'Sivam' + 'Aham' is "SIVOHAM", otherwise popularly recognised as "SOHAM".
Sivam represents 'Life' and Aham represents 'Living'. Life and Living are 'Existence' and 'Sense of Existence' respectively. They are also indicated by the terms "I" and "I AM". With the analogy of 'Ocean' and 'Waves' and 'dancer' and 'dancing', we can constantly remember Sivam and Aham. In the form of 'ArdhaNareeswara' we see both the dancer and the dancing together, as we see 'ocean' and 'waves' together. "OM", 'SOHAM' AND 'SIVOHAM' are synonyms.
"BRAHMAM" is 'Absolute Truth' which is beyond 'Sivam' and 'Aham'. "Absolute" cannot be defined by any terms. although we name the same as "Brahman". Absolute is beyond 'life' and 'living'. In B.Geetha this Absolute is named as "Purushottama". Purushottama is beyond Akshara Purusha and Kshara Purusha. Happiness, Enjoyment and Pleasure relatge to Akshara and Kshara aspects. They emanate from sense of existence, mind and intellect and mind and senses respectively. PEACE (SHANTY) is 'I Consciousness' above Happiness, Enjoyment and Pleasure, symbolically Shiva linga.
We should analyse all activities as to whether they relate to pleasure, or enjoyment or hapiness. In "PEACE" all mental and intellectual activites end, emotions and concepts end and it is Pure Consciousness. Peace is the 'expression' of Brahman, as in the case of Light and day-light.
PEACE is 'Existence Pure'('I'); HAPPINESS is the highest stage in the 'sense of Existence' (I AM); Enjoyment is that of the mind and intellect ("I AM THE INDIVIDUAL"); Pleasure is that of the senses (INDIVIDUALITY).Enjoyment becomes Happiness when turned towards God.
An individual breathes in 'Life Consciousness'('SIVAM') and breathes out 'Living'('AHAM'), and this cycle continues till death. One should contemplatively be conscious (passive awareness) of this great truth of 'Life' and 'Living' in every breath-in and breath-out. 'Living depends on 'Life'. 'Life' is the expression of the highest truth -Infinity. 'Infinity' is the base, Life is the substratum and living is an appearance on the substratum.
'SIVOHAM' or 'SOHAM' should be meditated upon till such time the 'individual' realizes his true nature. Meditation is focussing attention to a particular thought. The thought should be "Breath-in Peace (Shivam) and Breath-out Happiness (Aham). Enjoyment and pleasure relating to intellect, mind and senses are only reflections of Happiness as 'illusion' (mitya) and 'delusion' (bramam). Contemplative Awareness is the realization of PEACE - one's true nature. A striking analogy of Sage Ramana is worth recollecting in this context: A man enacting a female role in a drama is contemplatively aware of his true nature, throughout the drama! He need not remind himself 'I am man'!! This is 'contemplative awareness'.
To sum-up: BREATHE-IN PEACE; BREATHE-OUT HAPPINESS IN UNIVERSAL LOVE, AND VIEW HARMONY IN APPRENTLY CONFLICTING CONCEPTS. EXPERIENCE PEACE AND EXPRESS HAPPINESS. OM SHANTY-SHANTY-SHANTY.
