"OM'kara: A Personal Insight into the Primordial Vibration"
Universal Sound:
"OM" is the primordial sound of creation of the universe
“OM” is called the Pranava, meaning the sound of the universe, the mother of all sounds. According to Hindu carvings, OM connects all living things with nature and the universe. Cosmic energy or prana keeps us alive. Life begins with one long, deep breath and ends with the next. When we stop breathing, we are not alive. “OM” is the entire universe, everything we can see, touch, hear and feel. It is the eternal music of the sacred universe. OMkar is our ultimate goal in life. OMkar leads us to the soul. It is the moksha that merges our soul with the Supreme Soul. “OM” is the rotation of the Earth, all planets. Everything in the universe is in motion and produces an “OM” sound all the time.
The sacred syllable "OM'' is the beginning of all sounds and creations. The description of OM comes from the four Upanishads (Mundaka, Mandukya, Svetasvatara and Kata), the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
According to the Mandukya Upanishad, “OM” is the syllable representing the past, the present, and the future. The Mundaka Upanishad says that Brahman is the target, OM is the bow, and the soul is the arrow. An accurate man should become one with the target, like an arrow, in order to reach it. One can unite with the immovable and be the self through nothing less than union with the absolute by letting go of the concepts of the body, the ego, and prana.
According to the Svetasvatara Upanishad, “OM '' is analogous to the fire that can only be detected when two sticks are rubbed against each other. Constant awareness of the sacred syllable OM reveals the self, which is analogous to that fire. Allow the body to be the stick that is scoured and OM be the stick that is scored against. After that, the true nature that is concealed within is revealed, just as fire is, in a sense, concealed within the wood.
In the classical yoga texts Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, describe Although PYS referred to pranava (“OM”) as Ishwara, Sutra 28 explains the sadhana required for Ishwara realization. Tajjapastadarthabhavanam is stated in Sutra 28 (Ch: I; V: 28). This indicates that, despite the fact that OM is not specifically mentioned, mental repetition of OM should be carried out while dwelling on its meaning.(Satyananda Saraswati Swami . Bihar School of Yoga; 1976.)
Syllabic Components of OM:
"A" represents creation, birth and the waking state of consciousness.
"U" represents preservation, life and the dream state of consciousness.
"M" represents dissolution, death and the deep sleep state of consciousness.
Three letters represent the three worlds: Earth, ether, and atmosphere
During chants and mantras, the sacred OM syllable is actually pronounced more like “a-u-m.”
Three letters represent significant cultural triads: earth, atmosphere, and heaven.
Three sounds represent the three states of consciousness: The lower curve "A" represent the waking state, the middle curve represents "U" of dream state, and the ”M" small upper curve is the state of deep sleep.
The three letters represent the major Hindu gods: Brahma(God of Creation), Vishnu(God of Preservation), and Siva(God of Destruction)
The three letters are the three original scriptures of the Vedas: Rg, Yajur, and Sama.
How to chant OM
OM consists of three Sanskrit letters A-U-M. The space between the lips and the back of the throat is where all articulate speech and sound is produced. Thus, when chanting A-U-M, we know that the A sound is uttered in the back of the throat -syllable creates a vibration in the chest, stomach and solar plexus, the U sound rolls forward on the upper palate - creates a vibration in the throat and middle part of the body, and the M sound is uttered with the lips - creates the resonates in the nasal and brain region. "A" is pronounced from the navel, "U" from the chest, and "M" from the head. The sound originates from the navel and must be taken up very slowly until the final sound "M" reaches the top of the head. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly and deeply. You can chant it out loud, or mentally.
In this way, the cosmic energy of the OM mantra resonates throughout a person's body, refreshing him from within and bringing positivity into his life.
Different ways of Chanting or Meditation “OM”
Loud or Audible Chanting with Breath (Ahata):- Loud chanting of “OM” either alone or in a group in synchronization with breath loudly or mentally along with the exhalation.
Mental or Silent Chanting (Anahata):- Mental chanting or silent repetition of “OM” in mind by focusing on the resonant.
With Visualization (Rupa Meditation):- Chanting of OM with visualizing OM symbol. Imagine it filling your body and spreading out into the world or decreasing the size of a mustard seed and increasing the size of a universal.
Why to chant OM
As you chant "OM", focus on the vibrations of your body, especially your chest, abdomen, and vocal cords.
This resonance has great benefits for physical and mental health. Chanting AUM gives energy and is very powerful.
Practicing OM’kar can help improve memory and brain capacity over time, as well as improve lung capacity.
And also give rest and relaxation to our body and mind. OM generates positive energy and helps calm the mind.
Chanting OM supports strengthening the immune system and self-healing.
Chanting OM brings positive energy to the body and helps calm the mind.
Regular chanting of OM reduces anger, reduces fear and alleviates anxiety.
Chanting OM’Kar before bed promotes sound sleep and reduces insomnia and disturbing dreams.
The silence that follows the chanting of "OM'' represents the ultimate reality or pure consciousness beyond the three states.
Chanting OM can help in purifying and balancing your third eye (Ajna Chakra). Regular practice over a long period of time activates the 'Ajna Chakra'.
Mantras and chants are claimed to clear the energy in the space surrounding them. This, combined with the body's relaxation and mind's concentration, produces the ideal environment for a profound and restorative meditation practice.
Chanting clears the energy of the space(room, yoga center and surrounding), enabling healing and positive energy to emanate for both our own practice and the practice of others who come after us.
When to chant OM
Chanting OM is usually done at the beginning of meditation. Therefore, the best time for chanting is early in the morning when the area is naturally quiet.The ideal times to chant OM are Brahmamuhurta, Noon and 6 o'clock in the Evening. OM can be chanted at any time and as many times as you like. Chanting OM can be done at any time of the day and at any time and can be done by anyone.
Most commonly, OM is chanted three times during a prayer, ritual, or other religious practice. However in meditation chanting can be done 5 to 30 min or 21 to 108 times you can chant depending on the time. In the yogic tradition, they are considered auspicious numbers.
Posture suitable to Chanting OM
Before you begin chanting, find a quiet place. Sit in a comfortable position.For maximum comfort, sit cross-legged with your back upright. Make sure you are comfortable in your clothes. Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing to help you feel unrestrained and free. You need to be extremely comfortable to allow your body's channels to flow freely.
Cross-legged poses are very common in yoga. When you sit cross-legged, you will notice that your back naturally rises and your buttocks become firmer. This creates a better foundation for sitting and meditating. Padmasana (full lotus), Ardha Padmasana (half-lotus), Siddhasana, and Sukhasana (any easy cross-legged position) are some of the ideal sitting positions.
Even beginners can sit in Sukhasana (an easy pose). Whatever position you choose, make sure your spine and back of your head remain straight and in line. The chest should be open and the chin should be parallel to the floor.
If this is difficult, try other sitting positions. Other sitting positions include kneeling poses such as Virasana (sitting between the heels) and Vajrasana (sitting on the heels). Sitting on a raised cushion reduces foot and knee pain. You can also use a pillow, towel, blanket or bolster to support your knees and ankle.
If you have difficulty sitting down or have a knee injury, sit on a comfortable chair with your legs on the floor. Always try to keep your back straight. Place your hands on your knees, thighs, or stacked on top of each other. Close your eyes quietly and keep them closed until the chant is finished.
Feel the vibrations that run through the body.
Scientific Studies on OM
Linguists and phonologists have studied the phonetic elements of "om" and its different pronunciations in different languages and cultures. They examine how the sounds 'A', 'U' and 'M' are produced and what they mean in linguistic and phonological contexts.
Now let’s scientifically examine the research done by Devi, HJ, Swamy, NVC, and Nagendra, HR., (2004) an analysis done on sound related to all the 4 letters (A, U, M & OM) shows the waveforms of a female and male voice that A has a flat signal, U is initially flat but tapers off, M also taper off like U, but OM shows the mix of all the three sound.
Scholars have studied the rich meanings and symbolism associated with “OM” in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and other related traditions. They explore its role in cosmology, metaphysics and religious practices.
Studies have explored the effects of chanting "OM" and its variations on brain activity, meditation practices, and overall health. Neuroscientific studies have explored the potential physiological and psychological benefits of chanting "OM" during meditation.
Art historians and cultural researchers analyse the visual representation of the "OM" symbol, its historical development, and its presence in architecture, sculpture, and other artistic expressions.
Scholars have compared the concept of "OM" in various religious and cultural contexts. They explore its similarities and differences in how it is understood and used in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and even Western New Age spirituality.
A philosophical examination of the deep metaphysical meaning of "OM" is undertaken to discuss the relationship between reality, consciousness and the concept of the nature of existence.
Several studies have investigated the psychological and therapeutic effects of 'OM' chanting and its integration into mindfulness practices, stress reduction and relaxation techniques.
Anthropologists and sociologists have studied the role of 'om' in cultural contexts. This includes understanding how it is incorporated into the ceremonies, rituals and daily life of people from different communities.
Research Conclusion
Research shows that chanting OM can cause many physiological changes, including Increased awareness, increased sensitivity to sensory transmission, improved concentration, decreased stress levels, heart rate, blood pressure, and skin resistance.
Chanting OM is a great practice that energizes the body and mind at the same time. Chanting correctly fills your body with a lot of positivity, calmness and energy.
Chanting OM reduces anxiety and depression, allows for a better state of relaxation, and contributes to improved mental and physical health.
It is considered to be the primordial cosmic sound, the sum total of all sounds that excludes all psychological pressures and worldly thoughts.
Breathing at 6 breaths per minute showed an increase in mental alertness (as evidenced by a decrease in heart rate) even when physiologically relaxed.
Research has suggested that OM or Aum chanting created a significant impact on the spinal cord of a person. The vibrations created during OM meditation enhance the efficiency of the spinal cord.
The 'OM' chanting's neurohemodynamic correlations point to limbic inactivation. The study's findings support a potential function for this 'OM' chanting in clinical practice because comparable observations have been made with the vagus nerve stimulation therapy used to treat depression and epilepsy.
Studies have shown that meditation improves heart health. Pronunciation of OM improves blood pressure and cardiac autonomic nervous system tone, reducing the risk of coronary artery disease.
Study showed that a brief chanting of OM (5 min) might enhance parasympathetic nervous system activity, promote relaxation, and provide calmness. Further, experience may be achieved effectively in individuals experienced in yoga than non-yoga practitioners.
Comments
Post a Comment