A U M (OM): U

This is an overview of the U aspect of the A-U-M

The A-U-M (OM) chant encompasses and empowers the psycho-mental make-up of the individual. There is ‘Wakefulness’. There is ‘Active Unconscious(ness)’. There is the ‘Deep Sleep’. Respectively, these states correspond to A, U, and M. The ‘U’ is the state of active unconscious functioning. It is associated with the ‘non-self’ perception of reality. Desire, as an aspect of ‘U’, is a feeling through which many people project thoughts and intentions outwardly. U, as active unconsciousness, is part of the dream stage. This engages the subtle body. The God/Goddess quality of the ‘U’ is reflected through Vishnu / Lakshmi. ‘U’, as part of A-U-M, facilitates projecting onto individual reality.

People navigate extant reality in different ways. These ways morph throughout the day. The early day person may present in a manner that does not resemble that of the night person. What A-U-M exhibits are the phases (with associated gradations) that can exist within the psyche of an individual. This also has implications of how people interact with each other. Thinking about something is not the same as doing. Desiring something can become stagnant but is a step beyond thinking about it.

Thoughts may appear within the specific framework of an individual. The cognitive processes are the beginning of potential events that (could) take place within the specific sphere of that individual. This is wakefulness. Yet, a continuing cascade ensues from here. Desires result from the cognitive impetus. Desire, as such, can summarily follow the thought but it may also develop at a later time. This is active unconscious. Action is the resultant following through on a desire. The act, itself, is the culmination of the processional cascade. This is the deep sleep phase that is reflective of cessation of completion. This cycle culminates in a pause. The pause sets the stage for a repetition of the cycle of A-U-M.

U as active unconscious functioning. Active unconsciousness is the incidence of caring on with various activities whilst giving them little to no consideration. This is the ‘auto-pilot’ mode. The individual gives little attention to what they may doing or have done. Awareness of situations of that are occurring around them may be minimal. This awareness does not really extend beyond the level of survival. On a spiritual level, unconsciousness is associated with the mundane existence. Accepting the the world of the 5 senses as the totality of reality. U as the non-self of (perceived) reality.

U as Desire. To desire something is to seek for external substantiation. One shops. One hangs out with their friends and associates. One longs to be what they may not be or do something that is not reflective of their actual character. From an ungrounded perspective, this manner of approaching existence may provide benefits or gratification for a limited time. It may also taint inner recesses of of the individual’s psyche. Whereas approaching desire from a healthy perspective can be supportive and uplifting to one’s well being. Desire can be inspirational towards the accomplishing a goal. Desire can lead to adopting more positive habits and routines. Desires is the longing to put cognition into a workable frame.

One U as the dream stage and engaging the subtle body. Most dreams are pictorial presentations drawn from the unconscious. This is why many people have difficulty in recalling their dreams. Many are unconscious when in the dream state. They remember dreaming but they do not usually remember the dream to any appreciable degree. Dreams are also reverberations of the subtle body being brought to the fore. In working with the subtle body, things like meditation and dream journaling will be of significant import in that endeavor. The unconscious can be made more conscious and the awareness can be more fully expanded through the use of the aforementioned techniques.

Vishnu / Lakshmi Vishnu enacts a sustaining effect on reality as the preserver of the universe(s). He often intervenes to
assist humans and the other gods in fighting the demons and other forces of evil. At times he does this by reincarnating into the universe as human or animal. Vishnu descended into world to be born, live, suffer, and die here. Lakshmi, as his wife / consort provides fortune and prosperity of all forms, spiritual and material. for the individual. She came into being as a grown individual and bestowed upon the Gods the Elixir of Life and Immortality. Thus, we see that these two holy individuals work to sustain the reality.

The U sound encompasses and is emblematic of a steady state. This is the point during the A-U-M chant that facilitates a feeling of sustained resiliency and continuity. The individual psyche is comfortable at this point. Personally, the author has the ‘desire’ to want to remain at this point in the chant. The process of chanting A-U-M, by default, does not allow one to rest in one state. The cycle cannot stop or be stopped at one state. Just as a bicycle tire must continually roll to facilitate the transportation from a to b (and back again). The U sound can be instrumental in the individual bring consistency to their own journey knowledge and beneficent acquisitions of material and spiritual nature.