Om Mantra, a way to connect with everything in and around the world
If you have ever been in a yoga class, it is highly likely that you have begun or ended your session with the traditional “Om Mantra” chanting. Having its roots in Hinduism, it is now scientifically proven that chanting the Om mantra during meditation positively affects our body. It is so surprising that something as small as four syllables can help you reduce your stress and attain mental peace.
Many studies on the Om mantra’s mental repetition have revealed that Om meditation can lead to physiological awareness and increased sensitivity to the environment. The studies contain a lot of information (pathological and physiological) that signals the positive effects of meditation. Furthermore, studies for loud chanting of Om mantra are also found to have shown neurophysiological changes.
How do you pronounce OM?
The best way to get the most out of your Om mantra chanting is through meditation. Take up the meditation position – legs folded, back straight, hands on knees, eyes closed, and thumb-index finger touching.
The Om mantra consists of 4 syllables A, U, M, and a silent syllable. You must pronounce it correctly to be able to experience it fully.
- The first syllable A is pronounced like a prolonged “awe.” The sound starts from the back of your throat and travels out. On pronouncing it, you will feel your chest and solar plexus vibrating.
- The second syllable U is pronounced as prolonged “OO” you will feel your throat vibrate. The sound would roll forward along your upper palate.
- The third syllable M is pronounced as prolonged “mmm,” the front teeth touching, with a slight vibration in the front mouth.
- The final syllable is a deep silence of the infinite. It would be something like merging “M” into the deep silence.
The three-letter word embodies the divine energy of Shakti and its three characteristics: Creation, Preservation, and liberation.
How can chanting Om Mantra help you?
Everything around us is in a state of vibration. The atoms have electrons that vibrate constantly. Nothing, though it seems stable, it is vibrating.
The sound of Om vibrates at the frequency of 432 Hz, the same vibrational frequency in everything throughout found around us. As you chant OM, the basic sound of the universe makes us come closer to our being, nature, and everything living and non-living in it.
The act of chanting can also relax the body and slow down our nervous system. The om mantra calms our body and mind. Chanting om can help you start or end your day more peacefully.
All in all, the beginning and end of your spiritual journey starts with Aum, which can help you connect with everything in and around the world more deeply.