Chapter 12 Mystery of Sound

Let's begin with a fundamental insight. Patanjali believed—and he not only believed, he actually knew—that sound is a fundamental element of the universe. Just as physicists say the electron is the most fundamental element, yogis say sound is the most fundamental element. In a sense, they agree with each other's point.

Physicists say sound is simply a transformation of electricity. Yogis say electricity is simply a change in sound. Both are correct. Sound and electricity are two forms of the same phenomenon, which, to me, remains unknown and will always remain unknown. All we know is merely a transformation of this unknown phenomenon. You might call it an electron, or you might call it sound, or like Heraclitus you might call it fire, or like Lao Tzu you might call it water: it's up to you. But in any case, these phenomena are all transformations from this intangible phenomenon. This intangible will continue to remain unknown.

For a yogi, electricity holds no meaning. He dedicates himself to the laboratory of his inner nature. There, sound has more significance, because through sound he can alter many inner phenomena and their internal electrical currents. Yogis call these prana—inner bioenergy or bioelectricity. Through sound, it can be instantly transformed.

That's why, when you listen to classical music, you feel a special tranquility surrounding you: the energy within your body changes. Listening to a madman speak makes you feel like you're about to go mad yourself: because the madman's body is in a state of chaotic electrical current, and his words and voice carry that current to you. Sitting next to an enlightened being, in an instant you feel everything within you fall into the same rhythm. In an instant, you feel a different kind of energy rising from within you.

Therefore, sound is not merely a physical vibration; it is a direct, fundamental force capable of tuning and reshaping inner energy (Prana). It is on this profound understanding that Patanjali introduced the sound "Aum" as a core tool for meditation and healing. This is why Patanjali said that repeatedly chanting "Aum" and meditating on this sound will remove all obstacles. This method brings about a concrete, perceptible shift in inner energy.

Let us first delve into the ancient and sacred sound of "Om." Patanjali lived five thousand years ago. People back then were simple… very simple, innocent. They were trusting; they didn't overthink. They weren't intellectually inclined; they were more inclined towards new experiences. "Om" is a gentle sound—soft, non-violent, and non-aggressive. If you chant "Om," the sound goes from the throat to the heart—and doesn't go any lower. For those inclined towards the heart, "Om" is enough. A gentle remedy, a homeopathic remedy, is sufficient for them.

Fatigue and lethargy are among the biggest obstacles, but by chanting "Om," this feeling of weakness will disappear. "Om" creates a "Shivalinga" within you, an egg-shaped energy circle. As you become more observant, you may even see it. When you spend several months chanting "Om" with your eyes closed and in meditation, you will see your inner self—the body disappears, leaving only the current of bio-energy. That shape is the egg shape of the Shivalinga.

When this phenomenon occurs, your feelings of fatigue and powerlessness disappear because you have reached a higher energy level. At this point, you are capable of climbing higher; simply talking is no longer sufficient; you must take action. And your energy is so high that you are now able to accomplish something.

If one can recite completely, causing the reciter to disappear entirely—leaving only pure consciousness, the light of the flame, and the sound—the energy gradually completes into a circle. That will be the most fulfilling moment of your life. When the energy gradually becomes a circle, becoming harmonious; without discord or conflict, you become "one."

This imagery of an "egg-shaped energy circle" or "Shiva Linga" describes a transformation of inner energy from a dispersed and dissipated state to a harmonious state of cohesion, wholeness, and self-circulation. It acts like a protective energy field and a self-recharging battery, signifying that the practitioner's energy level has risen to a completely new level.

How does the "Om" meditation systematically eliminate various obstacles, including physical illnesses, emotional distress, and energy imbalances? This requires starting with yoga's unique definition of "health" and "illness."

Whenever these seven hundred acupoints cease to circulate normally—if holes appear, some acupoints stop functioning, the current stops flowing at some points, the flow is obstructed, the current is cut off, or the circulation stops—then disease arises. Therefore, acupuncture believes that no drugs or other medical treatments are needed; if you allow a living organism to circulate completely like a circle, disease will disappear. Five thousand years have passed… acupuncture was practically born during Patanjali's lifetime.

A principle emerged in Patanjali's time that you could call the principle of qi—bioenergy. In China, it's manifested in acupuncture; in India, it's presented throughout the entire yoga system. When the body's energy isn't flowing correctly, you feel uncomfortable. How does that happen? Because there's a void within your body, a hole, making you feel like something is missing. This is the beginning of illness. Initially, this feeling will appear in the mind. As I told you, it will first be felt unconsciously.

You might not even realize it; it will first appear in your dreams; in your dreams you're sick, uncomfortable, someone dies, something goes wrong. Nightmares arise from your unconscious, because the unconscious is closest to the body and to one's nature. Then it will surface from the unconscious to the subconscious; and then you start to feel agitated. You'll feel that your zodiac sign is off, and no matter what you do, it's wrong. You want to love someone, but you try and still can't. You want to help someone but always end up making things worse. Everything seems wrong.

You think it's due to the negative influence of some planets in the sky; no, it's some uncomfortable message from your subconscious that makes you irritable and angry, and the root cause is somewhere in your unconscious. Then you start to feel sick, and then it moves to your body. It always moves to the body, and suddenly you get sick.

Patanjali considers physical health a primary condition because you can't go far without it. Your illness, discomfort, and the holes in your inner energy circulation make you feel heavy. When you want to meditate, you feel something is wrong. When you want to pray, you can't pray; you want to rest. You have very low energy, and how can you go far with this low energy? How can you reach divinity? For Patanjali, divinity is the furthest point: it requires a great deal of energy. A healthy body, healthy thoughts, and a healthy essence are needed. Illness is unhealthy—an imbalance in the body's energy. "Om" helps; I will discuss other related things later.

Patanjali Yoga and Ayurveda (a traditional Indian therapy) developed around the same time. Ayurveda is the complete opposite of confrontational therapy. Confrontational therapy suppresses disease. It developed alongside Christianity; it was a byproduct. Because Christianity is repressive, confrontational therapy is also repressive. If you get sick, confrontational therapy immediately suppresses it. Then the disease will find a way to emerge from other vulnerable areas; it will always erupt somewhere. You suppress it here, and it bursts out elsewhere. Confrontational therapy makes you keep moving from one disease to another, endlessly.

Ayurveda's concept is completely different. They believe that illness should not be suppressed, but rather released. Catharsis is necessary. Patients take Ayurveda to allow the illness to emerge and be released… a catharsis. Therefore, you may feel more uncomfortable when you first start taking Ayurveda, and this may last for a while because it is not suppression. It cannot be cured immediately: it is a long process. The illness must be released to harmonize your inner energy and allow health to emerge from within. This medicine releases the illness, and then healing power will replace the illness from within yourself.

Ayurvedic and yoga developed simultaneously. If you are practicing yoga postures, if you follow Patanjali, then absolutely do not seek out a doctor specializing in antagonistic therapies. If you are not following Patanjali, that's fine. If you follow the yoga system and put a lot of effort into your body's energy, then absolutely do not seek out antagonistic therapies, because their principles are exactly the opposite. Seek out a doctor specializing in Ayurvedic therapy, synesthetic therapy, naturopathy—any therapy that helps with catharsis.

However, if you discover you have an illness, you must treat it first. Don't let the illness follow you.

Patanjali said: If you chant "Om" with awareness, delusions will disappear. How does this happen? Delusions mean you are in a dream—you are lost. Your being is no longer there: only the dream remains. If you meditate on "Om," you emit the sound of "Om" and become the observer, you are there, and your "presence" will not allow any dreams to arise. There will never be a dream. Even when a dream arises, you are not it. You cannot be with the dream. When you are there, the dream will disappear. Or conversely, you must disappear. The two cannot coexist: dream and awareness never meet. That is why, through the observation of "Om," delusions disappear.

"Pain, despair, trembling, and irregular breathing are all signs of frantic thoughts." These are all signs. Extreme pain is always filled with anxiety, tearing, worrying thoughts, sadness, and despair; the body's internal energy trembles subtly because when the body's energy does not flow in a circular manner, you will tremble slightly, shake, feel fear, and breathe irregularly. Therefore, your breathing cannot be regular. It cannot become a song; it cannot be harmonious.

These are signs of frenzied thoughts, and to combat them requires a focused mind. Chanting "Om" will bring you to this focus. Your breathing will become regular. Your body's trembling will disappear; you will no longer be constantly nervous or anxious. Joy will replace sorrow, and your face will inexplicably radiate happiness and a gentle sense of well-being. You are simply happy: you deserve to be happy just here. You ask for little; instead of suffering, you will be blessed with joy.