AUM | Lesson 1

🕉 OM / AUM 🕉

Which is correct spelling, OM or AUM? 🕉

- A Sanskrit word

- AUM spelling is the correct one

- OM is the short form of AUM

AUM has several meanings 🕉

- The Sound of All Sounds

- The Sound of The Universe

- The Sound of All Creation

- The Beginning of Life

What does AUM mean in Hinduism? 🕉

- AUM is a sacred sound and one of the most important spiritual symbols.

- It refers to Atman (soul, self within) and Brahman (ultimate reality, truth, divine, supreme spirit, cosmic principles, knowledge).

WHY repeat (chant) the sound AUM 3 times? 🕉

- The sound AUM has physical and mental effects; it calms the mind and the nervous system.

- Chant AUM 3 times because it symbolizes the three worlds of the Soul: past, present and future.

The 4 elements or separate parts of AUM 🕉

- AH - OH - MMM - Silence

- The first 3 are vocal sounds: A, U, and M

- The 4th sound is unheard or silent; begins and ends the audible sound, the silence which surrounds it.

Benefits of Chanting AUM 🕉

- Releases tension and dispels negative energy

- Promotes a feeling of total peace

- Releases power for spiritual vibration

- Fills the entire self with luminous energy

Chant AUM 3 times to begin and end meditation.

Basic process is as follows:

- Sit comfortably with your spine long

- Bring your hands to a Mudra (hand position)

- Simply inhale and exhale

- Take a deep breath IN

- On your exhale chant AUM (remember the 4 distinct parts) for approximately 10 seconds

- Repeat 2 more times, deep breath in, and exhale AUM

- Pause ... inhale and exhale

- Hands to prayer 🙏 at heart centre (Anjali Mudra)

- Say “Namaste” 🙏 and bow forward

- Pause for 1-2 breaths

- Slowly rise back up to a seat

AUM Mantra: “I AM PART OF LIFE’S JOYFUL SOUND” 🕉

... next time I’ll talk more about the deeper meaning of the AUM’s 4 parts ...