Greetings, my name is Purusha Hickson and it is my privilege and pleasure to welcome you to The Vedantic Center’s So Hum - Meditation Practice.

Swamini Turiyasangitananda said, when we inhale - the breath makes the sound of ‘So,” and when we exhale - it makes the sound of ‘Hum.’ This ancient sound formula, also known as a mantra, translates from Sanskrit to English as, “You and I are One.”

While breathing throughout the day, we unconsciously make the sound of So Hum over 21,000 times. Swamini said, it's like having a key to a stately mansion but believing you are homeless. She told us to become aware of So Hum. This mantra, if repeated consciously and regularly, has the potential to unlock doors within us that lead to higher states of consciousness.

This meditation practice is designed in three steps. Step One is approximately 2 minutes long. Step Two, approximately 3 minutes. Step Three, approximately 4 minutes. You can practice the steps individually, or mix and match as you like. The final version combines all three, and after the full 9 minutes, the music sound track in the background continues for another 21 minutes, so you can sit for a full 30 minutes, should you like.

You’ll want to find a comfortable seated position - on a chair or on the floor. The instructions will be for individuals on chairs but if you're sitting on the floor you’ll still be able to easily follow. So let’s get started!