People's possession is known as Maya

This ignorance is what is called maya, which becomes the cause of materialistic attachments and binding of the jiva in selfish affairs. These bonds make him indulge in the unnecessary activities and sins which hinder the possibilities of his spiritual development and put him into the dark tunnel of an unending journey in the world of ignorance, weaknesses, sufferings and agony of unlimited desires…. The whole lot of spiritual Sadhanas aims at emancipating the individual self from this bondage of illusions and ignorance and uplifting towards the righteous path worth his dignity as a soul.

The knowledge of Soaham is termed as Sadjnana, Tatvajanana or Brahmjnana - the divine knowledge that enlightens the inner self and awakens the soul so that it could realize its eternal origin. By the effect of Soaham Sadhana, the individual self begins to recognize its true identity as a reflection of the Brahm. The knowledge of Soaham contains the key for liberation from ignorance and the worldly thralldom. It indeed leads to the state of realization of 'Tatvamasi, Suddhosi, Buddhosi, and Niranjanosi in terms of the attainment of absolute piety, ultimate knowledge and limitless beatitude.

The word meaning of Soaham - "I am Brahm" should not be interpreted as an expression of arrogance. Because, here "I" does not correspond to the body or what a selfish, ignorant and a possessive person thinks himself to be…. Such misinterpretations would imply what the devil like gaings, Ravana, Kansa and Hiranyakshyapu, used to impose themselves to be. These characters, because of their maddening ego, suppressive might and blind superiority complex used to regard themselves as equivalent to God and used to even impose such impressions upon others. But the history stands by the fact that such illusions of extreme atrocities finally became the cause of their disdainful destruction.

It should be remembered that in the meaning of 'soaham' the word "I": does not refer to this body or mind which are made up of the Panca tatvas (five basic elements) and the three natural tendencies of the jada and cetan components of nature. This "I" truly corresponds to the soul. Thus "Soaham" is a divine message which reminds that the soul is a part of the Brahm. The spiritual scholars of all times have described the unity of the soul with the Brahm as that of - a wave with the ocean; light with the sun; an atom with the universe; a spark with fire…. etc. The only hindrance in the realization by the soul of its originality is the smog of ignorance (Maya) when the soul exists in a body as a living being (jiva) in this world.

The assimilation of illusions, misdeeds and the associated impact of the kusamskaras of the previous birth and the thralldom of ego, avarice and attachment block the active linkage of the individual self with its divine source. that is why an individual, despite being a part of that Omniscient Almighty continues to live a dissatisfied, effete, purposeless and even sinful life. The spiritual Sadhanas aim at removing these untoward shrouds and wiping off the latent imprints of the Kusamskaras and untoward habits and refining the mind and the entire inner self of the Sadhaka. It is only in a clean and serene mind and pious heart that the divine inspirations could be educed that would enlighten the soul. The Soaham Sadhana also results in such an illumination of the intellect and spiritual transmutation of the individual self.

The religious scriptures repeatedly convey that "Iswara Ansa Jiva Avinasi" - every living being is a fraction of the Almighty, Omnipresent Thee. Most of the people hear and accept it in principle but that is not all. Acceptance of this fact or belief in it would not serve any purpose unless it is inculcated in the innermost layers of the mind and the emotional center. Internal faith and emotional depth and sincerity only can awaken the Sraddha that enlightens and edifies the inner self. It is this inspiration which can control the thoughts and deeds of the individual.