The meaning of AUM / OM

The meaning of Om is difficult to understand and explain. It is a mantra of such great symbolism and power that one must take the time to truly reflect on its meaning.

As a New Year's resolution, I invite you to try Meditation on OM. As an experiment, please practise it for half a year, 10 minutes a day, and observe what changes within you. To explain the power of the Bija Mantra AUM, I draw on the teachings of Swami Vivekananda and Swami Sivananda. 🙏🕉🙏

Swami Vivekananda explains how AUM/OM represents the entire phenomenon of sound production. As such, it must be the natural symbol, the matrix of all the different sounds. This means the whole range and possibility of every word that can be produced.

A-U-M

When you chant Om, you are chanting the sounds that are the source of all verbal communication between human beings. Om is made up of the three Sanskrit letters A-U-M, which sound like aoommm when chanted. All the articulated sounds of speech and language arise in the space between the back of the throat and the lips. When you chant A-U-M, you will notice that the sound A is produced at the back of the throat, U moves toward the palate, and M closes at the lips.

This triad has been interpreted in many different ways, among them:

🙏 as a symbol of the three worlds — heaven, earth, and the intermediate space

🙏 the three creator deities and the phases of the cosmos they represent: creation (Brahma), preservation (Vishnu), and destruction (Shiva)

🙏 the three universal processes of emergence, existence, and passing away, and the three Vedas — the Rig Veda, the Yajur Veda, and the Atharva Veda

🙏 it means "I bow, I agree, I accept." I accept my immortal destiny. I accept the reason for my existence. I accept my responsibility for being. I accept the components of my reality. I accept the Flame as God within me.

🙏 OM encompasses all the threefold experiences of the human being, the three states of consciousness — waking, dreaming, and deep sleep.

The letter A

🙏 this resonance should arise from the back of the throat

🙏 connects us with our individual self, or ego

🙏 represents the state of consciousness of waking

🙏 corresponds to the heart chakra — Anahata chakra

🙏 symbolises beginning, manifestation, and growth.

The letter U

🙏 this resonance should arise from the back of the tongue, moving toward the lips

🙏 represents the energy of the mind and of the universe; this vibration brings about balance and clarity

🙏 represents the state of consciousness of dreaming, representing the mental and astral plane, the world of spirits

🙏 corresponds to the throat chakra — Vishuddha chakra

🙏 corresponds to preservation; it represents the subtle body.

The letter M

🙏 the practitioner closes the mouth around the sound to experience the vibration throughout the head and body

🙏 this syllable evokes a feeling of oneness between the body and the world

🙏 represents the state of consciousness of deep sleep (dreamless sleep)

🙏 corresponds to the crown chakra — Sahasrara chakra

🙏 symbolises dissolution, decline, and involution; it represents the causal body.

Anagata (silence)

🙏 this essential phase of AUM leads the yoga practitioner to experience a blissful state of silence and a feeling of oneness

🙏 silence is the state symbolising the OBSERVER.

Meditation on OM:

Swami Sivananda explains that the state of turiya, Brahman, Atman, and OM are one.

🙏 OM is the embodiment of the essence of the whole of the Vedas. The entire essence of the Vedas is compressed into the symbol OM. This symbol is endowed with occult powers of the highest order.

🙏 Aspirants who follow the path of Vedanta constantly repeat OM in their minds and enjoy the supreme bliss of this mystical practice.

🙏 Live and move in OM..

🙏 Utter OM with every breath. Remain ever alert in the bliss of OM. Dissolve the sleep of this illusory world in the wakefulness of OM. Submerge the pain and misery of samsara in the bliss of OM, the bliss of eternity, the abode of peace, bliss, and joy.

Meditation on OM leads to the realisation of Brahma Jnana. OM is the name of Brahman. Through a proper understanding of OM and its true meaning, you can find a way to approach and realise Brahman.

Parabrahman, the Eternal Supreme Being, the abode of all that lives and moves, is beyond name and definition. The Vedas dared to give It a name, so that human beings could recognise and call upon It. A newborn child has no name, but once given one, it will answer to it. People tormented by the sufferings of this world take refuge in the Divine and call upon It by name. When Brahman is invoked by name, what is hidden is revealed to the aspirant.

Brahman is the highest of all. OM is His name. Therefore OM should be worshipped. OM is everything. OM is the name or symbol of GOD, Ishwara, or Brahman. OM is your true name.

OM gives peace, calm, silence, and serenity. This symbol carries the whole universe and everything contained within its scope… OM encompasses everything we can imagine, and more besides. As such, it is a fitting symbol for meditation. No other symbol can embrace so much within its scope.

Likewise, when you hear the sound OM, it signifies Satchidananda Brahman — Absolute Existence, Absolute Knowledge, Absolute Bliss.

Recite OM for half an hour. Recite some other word for half an hour as well. You will feel the difference for yourself.

There is a real connection between OM, the symbol, and Brahman, the thing signified by the symbol OM. Thought and word are inseparable. OM and Brahman are inseparable. When you think of the image of OM, that image will call to mind Brahman, the thing signified. There is an intimate connection between the symbol OM and Brahman, the thing signified.

In the Bible you will find: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with GOD, and the Word was GOD."

OM therefore represents everything. OM is the foundation of your life, your thought, and your intelligence. All words denoting objects are concentrated in OM. Hence the whole world comes from OM, rests in OM, and dissolves into OM… All the letters of the alphabets of every language are contained within this mysterious, sacred monosyllable OM. It is therefore entirely fitting to regard OM as the symbol or name of Brahman… OM alone is the constant reality. OM is the soul of your breath.

The Rishis and sages of ancient times, who attained self-realisation, experienced the mysterious effects of repeating or chanting OM. After long research and experimentation with OM and its vibrations, they meditated upon OM for a considerable period, and then gave the world OM as the true symbol of Brahman. This is neither hocus-pocus nor a conjuror's trick. It is the authoritative statement of seers. OM served them as a lighthouse beam or a safe boat as they sailed the turbulent, deep, unnavigable waters of this ocean of Samsara. Through OM they safely climbed to the summit of nirvikalpa samadhi, the knowledge of the Self, Brahma Jnana. You can safely rely on their teachings.

OM is a ladder that carries the aspirant to higher levels of superconsciousness and to the spiritual heights of splendour and glory. Meditation on OM will reveal to you the laws of the higher planes and the spiritual laws. Meditation on OM will give you liberation, immortality, courage, inner spiritual strength, supreme peace, penetrating insight, and will transform your very being.

You already know that in a single second, radio waves circle the entire globe seven times. Mysterious indeed! Have you ever thought about that? Have you ever thought about the potency of the mysterious vibration created by chanting OM? If this scientific fact is true, and I believe it is, then the vibrations of chanting OM have spread across the whole world.

What does Lord Krishna teach, holding the flute in his hands? What is the symbolic philosophy of the flute? The flute is a symbol of OM. Krishna says: "Empty yourself of egoism. I shall play upon your body-flute. You will become one with My will. Come to OM. Meditate on OM. You will enter My Being. Hear the inner, soul-stirring music of the soul, the music of OM, and rest in eternal peace."

OM is called Pranava, because it runs through Prana, the life force, and pervades life.

The rhythm of repeating OM brings calm to the mind. Chanting OM, silent Japa of OM, and meditation on OM create harmonious vibrations in the mind or subtle body, lifting the mind to the sublime heights of divine splendour, and ultimately raising consciousness to the state of turiya, in which the meditator loses individual consciousness and merges with the Supreme Soul, the all-pervading Consciousness of Brahman.

The essential meaning of Pranava is the Supreme, known to have the nature of the undivided Existence-Knowledge-Bliss of the Absolute (Satchidananda). This now makes it possible to cross to the far shore of the ocean of Samsara. . . Meditation on this Pranava in the form of murmured prayer (japa) is useful for attaining krama-mukti (progressive liberation). This is a subordinate practice. But abstract meditation upon it is best. The meanings of the other names used by devotees are all contained within the meaning of Pranava.

OM is your best companion in life, for it gives you immortality and eternal bliss. OM is your Sadguru. OM is your guide and teacher. Therefore, keep company, or constant satsanga, with OM by practising japa of OM, chanting OM, smarana (remembrance) of OM, chintana (reflection) on OM, manana (continuous contemplation) of OM, vichara (inquiry into the nature) of OM, and meditation on OM.

Japa of OM is the continuous repetition of OM, verbally, mentally, or in a humming manner. Chanting OM is loud repetition. Smarana of OM is the remembrance of OM or Brahman. Chintana of OM is reflection on OM. Manana is contemplation on OM. Vichara of OM is inquiry into the nature of Brahman. Meditation on OM is nididhyasana (profound and sustained meditation) on the invisible, immortal Self, with an advaita (non-dual) bhava, or feeling.

This feeling should reach deep into the very core of your heart. Every cell, every pore of your body, every atom, every molecule, every nerve, every fibre, every drop of blood, every artery, every vein should powerfully vibrate or pulsate with this sacred, soul-elevating, sublime feeling. When you chant OM or meditate on OM, feel that you are one with the supreme Self. Transcend the world of names and forms and identify yourself with the all-pervading, pure Consciousness.

Chant OM from the very depths of your heart, with deep feeling. As you chant OM, knowing its omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence, feel how OM bursts forth in its true colour from every nerve, every vein, every cell, every atom, every molecule, every electron, and the very blood cells of your body. Pour the vibrations of OM out onto the world with tremendous vigour, speed, strength, and power. Prepare yourself now to be recharged. Now roar like the lion of Vedanta, and chant OM.

Drive away evil thoughts by chanting OM. Draw inspiration, power, and strength from chanting OM. Attain one-pointedness of mind through the practice of japa of OM. Dissolve the mind in Brahman through meditation on OM, and rest in your own Satchidananda Swarupa.

May OM guide you, protect you, uplift you, lead you to your goal, and set you free. Whenever you feel low, whenever you have a slight headache, walk with a brisk step and chant OM as you go. As you chant OM, feel that your entire being is filled with divine energy. Chanting OM is a powerful, readily available tonic, and it is specific for every ailment. OM is a panacea, a sovereign remedy for all afflictions.

Try this remedy for yourself and feel the wonderful effects of this divine medicine. Just as you take medicine, turn to chanting OM. Brahman, the Atman, is one with OM. Chanting OM means drawing closer to the source and tapping into cosmic energy that is inexhaustible.

When you chant OM, feel: "I am all health." All pathogenic or disease-causing germs are destroyed or burned away by the vibrations of OM. You can chant OM while sitting in any comfortable asana in your room, in order to regain, maintain, or improve your health.

Piyush Mittal

Nirmala Institute of Yoga and Ayurveda

This text was written on the basis of my own practice, the writings of Swami Vivekananda, and Swami Sivananda's book, Meditation on Om.

Photo source: the Internet.