Soham Mantra Meditation

Natural mantra: The Soham mantra is a natural mantra because it is already part of your nature.

Sooooo... is the sound of inhalation, and is remembered in the mind along with that inhalation.

Hummmm... is the sound of exhalation, and is remembered in the mind along with that exhalation.

Universal mantra: The Soham mantra has been 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.

Other names or designations: The mantra is also designated as Hamsa, Hansa, Sohum, So Ham, or So Hum.

Hamsa mantra: The Soham mantra is also called the Hamsa mantra. Hamsa (or hansa) poses the question, Who am I? Soham provides the answer, I am that.

I am that: While the English translation may not be as important as the quality of the sound vibration, Soham translates as I am that. When remembered repeatedly, it declares I am that I am that I am that I am. Remembering the Soham mantra often during the day can be a very useful practice.

The finest bridge between body and mind: Breath is a bridge between the body and the mind. When trying to meditate it is extremely common to have tension in the muscles and noisy thoughts in the mind. The nervous system is the arbiter between the tense body and the noisy mind. One of the best ways to regulate that nervous system, and in turn the body and mind, is through the breath. This has been known by the Yogis for thousands of years, and has also come to be widely known in recent years by the modern medical and psychological community.

Value of Soham and breath: One of the finest, easiest, and most direct ways to train the breath, and in turn, regulate the nervous system, relax the body, and quiet the mind is through Soham mantra practiced at a steady, slow speed, with exhalation somewhat longer in duration than the inhalation.

Source: http://www.swamij.com/soham-mantra.htm