OM: The sound of Universe

The Sanskrit word "OM" was first found in the Vedas, originating between 1500 – 1200 BC in India. Initially it was not written, while later it was vibrated into existence through human speech. In the Upanishads, the ancient Indian text one can find the first written explanation, teachings on the metaphysics of OM.

David Frawley, a teacher of Vedas says, “Om is the Word of God.” The sound OM is a vibration from which all the manifest universe emanates. Form and creation come from vibration. OM is the most elemental of vibrations. It is the sound of the void. Frawley says: “Om is the prime mantra of the Higher Self or Atman. It attunes us with our true nature. It is the sound of the creator, preserver, and destroyer of the universe, who is also the inner guru and prime teacher. It reflects both the manifest and un-manifest Brahman, sustaining the vibration of being, life, and consciousness in all worlds and all creatures.”

According to Paramahansa Yogananda, author of the Autobiography of a Yogi: “Om or Aum of the Vedas became the sacred word Hum of the Tibetans, Amin of the Moslems, and Amen of the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Jews, and Christians.” The syllable has been translated into many different languages, cultures, and religious traditions, but the creative and transformative power of the sound remains the same. In the Bible, the word Amen is connected to the beginning of the creation of the Universe: “These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God.”

So what is OM?

A sound? A vibration? An energy? Or the creator him/herself?

OM is a doorway to connect with the divine, the one within and the one breathing living existing in every life around us. The power of two syllabus is a reminder to treat our words, speech, sound as sacred divine energy. What we say, we create. What we give our attention, we manifests. We are the powerful creators of our reality, our existence. OM helps us in realising our truth, and the truth of the universe. The more we focus on OM, the more we become closer to the atman, the supreme soul.

Beginners guide to OM meditation

Start by breathing deeply as you repeat the sound of OM while focussing on third eye point. Awareness can also be on the forehead or any exterior small object. A 3 to 5 minutes Om awareness breathing can later be stretched according to the practitioners progress and comfort. One can incorporate chanting of OM mantra for 108 times with a Japa Mala. Chanting of OM, listening to the quiet soothing sounds/vibration of OM has a calming effect as the mind, body and heart steadily unite in equanimity.

ॐ (om)