The mantra Aum - the start of everything
Everything starts with Aum. Well, my journey started with Aum literally.
It was the Aum chanting by the end of some yoga classes that got me questioning What is Aum? and from there, I dive deeper into this whole new way of doing life. Seven years later, I find myself writing, drawing, talking and sharing about it on a daily basis.
So, WHAT IS AUM? AND WHY EVERYTHING STARTS WITH AUM?
Basically, Aum (ॐ) or Om is believed to be the vibration by which the Supreme brings all things into manifestation. It is the sound of creation, or called the seed sound of the universe.
The word Om appears to have come from the Mandukya Upanishad, one of a collection of ancient texts on Hinduism philosophy. It shares that ‘Om is what has been, what is and what shall be’.
Om represents everything – the beginning, the middle and the end, the past, the present and the future. It encompasses all sounds – mankind, nature, machinery … it is the hum of the earth. ~ Mandukya Upanishad.
Aum or Om is both a visual symbol and a sacred mantra which can be heard and spoken. The syllable is composed of the three sounds ‘A’, ‘U’ and ‘M’ – AUM.
'A' sound presents the beginning of the creation of the universe. It also embodies the waking state. The sound starts from big breath into the belly and travel up to the chest.
'U' sound stands for dream state and indicates the energy you carry along and preserve. Continuing from the 'A' sound, the sound is moved forward gradually and steadily.
'M' sound denotes the unconscious state or the state of deep sleep. It signifies the humming sound of closing.
After the AUM is the fourth sound of silence to complete the cycle from beginning to ending. It is also for being ready to start a new cycle.
Chanting AUM is believed to help with relaxation, slowing down, and being conscious of our physical, mental & spiritual beings.
The Aum symbol is interpreted as the most untainted base of life and of everything that is. It is eternal knowledge and language, infinite and without end.
The bottom curve of the Aum symbol presents the waking state, the dream state is represented by its mid curve, and the upper curve is interpreted as the state of deep sleep. The crescent above these curves means illusion (“maya”), which obstructs the route to the ultimate state of bliss. The dot on top of the Aum symbol is meant to represent the state of bliss or the absolute state.
Understanding the meaning of the mantra Aum in terms of its sound and visual symbol helps deepening our practice with this sacred mantra. It is believed to help us get to the absolute state.
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You can find the printable artwork of the Aum symbol and meaning here: