OM.AH.HUM.: Simple Practices, Sincere Friendships, Meaningful Blessings February 28, 2025 16:57
If you prefer to listen to this month's offering, please click HERE for the audio link.
A few summers ago, I drove a dharma friend home after we had attended a weekend teaching together in Louisville. Traffic was light on this beautiful August day—cloudless blue sky, sunny, and warm.
I enjoyed chatting with my friend, Marietta. She told me about her adventures in Nepal from years ago, and we shared stories about our families.
During this trip, I noticed something interesting about my friend. At one point during our drive, we passed a small family cemetery just off the side of the road. It included a few tombstone markers enclosed with wrought iron fencing.
When we passed it, I overheard Marietta whisper, “Om. Ah. Hum.” three times. She didn’t make a fuss about it—she didn’t even explain. It was a just simple blessing.
She may not have realized it at the time, but she actually taught me something important with that simple gesture, and she inspired me to incorporate it into my own practice.
***
Ever since that day, any time I’m in the car—whether I’m driving to and from school or Bloomington, anywhere, really—if I see an animal that’s been hit, no matter how big or small—deer, opossum, raccoon, squirrel, chipmunk—I whisper the blessing, “OM. AH. HUM.” three times.
This short, sweet prayer of purification is both simple and direct. “OM” purifies the body. “AH” purifies speech and sound. “HUM” purifies the mind.
Many times, what I think may be an animal is actually something else. I can’t tell you how many times I have “OM. AH. HUMMED” rolled up carpets, abandoned mufflers, shoes, shredded bits of semi tires, and bags of garbage on the side of the road. It doesn’t matter. I whisper “OM. AH. HUM.” anyway, hoping it may be of benefit.
Marietta’s simple gesture helped me stay alert and aware of others and my environment. That’s what this practice is all about—recognizing the relationship between self and others and acknowledging the importance of interconnection.
***
On my drive to school yesterday, a deer crossed the road several yards in front of me. Thankfully, I had plenty of time to slow down to let her cross. I could make out her silhouette in the early morning darkness. She turned her head, the flash of her bluish-green eyeshine reflected back at me.
She made it safely across the street. I slowed down even more, knowing that they often travel in groups. “OM. AH. HUM.”
It’s a reminder to take care—to remember interdependence is everywhere. Nothing we have or do exists or happens without others’ expertise, effort, or service.
Even the simplest of circumstances or situations: “OM. AH. HUM.”
This offering mantra is a simple way to give back. May you be well. May you be happy. May you live with ease. Whether in this life or the next: “OM. AH. HUM.”
***
I woke up early this morning, unsettled from a dream image.
I dreamt that I was trapped in a sphere-shaped pod. The doors were heavy and thick like those on an elevator. I kept trying to open the hatch, but the doors wouldn’t open. I peered through a cloudy square window and noticed that strangers in a nearby pod were watching me and laughing at my distress. I felt isolated, disconnected, and panicked.
The image startled me awake, and I awoke feeling scattered and anxious.
I sat up in bed and remembered a meditation that I had read by Lama Yeshe.
I closed my eyes and imagined that white light filled my head, saturating all the creases and folds of my brain—that my entire head space was saturated with this soft, white light.
I took three long, slow breaths and exhaled and vocalized an extended, “OMMMMMMMMMMM.”
I gave myself time to sit with this light image, and I let the sound drift throughout the bedroom. I allowed thoughts and feelings to drift as well as I noticed the rise and fall of my belly.
After a few minutes, I brought my attention to my throat and imagined a translucent red light saturating the vertebrae of my cervical spine, larynx, and esophagus.
I took three slow breaths, then exhaled and vocalized an extended, “AHHHHHHHHHHH.”
I visualized the soft red light and imagined that the sounds settled into the darkness of the room, into the warm flannel sheets, the books on the nightstand, the clothes hanging in the closet, and into the floor.
Finally, I brought my awareness to my heart and visualized a clear blue translucent light filling and radiating from my chest.
I took three long breaths and exhaled, “HUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMM.”
Light and sound settled my heart and mind, alleviated my anxiety, and soothed my scattered thoughts.
It just took a few minutes, but this simple meditation was an effective tool that helped me to regulate and calm my mind.
***
I am grateful for these simple and beneficial practices. I am grateful for sincere friendships, and I am grateful for those of you who take the time to read or listen to these monthly musings.
I hope this month of February has treated you well, and I hope that March will have many blessings and meaningful lessons to offer all of us.
***
Please visit the MMM homepage HERE for the current collection of hand-knotted malas.
I’ve also included the link to the Lama Yeshe article about the OM. AH. HUM. meditation that I referenced earlier, if you’re interested.
(Photo credit: Manoj Balotia courtesy of Unsplash)
Peace and strength to all of you—
Warmly,
Teresa