OM (AUM):
The Experiential Wisdom of Love Freedom and Compassion
The meaning of the word Om
Om stands for highest wisdom. Word can not express the exact meaning of the word Om. One of the most precise meanings of the word Om as given by Amit Ray in the book Om Chanting and Meditation is:
"Om is not just a sound or vibration. It is not just a symbol. It is the entire cosmos, whatever we can see, touch, hear and feel. Moreover, it is all that is within our perception and all that is beyond our perception. It is the core of our very existence. If you think of Om only as a sound, a technique or a symbol of the Divine, you will miss it altogether. ..... Om is the mysterious cosmic energy that is the substratum of all the things and all the beings of the entire universe. It is an eternal song of the Divine. It is continuously resounding in silence on the background of everything that exists."
The dictionary meaning of the word OM is:
"A word of solemn affirmation and respectful assent , sometimes translated by ‘yes, verily, so be it’ (and in this sense compared with Amen); it is placed at the commencement of most Hindu works, and as a sacred exclamation may be uttered at the beginning and end of a reading of the Vedas or previously to any prayer; it is also regarded as a particle of auspicious salutation";
Traditional meaning of the word OM:
Om is a sound comprising of A,U, M and silence. The meanings of these three letters are:
-- the three worlds - earth, atmosphere, and heaven
-- the three states of awareness wakening, dreaming and deep sleep
-- the three major Hindu gods - Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva
-- the three major sacred Vedic scriptures - Rg, Yajur, and Sama
The Om symbols:
The Om mantras:
Om Mani Padme Hum
each syllable corresponds to one of the six purification process:
1. Om purifies bliss and pride
2. Ma purifies jealousy and need for entertainment
3. Ni purifies passion and desire
4. Pad purifies ignorance and prejudice
5. Me purifies possessiveness
6. Hum purifies aggression and hatred
Om tare tuttare ture svaha
the Mother of the Buddhas
1. Om represents Tara's sacred body, speech, and mind
2. Tare means liberating from all discontent
3. Tutare means liberating from the eight fears, the external dangers and the internal dangers
4. Ture means liberating from duality
5. Soha means "Let the meaning of the mantra take root in my mind."
Meaning of the Om Symbol
The eternal sound Om or AUM is having many meanings, however, here we want to discuss more about the curves of the Om symbol.
Om and Quantum Mechanics
The quantum vibrations of superstring theory are not sound vibrations. They are much more subtle and purified than that. What happens to a sincere yogi is that at some point, after a period of committed practice and pure intent, one begins to hear OM everywhere.
Buddha, Christ, Krishna all are the different cosmic forces of same Om energy and intelligence that radiates in everything. In any religion, no matter what the name, no matter the country or the tradition, the primary concern of that religion is Om, the God energy, even if that religion doesn’t use that word. This is most easily discernable in a quiet environment. It sounds like "OMMMMMMMMMMMMM" and can be a quite remarkable and blissful realization when it happens. Of course, one needs to have the mind quiet also.
Physicists are now describing the fundamental nature of the universe the same way that the sages have for thousands of years. In superstring or "M" theory, all matter and energy, when reduced to its most elemental form, is composed of infinitesimally small strings of vibration. Everything in the known universe is composed of wave/particle interacting with other wave/particle patterns. Om is one of the sounds that sonically define this quantum duality.
You practice the sound OM not only because it is relaxing and energizing, but also because it attunes you to a more profound experience of reality. The universe is built on AUM quanta energy, but not, strictly speaking, in the sonic sense. The ultimate instrument for measuring scientific data is the human body and mind, with its senses. All instruments ultimately are based on and deliver sensory input to a human. Yogic masters just wanted to cut out the "middlemen", “the agents”. OM prepares the human brain to detect the vibratory state that scientists now assert comprises the fundamental nature of reality.
The true devotee of Krishna, Christ or Buddha is always seeking to recognize and witness that Om energy in action in the universe right now and here. That is how you find the real God here and now. In your breath, through your eyes, through your ears, through touch, through taste and through smell, Christ, Buddha is there in everything, without limitation. Everything that exists is a modification of Om, and everything vibrates with that energy.
OM Sadhana Basices
Some spiritual aspirants complain, “I can’t see God, I can’t hear God, God has never spoken to me, I don’t believe in God, I haven’t seen God.” That is because they are not looking, they are not listening, they do not have the eyes to see and the ears to hear. They only see the projections of their mind. They just need to attune their eyes and ears. Om chanting is the way for that attunement.
They project that God, should be a person who speaks in their language and gives them what they desire. People think that they will only believe in God if He gives them a new car or money or security or comfort. Yes Om can give that. Om can give all the four requirements of life.
Om the Universal Religion:
The force of Om is universal, but religion is not. Religions that are born, grow, sustain, and die. Religions belong to time. They belong to a particular place and a particular time. That is, religions have a narrow focus on a particular psychology. They all come from the one universal primordial religion, which is cosmic and eternal, and is the science of Om.
This is not referring to a modern system or belief, but to the ultimate primordial science which is beyond anything that we can conceive of, write down, or put in a book. Om is beyond all of that. Om is not associated with any person or religion.
What is the hallmark of a peaceful mind?
As Krishna said in Gita, you have to be like a great tree resting in the midst of pain and pleasure, of success and defeat, of praise and blame, and to be the same one in everything, neither chasing nor avoiding but just being in the middle.
Equanimity is the hallmark of a peaceful mind.
How to know the real God?
When you look into the mirror of your mind, when you are relaxed, when you are no longer chasing after desires or avoiding your fears, when your mind is in a state of serenity and acceptance, it reflects the universe: then you know God. For that person, God is no longer a theory or a belief, God is a reality. God becomes a fact, and not just a concept to debate or to argue about, but a living vibrating reality.What is the root ancient mantra for happiness?
Ancient Vedic root mantra in Sanskrit is:
Sarvesaamm Svastir Bhavatu
Sarvesaamm Saantir Bhavatu
Sarvesaamm Poornam Bhavatu
Sarvesaam Mangalam Bhavatu
Sarve bhavantu sukhinaa
Sarve santu niraamaya
Sarve bhadraani paysantu
The essential meaning of the root mantra is:
May all beings be happy
May all beings be joyful
May all beings be in peace
What is that Om vibration?
It is the rawest, purest, most refined, most subtle energy that exists. It is the first energy that comes out of the nothingness. It is beyond sound, it is beyond light, but it is the root of them. We say sound and light so that we can understand what it is, but it really isn’t sound or light, but it is something beyond that. It is something that sound and light come from.
Should I Chant Om with my eyes open or with my eyes closed?
Different traditions give different answers. It all depends on your environment, circumstances and mental state. Both are perfectly correct.
How long should I meditate?
Daily 5 to 20 minutes of Om meditation is sufficient.
Do I need a teacher for Om Chanting?
Om chanting is a subtle art. Getting a true teacher is not an easy task. Hence, develop your own skill. Looking for a teacher is meaningless.
How do I quiet the mind, there are so many thoughts?
Watching the mind is the traditional answer, but just watching the thoughts is not the way to get a peaceful and happy mind. You need to learn Om chanting to overcome the problems.
How is Yoga Nidra linked to OM?
Yoga Nidra, OM Consciousness and Mandukya Upanishad are interlinked. Yoga nidra is the first practice of awareness in dream consciousness.
How is breathing related to Om?
Upanishad says:
“The breath is continually sounding ‘Om.’ [Chandogya Upanishad 1.5.3]
“By sound one becomes liberated [Brahma Sutras 4.4.22]
“Speech and breath are joined together in the Syllable Om.” [Chandogya Upanishad 1.1.6]
What is the full form of the Mool Mantra of Guru Nanak Dev?
Mool Mantra means Root Formula for Life and Libaration. The mantra is:
"Ek Onkar Satnam Karta Purakh Nirbhau Virvair Akal Murat, Ajuni Saibhang Gurprasad"
The meaning of the mantra is:
One Universal Creator God. The Name Is Truth. The only Universal Doer. The fulfiller of all. No Fear. No Hatred. Image Of The Undying, Beyond Birth, Self-Existent. By the Grace of the Supreme Teacher
There is One and only One God who is transcendent as well as immanent. True and Eternal Name. Creator and Person. Without Fear and without Enmity. Timeless Form, Unborn, Self-existent. Realized by Divine Grace.
What is the difference between Om Chanting and Om Meditation?
Om Chanting is the verbal or mental repetition of word "OM"Om Meditation is more about understanding, contemplation and realization of OM Consciousness.
What is Om Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient word. Yoga means asking God to join in this celebration of life in every moment.
Om yoga or Onkar Yoga is having three concepts:
1. Meditation and feeling the presence of God at all times, which will bring you contentment, truth, humility and virtue.
2. Respecting regular work and life
3. Sharing love, bleesings, money and careing for others, human and the envirinment.
What are the benefits of Om Meditations?
There are several Benefits of Om Meditations. However, the most important is the spiritual awakening. Of course, stress relaxation and healing, increasing confidence, fearlessness, open attitude are the other benefits.