Skip to main content

OM : AUM – A Sound, A Symbol or More…


The Om symbol is present almost everywhere. It is in our prayers, in our workplaces, in our homes, on our t-shirts and in our yoga classes. But what does it mean? Where does it come from?



These are important questions that we need to keep asking if we are to understand its real significance. Sometimes, a piece of knowledge is passed down through generations but not in its entirety. Where that knowledge or wisdom came from is equally important as what it actually is.

So here is The Story of Om…

How it started?

It is said that Om (pronounced AUM) was made to be the culmination of everything – the point of all creativity. It was the ancient Rishis who would chant in Sanskrit. It is they who came up with this word to define unifying experiences – something that would bind everyone together with a common thread.

And so, Om came to encompass everything, all emotions, words, sounds and beings. This is why Om increases your body awareness as you chant it. It flows through the universe, exempt of time and space and connects you to all things.

What is A-U-M?

The pronunciation itself represents something as well.

(A) “Ahh” represents what is called the waking state. This opens up all of our senses to the world’s experiences.

(U) “Ohh” represents the dream state and experiences that are beyond the physical body. It is said to bring balance into your life.

(M) “Mmm” this represents the state of deep sleep and all the salient energies of the universe. It connects you to all those mystical powers to help you feel “oneness.”

The Om symbol

The Om symbol itself is derived from the meaning of the word. It has three main curves, representing the waking state, dream state and deep sleep state. These are the three states of consciousness that connect you to the universe’s energies.

The semicircle atop the symbol represents Maya or the world’s illusions. Which is why it separates you from the dot that represents Turiya, or the point of bliss. This states, that you are separated from your happiest being by illusions, but you can surpass them and attain peace.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chess is not only a game, but also a way of life.

Chess is not only a game, but also a way of life. Playing chess can teach you valuable life lessons and you may not even know it! The 10 items on this list are the greatest life lessons you can learn from playing the game. 1. Sometimes it's Okay to Bluff There may be a few times in life where you'll have to tell a white lie - and that's okay! Just like in a chess, you may need to act like you have it ask together when you're really shaking on the inside. This confidence throws people off and can even make them uncomfortable. Use it to your advantage. 2. Sometimes it's Okay to Lose Losing is not the worst thing that can happen to you in life. Sometimes you need to lose in order to learn something. Chess and life are the same in this regards as well. You can learn from our mistakes and come out of the gate with guns blazing next time. 3. Flexibility is Essential Things don't always go according to plan and people are unpredictable...
Post a Comment
Read more

10 Life Lessons By Lord Hanuman

Hanuman – the superhero, has the largest fan following all across the world, larger than any other superhero. Long before Superman and Batman came to save the world, Hanuman had already done his part and left a mark. The monkey god was born to King Kesari and Anjana. Since childhood, he was strong, fearless, patient, graceful, compassionate, humble and devoted. Did you know that Hanuman was blessed ‘Mrityunjay’ by Lord Shiva? Thus, while Lord Rama and Lord Krishna had to renounce and leave the world, Hanuman is immortal. This gives Him a special place amongst the Gods and Hindu culture. Hanuman was a great leader. His commendable leadership skills helped him in not only leading but also inspiring the army of monkeys to fight against the mighty Ravana successfully. Our favorite Hanuman sought knowledge from the Sun, his role model was Lord Rama and knew how to motivate his people and keep them going. He teaches us these super interesting life and leadership lesso...
Post a Comment
Read more

Life Lessons - Learnt From The Characters Of The Mahabharata

Here is a list of ten characters and what we can learn from what was once remembered by Vyasa and what was once heard by Arjuna. 1. Krishna taught us that one must perform his duty. Krishna opens his mouth and shows the entire cosmos to Arjuna. Krishna tells Arjuna that Dharma is both rock-like (Dhar) and pliable like wax (Flowing). Dharma is not your institutional religion. It is your natural and binding duty. It is of ethical nature and you are born with it. A king’s dharma is to perform his kingly duties. Dharma holds the cosmos together. Krishna teaches us how to be dutiful in challenging times. 2. From Duryodhana, we learned that ' pride comes before the fall .' Duryodhana teaches us how blind swa-dharma (desires for your own Self) can lead you to "Adharma." Duryodhana's greed is wrong, his methods are wrong. He teaches us that blind pride and wrong actions have consequences and one must be careful and thoughtful about their actions and thoughts....
Post a Comment
Read more