Sound
This is representative of our moving mind, and is the biggest one as this is the state that we’re mostly at. It is said that its tapered form is indicative that it’s hard for us to determine if the mind is moving and where the boundaries separating our true self and worldly things begin.
The Right Curve: The U that finishes the O Sound
This part is symbolic of focusing on one thing at a time. The curve is an almost circle, the little gap representing one of the main pillar of yoga practice, redefining the world while engaging and experiencing it at the same time.
Top Left Curve: The M Sound
This represents the mind after the second curve’s reconstruction of our identities to help us recognize our true self. This state of freedom and clarity is known as “Vairagya”.
Notice that the curve is similar to the first curve but it does not taper; this is indicative of the wisdom of knowing the lines that separates the inner formless self and the finite and ever changing non-self.
The Dot: Silence after the Sound
The dot symbolizes the infinite non-thing or “Isvara” In ancient yogic philosophy it is representative of the infinite that is found in every being which is also inseparable from the infinite that underlines everything in the universe.
The placement of the dot is indicative that we need the body and the mind in order to reach freedom.
Horizontal Curve: Two Way Mirror
This represents our failed attempts to find happiness as we have a tendency to define it with the aid of material things. The curve makes us realize that when we define happiness by worldly possessions, we only see a reflection of more things, thus we cannot find contentment.
The curve invites us to look inward and see what lies within for it is only then that we will see the clarity and truth.
Meditation is a great way to condition our minds and see the bigger picture. Knowing that there is more to living than just the challenges we encounter makes us realize that most of our worries not as large as they seem.
Remind yourself to take things one step at a time with our Sacred Geometry Om Mandala Necklace, and remember, take life in stride. Grab your necklace here.
Source: Kripalu via Huffington Post
