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

Practice of the repetition of Om or Omkara elevates the mind and raises the vibrations. It helps to focus on and calm the wayward mind. The Om symbol,  represents the various states of consciousness. This practice of repeating the twenty-one Oms,  done first thing in the morning will transform the day. 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 Om symbol represents states of consciousness. The lower portion 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 followed by the dot 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.

As the sound rises let the mind trace the symbol from the bottom to the top as the sound moves up. This is a powerfully elevating practice and a sure way to focus the mind and start the day with elevated consciousness.

Bio: Debra Moffitt is the award winning author of Awake in the World: 108 Practices to Live a Divinely Inspired Life and “Garden of Bliss: Cultivating the Inner Landscape for Self-Discovery” (Llewellyn Worldwide, February 2013). A visionary, dreamer and teacher, she’s devoted to nurturing the spiritual in everyday life. She leads workshops on spiritual practices, writing and creativity in the U.S. and Europe. More at http://www.awakeintheworld.com and on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/DebraMoffittAwakeintheWorld