The sound Om, has three simple phonemes, A-U-M and a fourth state silence. The fourth state is called Turiya, the superconscious state, the absolute Brahman. The three sounds denote the states of walking, dreaming and deep sleep and the aspects of divinity that are involved in the processes of manifestation, preservation and annihilation. The Upanishads say that the Om is the bow, the individual is the arrow, and the Supreme Consciousness, Brahman, is the target. One should shoot carefully, like a skilled archer, while being completely absorbed in the goal—Brahman-consciousness. Unless the student understands the meaning of OM as described in the various Upanishads, various repetitions in meditation become mechanical and boring. If its meaning has been properly contemplated and if the student is attuned to the sound, then during meditation this sound leads him to the realization of higher dimensions of life. Success on this path is not easy. Constant awareness, guidance from a competent teacher and faith in and total surrender to the absolute Reality lead the aspirant to the highest goal of life.

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