The omkara is the manifestation through sound of the highest consciousness or highest light.

In India devotees gather before dawn in sacred temples to chant twenty-one Oms. It’s a powerful practice that elevates the mind and brings a deep connection with the Divine. The Om symbol represents states of consciousness. Practice of the repetition of Om or Omkara elevates the mind and raises the vibrations through the states of consciousness into the highest awareness. It helps to focus and calm the wayward mind. This practice of repeating the twenty-one Oms,  done first thing in the morning will transform the day. To do this practice, find a quiet place to sit where you will not be disturbed. A mala or prayer beads may help to keep track of the twenty-one Oms.

Take a deep breath to fill the lungs from the top down into the diaphragm until the belly pushes out. Begin to chant the sound of Om. The sound is composed of three letters – AUM. It evolves as the sound moves from the A to the U and finishes in the head with the deep vibrations of the M.

The lower portion of the Om symbol represents waking consciousness. The part that circles back signifies the state of dream sleep. While the top portion that circles upward represents higher consciousness. These are the three states of awareness that we move through during the day. The half circle at the very top represents the veil of illusion or “maya.” The point above it represents the point of merging with all in a state of oneness.

In this practice, take a deep breath. As the sound rises let the mind trace the symbol from the bottom to the top as the sound moves upward. This is a powerfully elevating practice and a sure way to focus the mind and start the day with elevated consciousness. It activates the breath. Sitting with a group to do the practice in a sacred space multiplies its potency.  The real proof of a practice lies in doing it. Try it for a day, a week, a month or a year and watch how the mind transforms.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life. A visionary and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices at the Sophia Institute and other venues in the U.S. and Europe. Her mind/body/spirit articles, essays and stories appear in publications around the globe and were broadcast by BBC World Services Radio. She has spent over fifteen years practicing meditation, working with dreams and doing spiritual practices. Visit her online at http://www.awakeintheworld.com.