The Vigyan Bhairav Tantra is an ancient Hindu text that describes 112 meditation techniques for achieving spiritual realisation. The text describes several techniques for chanting AUM, which are:
- Chanting AUM mentally: The practitioner can close their eyes and mentally chant AUM, focusing on the sound and vibration of each syllable.
- Chanting AUM audibly: The practitioner can chant AUM out loud, focusing on the sound and vibration of each syllable.
- Chanting AUM with breath control: The practitioner can chant AUM while controlling their breath, inhaling deeply before chanting the syllable ‘A’, holding the breath while chanting ‘U’, and exhaling while chanting ‘M’.
- Chanting AUM with visualisation: The practitioner can visualise the syllable AUM as a golden light, chanting the syllable and imagining the light expanding and filling the entire body.
- Chanting AUM with awareness of the space between sounds: The practitioner can focus on the space between each syllable of AUM, becoming aware of the silence and stillness that exists between each sound.
The key to chanting AUM according to the Vigyan Bhairav Tantra is to focus on the sound and vibration of each syllable, allowing the mind to become absorbed in the experience. By practising these techniques, the practitioner can attain spiritual realisation and connect with the ultimate reality of Shiva.