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The Incredible Power of Om
OM is a sacred sound (mantra) of great importance in many Eastern religions. OM represents the primordial abstract, absolute space that is beyond attributes or forms, yet is the origin of everything. Thus Om mystically embodies the essence of the entire universe.
The syllable Om is composed of three sounds a-u-m. In Sanskrit, the vowels a and u combine to become o and the symbol’s threefold nature is central to its meaning. According to Hindu tradition, OM represents three important triads:
– The three worlds: earth, atmosphere, and heaven
– The three major Hindu gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva
– The three sacred Vedic scriptures: Rg, Yajur, and Sama
These meanings are further deepened by the Hindu philosophical belief that Brahman first created sound and the universe arose from it. As the most sacred sound, Om underwrites the universe and everything that exists and it continues to hold everything together.
Here’s How This Practice Works: Start every mantra, prayer, meditation, and affirmation with OM. Uttering the very syllable OM guarantees results because we elevate our consciousness to an octave that connects with the Field of Infinite Potential. The sound (vibration) of our thoughts is the amperage (oomph) we need to manifest what we want from the unmanifest.
Esoterically, this mantra is vocalized AUM or AOM. AUM is the bow, the arrow is the Self, and Brahman (the Absolute Reality) is said to be the mark. When we say AOM our mouth is opened with the A; it is rounded with the O and closed with the M. According to Hindu tradition, the A sound engenders everything, the O sound gestates everything, and everything is born with the M sound. You can literally feel the vibration throughout your entire body.
You might also find this interesting about threefold nature of the OM symbol: OM or AUM consists of three curves, one semicircle, and a dot.
- The large lower curve symbolizes our waking state which is influenced by the five physical senses.
- The upper curve denotes the state of deep sleep of our subconsciousness.
- The middle curve symbolizes our dream state.
- The semi circle symbolizes the illusion of maya and separates the dot from the other three curves. Maya prevents us from the realization of our highest state of bliss. The semi circle is open at the top, and doesn’t touch the dot. This means that this highest state is not affected by maya which only affects the manifested universe.
- The dot signifies a blissful state of consciousness and is the ultimate aim of all spiritual growth.
There is a nuance we’d like to share about using OM. It is the sacred fourth dimensional ‘sound of silence’ that follows uttering OM. It represents the omnipresence of oneness and universality that epitomizes the very nature of the universe. It reminds us that each of us are particularizations of that oneness and unity. We are not separate from it.
The Upanishads say that OM is Brahman in the form of sound. We agree. And we would add that we humans are the Eternal Presence in the form of us. So, we invite you to use OM as the first word you say in your affirmations, prayers, mantras, and meditations. The OM sound will connect you to the ‘Field of Infinite Potential’ which will guarantee the results you want by right of consciousness … as you walk the spiritual path on practical feet!
© 2012, 2015 Bil and Cher Holton, YourSpiritualPractice.com
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