mantra mantras yantra mantra meditation bija mantra shiva mantra gayatri mantra kali mantra mantra sound mantra japa ganesha mantra shakti mantra shanti mantra mantra siddhi guru mantra ganesh mantra hindu mantra durga mantra lakshmi mantra devi mantra chakra mantra goddess mantra mrityunjaya mantra kelty mantra 6 kelty mantra 7 mantra chanting

5. Gross, Subtle, and Causal Planes

Remembering four planes with OM: The OM mantra designates the whole of the universe, including the gross, subtle, and causal planes (realms, or levels) and the absolute reality of which they are a part. The explanation below can sound a bit technical, but this truly is a very practical use of the mantra, once you understand the meaning. It does require working with the mantra and the meaning, but then it becomes clearer and quite insightful.

Four parts of OM: The OM Mantra has four parts. First, is the sound like "Ah," then "Uuuu," then "Mmmm," and finally the silence beyond the mantra. Thus, the mantra is also written as AUM, as well as OM. The three sounds, and the silence have the following meanings:

  1. The A sound refers to the gross world.

  2. The U part refers to the subtle realm.

  3. The M refers to the causal plane, out of which the gross and subtle emerge.

  4. The Silence after these three, refers to the absolute reality that is the substratum for each of the other three realities.

Start slowly in remembering the parts: When using the mantra in this way, it is easiest to begin by remembering the mantra very slowly, allowing time to be aware of each of the levels. Be aware of the four parts of the mantra separately (though forming a continuous sound), something like this:

AaaaaaUuuuuuMmmmmm.....Silence.....

  1. When the "A" of OM mantra arises in the mind field, be aware of the gross world, including the objects of the world, the people, and your own physical being. Actually allow your attention to scan these aspects of the world. Do not get caught up in these objects; just be aware of this level of reality, and then let go of it, so as to go beyond.

  2. When the "U" of OM mantra arises in the mind field, be aware, as best you can of the existence of the subtle or astral realm, including whatever objects you might intuit. As with the gross world, do not get caught up in these objects; just be aware of this level of reality, and then let go of it, so as to go beyond.

  3. When the "M" of OM mantra arises in the mind field, be aware of the causal, the background stillness out of which the subtle and gross emerge, and into which they rest when not active. This can be difficult to imagine. It might help to think of it like being the canvas on which a picture is painted, or the screen on which a movie is projected.

  4. When the Silence comes to the mind field, be aware of the absolute reality that permeates each of the other three layers. This fourth level of the mantra the absolute reality, is experienced in a shallow way at first, and only deepens with continued practice of contemplation and yoga meditation.