The power of OM

By: Khyati Desai

OM written in Sanskrit is Aum, It has many meanings like the sound the universe made when it was created. Some people take this literally and some metaphorically.

Also, the phonetics of the sound Aum starts in the bottom of the vocal cavity, then to the glottis, then to the mouth cavity and ultimately disappear into the silent void. By sound and form, AUM symbolizes the infinite Brahman (ultimate reality) and the entire universe. This process symbolizes the creation, the maintainence, the destruction of all things and the return to where they came.

A stands for Creation

U stands for maintenance

M stands for Destruction

OM is traditionally chanted at the beginning and end of yoga sessions. It is an acknowledgment that the universe around us is constantly moving—the setting sun, the rising moon, the ebb and flow of the tides, the beating of our hearts.

Ancient yogis used OM to recognize this never-ceasing movement and seek oneness with the universe. Chanting OM is meant to resonate that movement throughout the breath, awareness and energy to reveal a more powerful connection with the universe.

The symbol representing OM is called the OMKAR, and has four parts, representing the four states of human awareness:

• The ordinary waking, or material state.
• The state of deep sleep.
• The dream state.
• Absolute conscience or the awakened state.

How to practice it?

Retire to a quite place, sit down, close your eyes and completely relax your muscles and nerves. Concentrate on the space between your eyebrows and quieten and silence the conscious mind. Begin to repeat "OM" mentally while associating the ideas of infinity, eternity, immortality, etc. You must repeat OM with the feeling that you are the infinite and all-pervading. Mere repetition of OM will not bring the desired result. Keep the meaning of OM always at heart. Feal OM. Feel that you are the pure, perfect, all-knowing, eternal, free, Brahman. Feel that you are absolute consciousness and the infinite, unchanging existance. Every part of your body should powerfully vibrate with these ideas. This feeling should be kept up all day long. Practice regularly and steadily with sincerity, faith, perseverance and enthusiasm in the morning, midday and evening

What are the benefits in reciting OM?

As a Mantra repeating the word "OM" is a great way to slow down the breathing, to calm the nervous system and to give glands and organs of the body a vibrational massage.

Chanting OM allows us to recognize our experience as a reflection of how the whole universe moves; the setting sun, the rising moon, the ebb and flow of the tides, the beating of our hearts. As we chant OM, it takes us for a ride on this universal movement, through our breath, our awareness, and our physical energy and we begin to sense a bigger connection that is both uplifting and soothing.

• The chanting of Om drives away all worldly thoughts and removes distraction and infuses new vigour in the body.
• When you feel depressed, chant Om fifty times and you will be filled with new vigour and strength.
• The chanting of Om is a powerful tonic. When you chant Om, you feel you are the pure, all pervading light and consciousness.
• Those who chant Om will have a powerful, sweet voice.
• Whenever you take a stroll, you can chant Om. You can also sing Om in a beautiful way. The rythmic pronunciation of Om makes the mind serene and pointed, and infuses the spiritual qualifications which ensure self-realization.
• Those who do meditation of Om daily will get tremendous power. They will have lustre in their eyes and faces.

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