Om has a clear sound but a deep meaning. It is the cosmos condensed into one word, symbolizing the symbiotic relationship between the mind, body, and spirit that is at the core of yoga.
What Exactly Is Om?
Om is a Sanskrit word and proverb frequently chanted in Buddhist and Hindu rituals, among others.
At the beginning and end of a yoga session, it may be recited three times. Another way to spell it is “aum.”
The Om’s Power
According to Hindu belief, the sound of om contains the entire cosmos. It is the first sound ever made, encompassing the past, present, and future. Its significance and influence can, therefore, hardly be overstated. This is linked to the third eye (or some call the first eye) chakra in the chakra system, which stands for intuition and self-awareness.
Also, during meditation, the syllable Om is the foundation for many additional mantras. Om Namah Shivaya, for instance, signifies, “I honor the deity inside me.” Om shanti is an alternative to saying farewell, meaning “peace be with you.”
Om and mantras, including om, are frequently employed in spiritual practices, where they are treated with great reverence, even though yoga is not a religion. When adopting om into your daily life or yoga practice, it is simpler to apply the same reverence if you are aware of its religious and historical significance.
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Om in Yoga’s Meditation
The mantra Om is traditionally chanted at the start of a yoga session to welcome students into the time and environment spent on their yoga mats * or in meditation. In the same way, an om at the conclusion of class indicates that your physical exercise is over and it’s time to rejoin society.
Chanting aloud as a group also brings people together and fosters a sense of community. To feel at one with other people is impossible with the universe as you absorb the vibration of the chant and blend into your classmates’ voices.
‘Om’ Pronunciation
While teaching om, sometimes a lengthy o sound is used before a vibrating m. Some people like to divide the a and u sounds, making the sound more like an ah-oo-mm.
Symbol of Om
Om is frequently written as a Devanagari cursive ligature comprising the letters a, u, and the Chandra Bindu (, or ). The letter O’s social media symbol or emoji represents the revered sound, Om. In Sanskrit, the vowels a and u combine to form the sound of Om, pronounced: “a-u-m.” These three letters represent significant cultural triads: thought, speech, and action; earth, atmosphere, and heaven; and the three properties of matter (goodness, passion, and darkness).
The Study of Om
Scientists have studied the impact of the vibrations produced by chanting on the brain. Researchers examined the effects of employing om as a mantra using functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the participants’ brains as they chanted om and the sound “sss” as a control.
Facilitates Relaxation
The autonomic nerve system, which controls metabolism, heart rate, blood pressure, other bodily processes, and limbic brain regions, has all been linked to the relaxing effects of chanting the Om (an area that controls emotion, memories, and arousal).
Theta brain waves, which represent profound relaxation, were significantly increased by chanting om aloud for 30 minutes.
Delta waves, the same waves experienced during a night of profound, dreamless sleep, are also altered.
Advantages of Mental Health
Chanting the om might help treat the major depressive disorder. The sound impacts many people report from chanting the om are supported by science, although these studies are still considered preliminary. Moreover, similar brain activity like those produced by vagus nerve stimulation, a therapy for epilepsy and depression, was seen by researchers during the om times.
The Om Sign
The om sign has emerged as the unofficial yoga logo. You can find it tattooed on some yogis’ bodies, mats, t-shirts, studio walls, and mats.
It’s simple to overlook that this image in the yoga community has importance beyond simply expressing your devotion to all things yogic. Though its origin is unknown, the symbol’s three curves are considered to stand for three different mental states:
- Being awake
- State of dream
- Long slumber
The fourth state of consciousness, which occurs while you are halfway between the previous three states, is represented by the dot in the om symbol.
The three curves of the om sign can also stand for other things, such as the three worlds (earth, atmosphere, and heaven), the three main Hindu deities (Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva), or the three sacred Vedic texts (Rg, Yajur, Sama).
With Cultural Respect, Using Om
Given its roots in other religions, consider whether employing om in meditation or yoga is cultural appropriation. There are a few ways to ensure that you are treating people respectfully.
Recognize Om
First, learn what om means in the context of many spiritual traditions. Even if you do not subscribe to those spiritual principles, understanding the history of om is crucial for using it properly.
Find a Teacher with Knowledge
Your yoga practice will benefit greatly from having a teacher who is educated in the history of the word “om” and its various interpretations. They will help advise you on how to use om respectfully. When the word “om” is used as a meditation tool in a yoga session, ask the instructor to explain how to utilize it properly.
Maintain an Open Mind
Remember that you do not have to follow the religious beliefs of Hinduism, Buddhism, or Jainism to incorporate om into your meditation practice as you learn about the cultural and theological significance of the sound. But it would help if you comprehended the origins of the word om to employ it in your practice respectfully.
The Final Word from Doc T Elliott
The “om” used in meditation and yoga has been shown to affect its practitioners substantially. I use it daily in meditation and feel its relaxing sound and easy application. This om is a universal sound used all over the world. And it has become a common practice in yoga, meditation, and sound healing. Try it. You may also find it a relaxing activity to use in your routine for calming and relaxing.