Chanting, singing and mantra have been used since the beginning of time to access our deepest Self, express our emotions/creativity, join in community and connect to the Divine.

AUM or OM represents the most basic, primordial sound vibration of the Universe. It is the most basic mantra in Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism.

Om is the root sound of the universe. The first, original vibration, representing the birth, life, death-rebirth process. Chanting the sound OM brings us into harmonic resonance with the Infinite and helps to move us out of mental dissonance and chaos.

MYTH & MEANING

OM is said to vibrate at 432 Hz, which is the natural musical pitch of the Universe, as opposed to 440 Hz, which is the frequency of most modern music. OM is an ideal way to begin and end a personal sadhana, yoga or meditation practice and helps relax your mind.

It is considered one of the most important spiritual symbols (pratima) and represents the sacred trinity in all its depictions:

• body/mind/spirit
• Father/Son/Holy Ghost (in Judeo-Christian iconography)
• Atman (Individual Soul) & Brahman (ultimate reality, entirety of the Universe)
• beginning/middle/end
• Brahma/Vishnu/Shiva
• Saraswati/Lakshmi/Durga-Kali

TRANSLATION

The syllable is also referred to as omkara (ओंकार, oṃkāra), aumkara (औंकार, auṃkāra), and pranava (प्रणव, praṇava) in the Vedas.

It is similar to: Hum, Amin, Amen, Shalom

The visual symbol represents the meaning of AUM. The symbol OM visually consists of three curves, one semicircle, and a dot. 

• A: The large bottom curve symbolizes the waking state
• U: The middle curve signifies the dream state
• M: The upper curve denotes the state of deep sleep

4 STAGES OF CONSCIOUSNESS REPRESENTED IN THE AUM (Om) SYMBOL:

1. WAKING STATE: (Vaishvanara, Jagrat) – Conscious mind.
   • The “A” in A–U–M. 
   • The entire world from a dualistic perspective. 
   • Creation. Brahma/Saraswati.
   • “I am holding the bottle.” 
2. DREAM STATE: (Taijasa, Swapna) – Active unconscious mind.
   • The “U” in A–U–M. 
   • Subtle world
   • Bridge between conscious and subconscious mind.
   • Life. Sustenance. Vishnu/Lakshmi.
   • “I hold the bottle, but, I am not the bottle.”
3. SLEEPING STATE: (Pranja, Susupti) – Latent unconscious mind.
   • The “M” in A–U–M
   • REM Sleep
   • Destruction. Shiva/Durga-Kali.
   • “I am the bottle.”
4. SAMADHI: Bliss. Pure Consciousness. 8th Limb of Yoga.
   • The SILENCE after A–U–M. 
   • UNNAMED: Can’t create an object from it
   • Stilling the fluctuations of the mind. Yoga’s ultimate purpose.
   • Rebirth.
   • “Both the essence of the bottle and myself are beyond form.”

Try it: Find a comfortable seated position. Close your eyes. Consciously slow down your breath. Open your mouth wide to chant the first two syllables as you exhale. Purse your lips together to chant the next two syllables. Chant the mantra at least 3 times and after your last time sit quietly. Notice. 

What shifted for you as you were chanting the mantra AUM?

Your life is your curriculum.

xoxo, 

Ashley