Which Mantra? So Hum or I am that I am or Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh?

In my salad days, when I was green in judgment, I did a lot of experimenting with ceremonial magick and the likes. As is often the case, I got to the point of hubris and attempted to boldy go where I wasn't yet equipped to go. The upshot of this was that I ended up going around the bend and had to bring myself back. I did this mainly by taking myself off to the islands for 3 months. Every morning, after my walk down the beach. I'd spend an hour meditating and chanting the mantra EHYEH ASHER EHYEH. This is the original Hebrew for I AM THAT I AM, the answer god gave when Moses asked via the burning bush who he was.

A few years ago, I came across one of Deepak Chopra's books where he mentions the mantra SO HUM. This is in it's very essence the same as the other two I had been reciting for years. Although I still use the I AM THAT I AM version when I'm feeling dramatic (nothing more fun than standing with arms outstretched chanting in a sonorous voice), I now generally prefer the Sanskrit version for my daily meditation. All of these mantras bring about the union between your self and the divine, but I like the naturalness of the SO HUM mantra. It's called the universal mantra because of the fact that its vibration is already a part of the breath, and everybody breathes. Sooooo... is the sound of inhalation, and Hummmm... is the sound of exhalation. Simple.

A Mantra is a sound repeated over and over until it becomes one with your mind and pushes you into an altered state of consciousness. In a state of higher awareness, you can connect with your soul and ultimately with divine consciousness. The repetition of a mantra, no matter what language, is the easiest way to focus on sound and your breath and clear your mind of all other distractions.

The main reason for reciting the SO HUM mantra (or I AM THAT I AM or EYHEH ASHER EYHEH) is to get aligned with your divine nature. Other benefits that come with regular practice are relaxation, peace and self-healing.

How to do a SO HUM meditation?
Find a comfortable posture for meditation, either sitting with a straight spine or lying down in the corpse position. Put your hands in gyan mudra
and focus on the rhythm of your breathing. Once your breathing is regular, say SOO silently to yourself whilst inhaling. As you exhale, say HUMM. Keep focussing on your breath whilst silently repeating the mantra. Let your mind become absorbed in the sound of SO HUM and your actual breath. If any thoughts arise, let them come and let them go. Just refocus on the mantra. Keep breathing smoothly.

I also use this mantra if I'm getting stressed out in public. One of my pet peeves is getting stuck behind a bunch of slow or non-moving people on narrow pavements. It's no use telling myself that these people are just being sociable and that this is a good thing; my blood starts boiling. I can't raise my arms and start chanting I AM THAT I AM in deep sonorous tones (well, I could and I guess it would have the desired effect), but silently focussing on the SO HUM mantra offers a civilized and silent alternative to quietly balance my energies.