Om (aum) is composed of the 3 Sanskrit sounds. Om is a traditional symbol as well as a sacred sound in certain religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism, even though it is not religious. Om is not the property of anyone, Om is everyone’s, it is universal, and it contains the whole universe.
So, Om is typically a mantra that’s mainly chanted at the start and end of yoga or meditation sessions. With its roots in Hinduism, it is both a sound as well as a symbol rich in depth and meaning. When you begin Om chanting accurately, it sounds like “AUM”.
“The first sound” is regarded as being om. It is believed that the echoes of Om were the only sounds present in the universe before material formation. Om is known as the voice of the cosmos for this reason. Why does this matter? The universe isn’t eternal, as scientists are now teaching us, and somehow the ancient yogis understood this.
So, let’s now learn in detail about the sound Om and how to practice Om chanting. Also, chanting Om during yoga or meditation session has many benefits. So, let’s dig deeper to know about this mantra.
Contents
What Does It Mean By Om Mantra?
Om mantra is an ancient mantra and a Sanskrit word frequently used in meditation and yoga classes. It’s often chanted 3 times at the beginning and the end of a yoga class. It may even be spelled as “aum.”
The word Om in Sanskrit is made up of three letters: “A”, “U”, and “M”.
When “A” and “U” are combined, they become the letter “O”. This is not surprising, because if you repeat “A” and “U” over and over again, you will find that the sound “o” comes naturally as a result of this mixture. After this, the last letter is called “m”.
the chanting of Om helps in identifying God, the God who is the source of the beginning, the middle, and the end of the universe.
Why Do We Chant Om Mantras?
Nothing is truly still since everything surrounding us is throbbing and pulsing. Chanting Om, the basic sound, causes it to vibrate at a frequency of 432 Hz, the same vibrational frequency that permeates all of nature.
As AUM is the fundamental sound of the entire universe as a whole chanting it acknowledges our relationship to nature along with all other living things both metaphorically and physically.
Chanting can physically calm your mind, slow down your nervous system, and relax your body. Last but not least, chanting AUM is a method to begin and end a practice. It helps to separate it from everything else in our day and define it as a particular time during which we practice self-care and mindfulness.
In conclusion, using AUM to start or end your spiritual practice might help you establish a stronger bond with it.
How To Pronounce Om Mantras Accurately?
Before you begin chanting this mantra, you need to learn how to pronounce it correctly way. When pronounced correctly, this primordial sound born with the entire universe gives you many benefits. So, learn how to pronounce Om correctly during your yoga sessions.
- Whether it is silent chanting or you are pronouncing it loudly, it is important to learn the proper pronunciation first. The first word, “A”, is uttered as a drawn-out “awe.” You extend your throat as the sound begins at the bottom of your throat. Your chest and solar plexus will begin to vibrate.
- The sound of the second syllable, “U”, is made by pronouncing an extended “oo,” which progressively moves forward across your upper palate. Your throat will start to shake.
- The sound of the third syllable, “M”, is made by extending the sound of the “mmmm” sound and lightly touching your front teeth. The upper part of your mouth will now begin to vibrate.
- The deep hush of the Infinite is the final syllable. You must blend your chanting from the M with the deep quiet as wisdom arises from it.
In a symbolic sense, the three letters stand for the three fundamental aspects of Shakti’s divine energy: creation, preservation, and liberation.
Remember These Facts While Chanting Om
- Don’t concentrate on the rhythm of A-U-M at first. Follow the flow as well as chant particular word sounds one at a time; when combined, they will produce the vibration of Om.
- When chanting Om in a group, such as during a yoga class, mix your voice with everybody else’s.
- The change from “A to U” and “U to M” sounds should be so smooth and gradual that you won’t even notice it. When changing the sounds of one word to another, try not to interrupt the chant.
- Avoid holding your breath to make your chant last longer. Divide each breath such that the sounds of ‘A-U’ take up 80% of it and the vibration of ‘M’ the remaining 20%.
- Most crucial, don’t pay attention to your Om chanting technique. Merge into the chant’s frequency by concentrating on how it makes you feel.
Benefits of Om Chanting or Meditation
Whenever a person chants or pronounces Om in deep silence, a vibrational frequency is found which gives a gentle feel to the whole body of that person. By chanting Om during your sacred practice of yoga session, there is communication of life force in the body.
More prana means more life force, more positive energy helps one communicate more with oneself, more clarity of mind for decision making, and more awareness in our relationships. So, here are the benefits of Om chanting during your spiritual practices.
Reduce Stress
According to studies, chanting Om with intense focus lowers your body’s adrenaline levels, which in turn lowers stress, and blood pressure, and brings pulsating energy.
Soon after you traditionally chanted the Om mantra, you’re typically in a quiet, isolated setting with an uncluttered mind, which gives you a sense of peace, piety, and unity with God and helps you get deep sleep at night. And all these help you fight against stress.
Boost Spinal Cord Strength
The ‘A’ vibration associated with the OM mantra is supposed to affect the spinal cord. Om chanting will improve the effectiveness of your spinal cord as you make it a habit.
Control Sleep Cycle
All of our troubles stem from the issues in the outside world and our hectic routines. All worry-causing factors are eliminated and your mind is greatly at ease when you chant Om. Your sleep cycle returns on its own to normal when your mental state is calm.
Improves Focus
When you recite Om, you naturally isolate yourself from any negative thoughts. Your ability to concentrate will increase with practice, as will your universal consciousness.
Om Balances Heart Rate
Om mantras can quickly be shown to have a calming impact on the heart. You must have experienced at least once how your heart beats quickly when you worry excessively. Om chants are useful in such circumstances. Chant Om while your eyes are closed. As the Om vibrations move through your body, your heart rate will gradually slow down.
Removing Negativity
We all have a predisposition to think negatively, and doing so tends to bring more negativity into our lives. You tend to focus on yourself when you chant Om. And by doing this, your soul expels negativity from your existence and makes room for positivity to enter it.
Controls Blood Pressure
The Om mantra’s vibrations have a favorable impact on every cell in our body in addition to the heart rate. Chanting Om frequently for 30 minutes a day helps to maintain healthy blood pressure, though its effect may not be immediately apparent.
Detoxifies Body And Mind
The bad energy that is present in both our minds and bodies can be cleared by reciting the Om mantra. Our bodies respond to Om’s vibrations almost immediately. Chanting Om helps to relax the body and lighten the mind, which causes the body to begin synchronizing with its natural cycles and vibrational energy, which aids in the body’s detoxification.
Some Other Benefits of Chanting Om
- Physically and mentally peace is achieved just by pronouncing Om.
- Reciting and chanting Om regularly can also get rid of problems like stress and insomnia.
- By pronouncing and chanting Om, positive energy is transmitted in the surrounding environment as well.
- It is believed that chanting Om regularly increases concentration and memory power.
- If Om is chanted properly with full attention, then it gives you positivity, peace, and energy.
- Reciting Om is also beneficial in problems related to stomach and blood pressure.
- When Om is chanted, there is a vibration in the whole body, which benefits your whole body.
SUMMARY:
Among the most significant symbolic object in Hinduism is the word “Om.” It alludes to Atman (the inner self) and Brahman (the supreme soul, the world, and the ultimate reality).
Upanishads, Vedas, and other books all contain the word Om at the opening and end of each chapter.
It is recited during worship and personal prayers, throughout wedding ceremonial rituals, and occasionally before and during spiritual practice and meditation.
FAQ
Q. What is the Om mantra?
A. The three sounds “A,” “U,” and “M” combine to form the syllable “Om” (AUM). It is pronounced “AaaahooohMmmmm” literally. When we chant OM, we inhale deeply and gently exhale.
Chanting begins with the sound “Aaaah,” which is generated from the deep throat, slowly changes to “oooh,” which is created from the middle area of the mouth, and eventually ends with “Mmm,” which is produced via the front half of the lips.
Q. What is the benefit of the OM mantra?
A. When you chant Om, you raise your internal vibrations, which makes you happier and more blissful. It eliminates negative energy, cleaning the area around you as well as the individuals there.
Instantaneously, one feels at ease. The vibrations support emotional and mental equilibrium.
Q. What does the Om mantra do to the brain?
A. An old method of Indian meditation is OM chanting. The sense of relaxation, adjustments to autonomic balance, and deactivation of emotional brain areas are all linked to OM chanting.
Q. Can we chant Om silently ?
A. An old method of Indian meditation is OM chanting. The sense of relaxation, adjustments to autonomic balance, and deactivation of emotional brain areas are all linked to OM chanting.
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