Om/Time/Space/Atom: What's the deal?

An answer to an email question from a yogini friend:

Hi Nathen-

Since OM is the creator of time, space, atom- when we chant OM are we actively creating? And what are we creating?

Got me contemplating that from your book- Love ya, Cayenne

an infinite question, which would require infinite words to answer! so in the interest of time and space=]...here are a few angles to consider:

om isn't so much the creator of time/space/atom as it is the simultaneous expression of time/space/atom. once om has been vibrated by godd, time/space/atom HAVE to exist, and one doesnt precede the other. we discussed that part last year, but remind me if you want the explanation again as to why these biblical four beasts must occur simultaneously. it's also written up in the first draft of 'riding the four beasts'.

also, om is the only vibration that exists -- in not just the physical, but the also astral and causal worlds. all planets, beings, thoughts, photons, etc, are multifarious, infinite expressions of the original om vibration. so om (AKA the divine mother) has become us and creates through us, no matter whether we are aware of it or not. most creations on earth (amoebas, insects...) arent consciously aware of the om at all and yet still create constantly.

it's the same sort of unconsciousness with people, until the seeker decides to consciously tune in with om -- for enlightenment's sake at first and later for more altruistic reasons. that is what externally chanting om accomplishes: it allows the chanter to consciously connect with the creating that is always occurring through our bodyminds -- as again om, by definition, is the only vibration that comprises creation.

yogananda mentions that the 'real' chanting of om occurs when the seeker actually hears and feels the om vibrating through one or more chakras or one's entire body. then one is not only consciously connecting with om via silent or overt prayer, but is instead consciously experiencing the om pulsating throughout one's own organism. in 'the holy science', sri yukteswar mentions that this felt sense of om communion is a necessary step within the enlightenment process. and (not in 'the holy science') it usually proceeds the experience of being able to remain conscious 24/7 that is the last stage before the 'ordinary human' becomes a 'super human' who is always aware of living within their joyous, multi-colored halo of god wisdom. from 'superhuman' there are only 3 more steps: christ; master; and avatar (simply a master who agrees to return in a body to help others). these latter ideas are summarized in yogananda's 'ladder of consciousness', which you have.

thus we are always creating, whether or not we chant om, for godd has become us and is creating through us. in the larger sense, then, we create nothing, but we do alter the creation happening through us depending on the relative quality of our thoughts and actions (sattvic; rajasic; tamasic). chanting om helps us to remember this, and to eventually hear and feel the om flowing within and around us. the latter is 'the comforter' experience that jesus spoke of (says yogananda) 'But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost [AKA om, or divine mother], whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you', and that presages the seeker's ascent from 'ordinary human' to 'superhuman' and beyond.

happy thanksgiving!