The Turiyatita Dhyana Mantra is a meditative invocation directed toward the state of consciousness that transcends even turiya, the fourth state described in the Mandukya Upanishad (verse 7). While turiya is the silent witness of the three ordinary states—waking, dreaming, and deep sleep—turiyatita is the absolute, non-dual reality beyond all categories. The mantra is not a conventional sound-based formula but a silent contemplation on the supreme consciousness, often associated with the syllable OM in its unmanifest aspect (amatra).
According to the Mandukya Upanishad, the fourth state (turiya) is indicated by the absence of phonemes in OM, and turiyatita is the realization that even that indication is transcended. The Mantra-Yoga-Samhita (chapter 5) discusses dhyana mantras for the absolute, stating that such contemplation leads to the dissolution of the mind into the supreme Brahman. The purpose of this mantra is to aid the advanced practitioner in abiding in the state of pure consciousness, beyond all dualities and mental constructs.
It is chanted not as a recitation but as a silent focus during deep meditation, typically in a solitary setting during brahma muhurta (pre-dawn hours). The recommended count is not fixed, as the practice emphasizes quality of absorption over quantity. Cautions include that this mantra is intended only for those who have stabilized in the practice of turiya meditation; premature attempts may lead to confusion or mental instability.
The deity is Para Brahman, the formless absolute, and the mantra is considered the highest in the hierarchy of dhyana mantras. Tradition holds that regular practice leads to the realization of the supreme consciousness, liberation while living (jivanmukti), and ultimately the transcendence of all states.
Silent contemplation on the supreme consciousness beyond the fourth state.