OM represents the Self which is the Supreme Nondual Reality. The Self isknown in four states, namely, the waking state, the dreamstate, the deep-sleep state, and the fourth state called the turiya.All these states are represented in the three sounds of OM (i.e., A, U, M), andthe silence that follows and surrounds the syllable.
The sound A represents the waking state he sound U represents thedream state, and the sound M represents the deep sleep state.
The waking state is superimposed on the A sound because it is the first ofthe three states of consciousness, and so is the sound A the very first of theletters of the alphabet – in all languages. The dream is but a view within themind of the impressions that had reflected on the surface of the mental lakeduring the waking state. Besides, the dream state occurs between the waking andthe deep-sleep state, and comes second among the three states of consciousness.And so, U, being next to A in order of sounds, and also since it is between Aand M, is treated as representing the dream state. On the M sound of OM issuperimposed the deep-sleep state. The comparison between the last sound of theOM and sleep lies in that it is the closing sound of the syllable, just as deepsleep is the final stage of the mind in rest.
A short pregnant silence isinevitable between two successive OMs. On this silence is superimposed the ideaof the fourth state, known as turiya. This is the state of Perfect Blisswhen the individual Self recognises the identity with the Supreme.
The sound A represents the waking state he sound U represents thedream state, and the sound M represents the deep sleep state.
The waking state is superimposed on the A sound because it is the first ofthe three states of consciousness, and so is the sound A the very first of theletters of the alphabet – in all languages. The dream is but a view within themind of the impressions that had reflected on the surface of the mental lakeduring the waking state. Besides, the dream state occurs between the waking andthe deep-sleep state, and comes second among the three states of consciousness.And so, U, being next to A in order of sounds, and also since it is between Aand M, is treated as representing the dream state. On the M sound of OM issuperimposed the deep-sleep state. The comparison between the last sound of theOM and sleep lies in that it is the closing sound of the syllable, just as deepsleep is the final stage of the mind in rest.
A short pregnant silence isinevitable between two successive OMs. On this silence is superimposed the ideaof the fourth state, known as turiya. This is the state of Perfect Blisswhen the individual Self recognises the identity with the Supreme.