What is the meaning of AUM?
As per old scriptures, AUM or OM is a meditational practice with importance, significance and health benefits. It is said that AUM is the king of all Mantras. The rest of the mantras can be recited quickly and well if you learn the chanting. Everyone can chant it.
The correct method of OM chanting
- To get the maximum benefits of AUM, the practitioners should know how to pronounce OM.
- The best way of OM chanting is A-A-A-A-A-A-U-U-U-U-U-U-M-M-M-M-M-M.
- Aum can be chanted slowly or quickly.
- If it is chanted quickly, it is a powerful method to synchronise it with the heartbeat, resonating throughout the whole body in tune with the natural heart rate.
- If Aum is chanted slowly, it can last for many seconds, depending on the individual’s capacity.
- The pronunciation of the syllables ‘A’, ‘U’ and ‘M’ is as follows: ‘A’ is pronounced like ‘AH’ or ‘a’ in the word ‘palm’. The syllable ‘U’ is pronounced ‘oo’ as in the word ‘room’. The syllable ‘M’ is sounded after ‘A’ and ‘U’ like a humming sound: ‘m-mm-m-m-m-m-m-m’.
Health Benefits of AUM Chanting
- The chanting of OM brings innumerable benefits. Its benefits get manifold if someone experiences its reciting.
- If you desire to reach the highest stage of meditation, the best part is to chant OM and personal realisation.
- It unites the limited existence with the unlimited. Aum merges the microcosm with the macrocosm, the individual with the universal.
- It is the best and most powerful tool to relax the mind and body.
- It helps to combat many psychosomatic disorders.
- Those who are having depressed/negative emotions should practice it.
Top facts about OM
- According to the Mandukya Upanishad, “The syllable Aum is the universe.
- It is the absolute.
- It is past, present and future in perspective of time.
- The syllables A, U, and M represent Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the sustainer) and Shiva (the dissolver).
- It is said that OM meaning can’t be explained. It is beyond intellectual concepts.
- It has been mentioned in many ancient texts such as Mandukya Upanishad, Dhyanabindu Upanishad, Shweteswatara Upanishad, Maitri Upanishad, Bhagavad Gita and Yoga Vashishtha.
- It is not only confined to Indian spiritual systems. It is found in the Islamic faith in the modified form of Amin and in the religions of Judaism and Christianity in the form of Amen.
Duration
The duration of practising OM depends from person to person. Some people practice it for hours. Some people practice it continuously, whether working, playing, eating or sleeping.
Steps of AUM chanting
- Sit in a comfortable position by closing your eyes.
- Start reciting Aum, either slowly or quickly, with full awareness.
- Let’s feel the sound comes from your whole being.
- Maintain this position as long as you can. Preferably, it should be 15 minutes.
- During this state, one can also focus on the pulse at the eyebrow centre.
