For over 5,000 years, yogis and mystics have understood that there is a direct relationship between sound and the foundation of our three dimensional reality. Indeed, when the sacred seed syllable “OM” is chanted, it creates a specific geometric pattern known as a yantra.

Many of you are no doubt familiar with the image of interlacing triangles that is found in many cultures throughout the world (and in the background of my CD Chakra Suite). You may not have known that this image is created by the diminishing harmonics that are formed when you change the shape of your mouth and vocal cavity to shift from the O sound to the M sound.

Try this right now, and you’ll see what I mean.

The ancient science of mantra has become much more well-known as the popularity of yoga has continued to grow. Likewise, the popularity of chanting mantras in a call-and-response format, as demonstrated by Krishna Das and Deva Premal, has introduced many non-singers into the world of chanting.

It’s been said that there are two kinds of people: those who like to repeat the same phrase or syllables over and over, and those who don’t. Up until recently, I was more comfortable in the latter group.

A surprising series of “coincidences” recently reminded me there is a much deeper level that one may tune in to.... A level that rides on the waves of sound to get to the deeper Silence within. I have a feeling that many of you may share my newfound appreciation and want to check out the power of my latest release, Tonal Alchemy for yourself.

Mantras are “seed syllables” which have a direct connection to higher dimensions of life and consciousness. Using one’s voice to intone a specific vibrational formula is the basis of the science of mantra, and is a time-tested and proven psycho-spiritual technology to assist in meditation and experiencing inner peace.

But what if you just want to surround yourself with the vibe, without always having to chant along? After all, there are some times when it’s nice to be able to just listen, and let the mantra do the work all by itself.

When I meditate, I often chant for a minute or so to smooth my way into the silence. But if I have to continue chanting, I don’t reach as deep a level as if I get real quiet inside. My frustration was that I hadn’t found any soundtrack that was both listenable on a daily basis as well as effective. Until now.

About a year ago I began working on a project exploring the most universal mantra, OM. My requirements were that the recording could a) create the spiritually uplifted feeling I’ve had when I’ve been in a meditation retreat, ashram or monastery, b) be listened to in “transparent” mode, e.g., it would hold the energetic field without imposing its own sonic imperatives, and c) also be listened to with headphones as a meditation in its own right.

When I first recorded my voice in the studio, I added some reverb and things started sounding pretty good. But I got bored with just one voice. I invited some of my friends to do a group OM, but some of them sang out of tune. This tended to grate on my nerves, so I erased that experiment.

I tried singing multiple parts myself, multi-tracking harmonic fifths and octaves. I quickly developed a new appreciation for how challenging it is to sing in tune—even if all the voices are one’s own.

I was about to put this project on a back burner when I attended a lecture by Baba Sri Siva. I had read that he was the guru who inspired Wayne Dyer’s more recent explorations of manifestation and intention.

During the meditation portion of the program, as he chanted OM, I suddenly began to hear, in my inner ear, what sounded like a choir of at least twelve monks chanting in a continuous wave of sound. I felt like I was levitating.

“If only I could record this,” I thought, it might be the ambient chant recording I was seeking. Sri Siva had a number of CDs with chants and meditations, but none of them had this sort of sound.

When I told him what I had experienced, he encouraged me to figure out a way to make the inaudible mantra into an audible format that would serve others as well.

Working with my long-time engineer, we were able to transform his solo voice into a virtual multi-voiced choir. I remember the first time we heard the sound in the studio: I got chills up and down my spine, and felt my kundalini rising!

I knew in that instant that we were on the right track. Over the next several months, in addition to the choir by itself, I recorded variations with subtle instrumental harmonies with my keyboards. I also combined the OM with my personal collection of Japanese and Tibetan Temple bowls.

The first time I shared the work in progress with some friends, they all wanted a copy. I decided to organize the project into a single recording and make it available to the general public in Spring 2005.

If you’d like to experience a sample for yourself without having to wait that long, I’m getting them up on my website by the time you read this. (In fact, if you’re on my personal Inner Peace Music mailing list, you may already know that I pressed a limited number of CDs for those who want to get a head start on what promises to be a uniquely soul-nurturing album.

The reason is simple: when anyone chants OM, the sound tends to create more coherence in the environment. But when the OM is chanted by a meditation master like Baba Sri Siva, there is an extra dimension of energy and consciousness that is transmitted through the sound. That, in my opinion, is what makes this album so special. And you don’t have to belong to any group or believe in any dogma to appreciate the effects. Your soul already knows the score! I’d be most interested in receiving your emails about what you experience.

Baba Sri Siva (pronounced Shiva) is a scholar/mystic and a lineage holder in the Tamil Siddha tradition. He is the first Tamil meditation master allowed to share their teachings and formerly secret mantras and other sounds with the Western world. For more information on his CDs and teachings, visit: www.srisiva.com

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Steven Halpern is an award-winning composer, producer and recording artist who has touched the lives of millions around the world. “The maestro of sound healing” is currently celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of his first release. His most recent CD is Tonal Alchemy. Visit www.stevenhalpern.com to hear samples.

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