“Thus the pupil is led on step by step to what is the highest object of the Upanishads—­namely, the recognition of the self in man as identical of the highest soul.

“The lessons which are to lead up to that highest conception of the universe, both subjective and objective, are, no doubt, mixed up with much that is superstitious and absurd.  Still the main object is never lost sight of.  Thus, when we come to the eighth chapter, the discussion, though it begins with Om ends with the question of the origin of the world, and the final answer—­namely, that Om means Akasa, ether, and that ether is the origin of all things.”

Dr. Lake considers electricity as the akas, or the fifth element of the Hindus.

I shall now give my own opinion on the mystic syllable Om.

Breath consists of an inspiration termed puraka, an interval termed kumbhaka, and an expiration called rechaka.  When the respiration is carried on by the right nostril, it is called the pingala; when it is carried on by the two nostrils, it is named the susumna; and when it is carried on by the left nostril, it is called ida.

The right respiration is called the solar respiration, from its heating nature; while the left respiration is termed the lunar respiration, from its cooling character.  The susumna respiration is called the shambhu-nadi.  During the intermediate respiration the human mind should be engaged in the contemplation of the supreme soul.

The breath takes its origin from the “indiscreet” or unreflecting form, and the mind from the breath.  The organs of sense and action are under the control of the mind.  The Yogis restrain their mind by the suspension of breath.  Breath is the origin of all speech.  The word soham is pronounced by a deep inspiration followed by expiration carried on by the nostrils....  This word means, “God is in us.”  There is another word called hangsha.  This is pronounced by a deep expiration followed by inspiration.  Its meaning is “I am in God.”

The inspiration is sakti, or strength.  The expiration is siva, or death.  The internal or Kumbhaka is a promoter of longevity.  When the expiration is not followed by inspiration death ensues.  A forcible expiration is always the sure and certain sign of approaching dissolution or death.  Both these words soham and hanysha cause the waste of the animal economy, as they permit the oxygen of the inspired air to enter the lungs where the pulmonary changes of the blood occur.

According to Lavoissier, an adult Frenchman inhales daily 15,661 grains of oxygen from the atmosphere, at the rate of 10.87 grains nearly per minute.

The word Om is pronounced by the inspiration of air through the mouth and the expiration of the same by the nostrils.

When a man inspires through the mouth and expires through the nostrils, the oxygen of the inspired air does not enter the lungs where the pulmonary changes of the blood take place.  The monosyllable Om thus acts as a substitute for the suspension of the breath.