No word has a meaning of itself; meanings are given, they are arbitrary. Otherwise every word is just a sound, meaningless. But we can give meaning to any sound, and the sound becomes a word when we give a meaning to it. Sometimes the meaning is very relevant and sometimes it is not relevant.

In the same way is the word 'Yaa-Hoo!' Hoo is an ancient practice of the Sufis. They have discovered that rather than repeating the mantra Allah, Allah-hoo helps you to go deeper into yourself. The sound "Yaa" does the work; it makes the word "Hoo" complete and total. "Yaa-Hoo!" not only hits your center, your very being, it also brings in you a tremendous feeling of joy, a laughter, a dance. It is celebration.

And somebody found on the way that there is no need even to say "Allah-hoo" ― just "Hoo" serves the purpose, because the sound "Hoo" hits at the very center of your being. Just by repeating "Hoo" again and again ― you will be surprised ― you have left your mind far away, your thoughts have ceased, time has disappeared and you have come into a space which is yours, but you have never been aware of it.

There is no meaning in the words, "Yaa-Hoo" or "Yaa-Boo." These are simply techniques, sounds which can be used for a certain purpose to enter into your own being. And you may have felt it ― when you shout, "Yaa-Hoo!" you may have felt a sudden breeze of freshness and joy. I don't want so many people to cry here; that's why I have not used the other part. That is to be used in special groups.

All that this world needs is a good cleansing of the heart of all the inhibitions of the past. Laughter and tears can do both. Tears will take out all the agony that is hidden inside you and laughter will take all that is preventing your ecstasy. Once you have learned the art you will be immensely surprised: why has this not been told up to now? There is a reason: nobody has wanted humanity to have the freshness of a rose flower and the fragrance and the beauty.

YAA HOO