What is Om - Understand the meaning of

Om
By Mantra Quest

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Copyright © 2018 By Mantra Quest, All Right Reserved

Reproduction, distribution, republication, and/or retransmission of material contained within this book are
prohibited unless the prior written permission of Mantra Quest has been obtained

The information in this book is solely education purpose. Mantra Quest writes what he learns and read from
scriptural books and Vedas

However, I have to warn you about something. Sometimes, people think or feel that the benefits from
Mantras come easily or instantly. It doesn’t.
WHAT IS OM - UNDERSTAND THE
MEANING OF OM
Om is the king of Mantras. Om is the most primitive structure of all gods. Since we
are idol worshipers, we need some image in front of us when we chant Mantras.

But if you just think, feel, visualize and chant Om, you will get benefits of all
Mantras. Such is the power of Om.

Om consists of three alphabets, A, U, and M. These three alphabets represent

Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. If you want to chant any Mantra, it should be
prefixed by Om.

It is the ultimate Bij Mantra. As we know, Bij is the power of any whole Mantra.
Thus, Om enhances the power of that particular Mantra. It is said that Brahma
performed penance for the beginning of this universe.

He chanted Om for his 12 years. In human terms that’s 37,32,480 crores years!
After that he heard the reverberation of Om and Gayatri all throughout the
reality. From this sound and his atman, he created our solar system which
contains our world.

Effect of Om

The smaller the Mantra the greater is its power. We know that big things which
are called ‘jad’ are loosely bonded whereas small things which have more
concentration and are called ‘sukshm’.

So, of all the Mantras, Om is the smallest but the most powerful.
The Mantra has Maatras i.e. vowels. Om has 3 and ½ Maatras. That are A, U, and
M and the ½ is Anuswara. It has further 16 Mantras and each Mantra has four
division.

Each division is divided into purush and prakriti. Thus,further division of these
vowels coincides with our number of sensory nerves.

Thus, by chanting Om these nerves are activated and become strong. The
chanting of Om [systematically] affects our organs from toe, feet, femur, legs,
hips waist, chest, shoulders, neck, spinal cord, medulla oblongata, pituitary gland
and brain, eyes, ears, tongue, teeth, where our sensory nerves are active.

The ‘M’ of Om affects our pituitary gland. It controls our other glands, such as
hypothalamus, thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, pineal, reproductive glands and
pancreas. So the hormones in our body are regulated and overall health is
maintained.

The stimulation of hypothalamus due to the sound waves emanating from the
pronunciation of‘M’ helps in controlling our negative emotions like anger, sorrow,
misery and jealousy effectively. Eventually, the diseases caused due to such
emotions can be prevented in advance.

OM MANTRA-THE LANGUAGE OF
THE COSMOS
Mantra chanting has been an integral part of our Hindu traditions with over
thousands of mantras written in respect to different deities and planetary
pacification. We might all have come across the word “Om” denoted as ॐwhich
is imbibed in the beginning of every mantra.

So the most obvious question is –

What is the significance of “Om” word in mantra chanting?

Om as a beej mantra- a Mahamantra

Like other seed mantras or beej mantras “Om” is also a beej mantra which is
elemental to every mantra which signifies both void and infinity at the same time.

“Om” mantra comes in the category of Mahamantra and is considered as the

basic life force in this universe and is a cosmic vibration which doesn’t need
anyone for its creation.

It is the basic or the fundamental frequency of every natural thing in this world.
When prefixed with all other mantras it provides the manifestation of cosmic
energy to other mantras and is immensely powerful.

Om mantra as the basic life force

Chanting of “Om” mantra creates a fundamental frequency of 432 Hz which is

also known to be the fundamental frequency of everything in this Universe.
Therefore chanting of this mantra can help resonate ourselves to the energy of
this Universe and is said to create a “feeling of oneness”.

Chanting of Om signifies all the three divine form of

Gods

“Om” sometimes also written as “AUM” for allowing the readers for its correct
pronunciation embodies the three most divine forms of Gods and their energy i.e.
the Brahma- the creator, the Vishnu- the preserver& the Mahesh (Shiva)- the
destroyer. So chanting “Om” mantra can at a time signify all the three forms of
energy.

When chanted during puja, the word Om is also said to address and invoke the
Lord Ganesh who has to be worshipped before every Gods and Goddesses for his
blessings as he is the Vighnakarta (creator of obstacles) & the Vighnaharta
(remover of obstacles).

Significance of Om in Mandukya Upanishad

According to Mandukya Upanishad, the word “AUM” in its very alphabetical form
addresses the three states of the humans which are- the wakening state or the
conscious state (jagruti state), the sub-conscious state(dream state)
&theunconscious state (sushupt state).The final state is the state of silence.

You might question about its working.

So let us know how “Om” mantra chants work on the

body.

The “AUM” word is a transitory arrangement where the starting part “aauu”
starts working in the lower abdomen and chest which further elevates to the
thoracic region during the transition to “uuu” and finally the “mmm” further
raises this energy to the nasal region and the cranial part of the body.

Person chanting this mantra can feel the transitory rise of energy from their navel
region to the nasal region.

Regular chanting of this mantra creates vibrations in the head and crown region
of the body and is considered an important chant in Chakra healing as it targets
and cleanses the 6thchakra( between the eyebrows) and the 7th chakra(in the
crown region).

Can chanting of “Om” mantra really affect our physical and psychological states?

Numerous studies and scientific experiments have found out that repetition of
the word “Om” has great healing benefits and its regular chants can significantly
affect our physical and mental conditions.

Many proven cases have been witnessed where mere chanting of this mantra has
cured people from various diseases.

How do I chant Om?

Despite the spelling ‘Om’, the pronunciation of this Mantra is A (अ), U (उ), M(म),
in that order. The transition of this pronunciation from one letter to another
should be seamless. There should be no interruption in between. So it is actually
pronounced as OO - MM (ओं).

For common people, the duration of the three letters is quite standard. The
pronunciation of letter ‘A’ needs 2 seconds, ‘U’ needs 3 seconds and ‘M’ needs 5
seconds respectively.

There are two ways to chant this Mantra, with two sub-types in the second one.

Sit in sahajasan [ simple state] or Padmasan.

Take long breath three times and slowly inhale and exhale. Then chant three
times Pranav i.e. Om (number of ‘s’ is an extension of that pronunciation).

1.Pranav: -ओऽऽऽऽऽऽम ् [Three times]

2. (a) ॐऽऽऽॐऽऽऽॐऽऽऽ[11 times]

 (b)ॐऽऽऽॐऽऽऽॐऽऽऽॐऽऽऽ[11times]

Another way is doing Omkar after pranayam. Sometimes we are very much
disturbed and angry because of our helplessness. In this situation you should not
directly start doing Omkar as it might give an adverse effect.

As you know emotions create chemical effect in your system. When the anger,
sorrow, or trauma is stuck on your mind there is disturbance in our system. To
resolve this if you start doing Omkar, there will be a mixing of two chemical
reactions and the end product will be stroke.

So, if you want to calm down your emotions by Omkar, first breathe
slowly.Gradually inhale and exhale for 2to 3 minutes.

Check the pulse whether it is going steady. And then put your palms on your eyes,
to close them fully, close ears by two fingers, inhale full and then do Omkar with
मsssssss as long as possible until exhaling full.

Do it 5 times or 11 times.

Then remove hands rub against each other and put again on eyes.

You will feel fresh, calm and relaxed. One thing to be kept in mind, that never
chant any bijakshar Mantra if you are disturbed by something or you are worrying
about something and thinking of it alone.

Be calm, throw away all thought and concentrate on the image of OM or your
favorite deity and chant Mantra. This will give you best effect.

Benefits of Om:-

Regular chanting of OM gives you spiritual as well as physical benefits. Your mind
will be calm, memory will increase, all deformities will vanish, unnecessary anger
will be reduced, your skin will glow and you will become healthy.
It will also remove chronic illnesses such as ulcers, high/low blood pressure,
kidney trouble, asthma, constipation, infertility etc.

Some of the benefits of “Om” mantra chanting have been

listed below:

Improves your cardiac health

Continuous chanting of “Om” mantra can significantly affect the irregularities of

your cardiac rhythm and bring it back to normal. It can also help people control
the variations in their pulse rate due to the irregular heartbeat. The penetrative
frequency generated during the chant can also remove any heart blockages and
coronary artery diseases.

Treats insomnia

Chanting of “Om” mantra has an impact on the crown region where it produces
uniform alpha brainwave signals which puts us into a state of relaxation and can
induce sleep. Chanting of this mantra before bed for at least 15 minutes can put
our mind to rest and can makes us fall asleep.

Controls thyroid imbalance

People suffering from thyroid imbalance due to the hyper and hypo secretion can
chant “Om” mantra which can significantly alter the imbalance and bring it back
to normal functioning. The vibration created in the thoracic region where the
thyroid gland is located is energised while chanting “Om” mantra.
Kills migraine pain and sinus problems

The transitional shift when reciting “Om” mantra creates a strong vibration in the
nasal cavity which can help clear out the nasal passage and can help get rid of
sinus problems. The vibration so created also gets concentrated in the Ajna
chakra (third eye chakra) which helps to kill throbbing pains of migraine.

Cures stomach problems

Stomach problems like stomach ache and irritable bowel syndrome can easily be
controlled with the help of “Om” mantra recitation. The force created in the
stomach while chanting the first alphabet “A” helps remove most of the diseases
related to stomach.

Helps cure bronchial asthma and other respiratory problems

Proper chanting of “AUM” with significant stress on “aauu”, “ooo” & ‘mmm” and
finally a pause after it can help you control your breathing rate and it has been
scientifically proven in improving the pulmonary functions in people.

Detoxifies your body

The frequency created by the repetition of the word “Om” has immense power to
percolate through the cells and improve its working. The toxins present in the
cells can be shredded while chanting for significant time which can help you look
more youthful and create a strong aura.

Can alter gene behaviour

A regular recitation of “Om” mantra can trigger a change in the functioning of the
gene at the microscopic level which can help change the metabolism activities,
insulin secretion and immune system. So a person with genetic disorders can get
cured with continuous chanting though it may take a significant amount of time.

Improves focus and concentration

Chanting of “Om” mantra for a significant amount of time helps you get rid of all
the negative thoughts and helps get rid of your stress. While chanting, a person
starts focussing on “Om” and after each chant he can feel the state of inner
pacification and healing from within which helps him to become more alert
mentally.

“Om” chanting has a myriad of benefits and it has now been accepted as a
universal form of meditation worldwide with people of different ethnicity and
religion accepting its powerful benefits.

Though “Om” has its roots in Sanskrit Vedic text but it should not be attached to
any religion as this is the natural sound of the Universe where all of us can
manifest into by being a part of it while chanting.

Chanting “Om” mantra does not necessary requires any help of a Guru and one
can start chanting it from today to reap its benefits.

Know how Om Mantra Chants Work on The Soul, Body

and Life
In Hindu religion the most important symbol is Om Mantra. Many mantras start
and end with it.

It is a symbol that is found in many ancient Hindu texts, for example the first line
in Rig Veda consists of ‘Om.’ The most powerful Hindu Mantra, the Gayathri
Mantra, starts with it.

According to Katho Upanishad anyone who understands this syllable, understands

the entire universe and will get what he desires.

Om as a symbol is not just limited to Hinduism, its references and importance is

found in other religions like, Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism too.

Importance of OM (AUM):
As per Mandukya Upanishad, AUM signifies the entire universe and its existence.
There are many explanations and theories on its meaning and importance.

AUM signifies time

According to Upanishads OM Mantra not only signifies three fold of time, the
past, present and the future but also the fourth fold of time. This fourth fold of
time is that which transcends time.

It signifies all state of consciousness

It defines all state of consciousness i.e. A-Awake, U- dream and M-deep sleep and
also the fourth state of ek atma. This fourth state is without an element and
describes oneness with self.

It signifies all state of Atman

AUM summarizes four states of self that is A-Atman seeking the physical form, U-
Atman seeking the inner self, M-Atman seeking the spiritual consciousness. The
fourth state is the eternal state where in you realize the oneness with self.
It signifies all knowledge
The first element ‘A’ represents obtaining or reaching, the second element ‘U’
represents exaltation or intermediateness and the third element represents
constructing or erecting. The fourth is without an element, without any
development and is beyond the entire expanse of the universe.

Find OM Mantra Mediation Techniques and Their

Benefits

Meditation is a journey of self-discovery. OM mantra meditation can be accessible

to people belonging to all backgrounds and can be done without any rituals.

There are different ways of OM mantra meditation which can help calm your
body and soul.

Meditating Loudly

In this way you chant OM loudly. This meditation will give you peace, calmness
and tranquility. By chanting OM loudly you create vibrations which connect you to
your spirituality. Chanting loudly purifies your ambiance and increases positive
vibes around you. To chant loudly follow few steps

 Set a particular time of the day. Typically chanting early morning gives you
best result but it is not compulsory. You can chant whenever you feel
relaxed.
 Set the total time you wish to chant. It can be anything 5mins, 10 mins, 15
mins or 20 mins.
 Choose a clean calm place, where you can chant comfortably without any
disturbances.
  Relax and try to feel the vibrations you create while chanting. The more
relaxed you will be the better.
 While chanting OM loudly try to take the sound out of your navel and
gradually upwards towards your nostrils.

Meditating Silently

Silent meditation is considered to be the most effective way of meditation. By

silent meditation you will connect to your spiritual side quickly and efficiently.
Things to keep in mind are:

 By chanting silently you can meditate anywhere and anytime.

 Chant as long as you want. For example you can chant for 5 minutes during
your lunch break.
 You can do with or without any lip movements depending on the kind of
situation you are in.

Chanting OM in a group

This method of chanting has become popular in recent times. Currently there are
more than 500 chanting groups around the world. Many Yoga classes chant OM
before and after each session. There are many workshops, where a group
meditates together.

Do OM mantra meditation for your wellbeing by following any ways you are
comfortable with.

It is very difficult to understand AUM completely. Many great scholars describe

the physical state as one fuel stick and the syllable AUM the second fuel stick.

With discipline and meditation and diligent rubbing of both the sticks you will
unlock the concealed fire of inner thought and self-awareness.
With this inner thought you will realize the reason of existence, the meaning and
purpose of atman and the God within self.