Aum Meaning ॐ | Om̐ The Secrets of the Buddhist Symbol

The meaning of the Om symbol

Om', 'Ohm' or 'Aum' is a sacred sound which is generally known as the sound of the universe. Om is all-encompassing, the essence of ultimate reality, and unifies everything in the universe.

The vibrations that the Om sound creates are believed to energize the chakras throughout the body, particularly the third eye and the chakras of the the crown, which help us connect with our Divine self.

The sound Om is a short mantra, "seed", which is chanted to connect with the chakras and give them energy

The Om symbol represents sound in a visual form and has a lot of meaning behind it. Om is one of the most important spiritual symbols and is found in many ancient Hindu texts, prayers and ceremonies.

Elements of the Om symbol

The Om symbol is a combination of curves, a crescent and a point. Themeaning of the Omsymbol, while purely looking at its visual form, comes from the states of consciousness that the Aum sect represents. The letter 'A' represents the waking state, 'U' represents the dream state and 'M' is the unconscious state, or deep sleep state.

In the symbol, the waking state is represented by the bottom curve, the dream state is the middle curve, and the deep sleep state is represented by the top curve. The crescent shape above the curves indicates Maya, or Illusion, which is the obstacle that lies in the path to achieving the highest state of bliss.

The dot at the top of the symbol represents the absolute state, which is the fourth state of consciousness and is absolute peace and bliss. It is believed that this fourth state is the state in which one could truly connect with the Divine.

The state of unconsciousness, or deep sleep, is the state where the mind is closed, dreaming and desiring nothing. The waking state is general awareness, looking outward and involving the use of the five senses in experiencing the world.

The dream state is when consciousness is turned inward and a different world is experienced through dreams. The absolute state is when consciousness faces neither inward nor outward, but is calm and blissful in the ultimate spiritual state of being.

Om & Ganesha

The meaning of the symbol Om also represents the Hindu God, Ganesha , as the shapes vaguely represent its elephant form. The curves to the left of the symbol represent its head and stomach, while the curve to the right represents its trunk.

Ganesha is more commonly known as the God who removes obstacles, which corresponds to the Ohm meaning, because one must overcome all obstacles and let go of everything before the absolute state of being can be achieved.

Om & Brahma

The Ohm meaning also comes from the belief that the vibrations of the sound sung are linked to the vibrations that created the world. This comes from the Hindu belief that the thoughts of the Creator God Brahma triggered a vibration that transformed into the sounding Om, and this is what led to the creation of the world. Om is also called Pranava, which means being in control of one's life force.

Jewelry with the Om symbol is very popular because it represents unity and can serve as a reminder of the need to breathe and concentrate. It is a peaceful symbol with which it is very useful in yoga and meditation. Chanting Om in a yoga class is a very common practice as it helps calm the mind and rejuvenate the body.

Holy Trinity & Om

The difference in the spelling of the word Om, Ohm or Aum, simply comes from its translation from the Sanskrit version: Aum. There is no different meaning behind the spelling although Aum refers to the actual sound of the word, while Om or Ohm is how it is usually spelled.

The three components Phonetics of the Aum sectrepresent the rule of three, as religions are generally built around some sort of holy trinity.

Not only does Aum represent the three states of consciousness, but the three realms: Earth, Heaven and Underworld, as well as the Hindu triumvirate of Gods: Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the sustainer), and Shiva ( the destroyer).

THE HISTORY OF THE OM SYMBOL

The first mention of Om was made in the Upanishads, specifically in the Mandukya Upishad, which is a Hindu sacred text that focuses on different theories of the Ohm meaning. In this text it is said that Om is imperishable and is about all states of time, past, present, future, as well as transcending time itself.

These texts are associated with Vedanta, one of the six Hindu philosophies, and the etymological aspects of the meaning ohm are discussed in detail in the oldest Vedantic texts. They consider the meaning of the Om symbol to be inexhaustible and infinite language and knowledge, and the essence of all that exists and of life itself.

USING OM TODAY

The symbol Om and the song Om are frequently used throughout the world today. The meaning of the Om symbol is very powerful and can be meaningful because many people can relate to it. The symbol is that of peace, tranquility and unity and reminds people to slow down and breathe. Thus, the symbol is very popular as a form of jewelry.

Also read: The symbolism of the three jewels in Buddhism

Yoga and meditation - Chanting is also widely repeated in yoga and meditation practices. It is used because the sound, and the vibrations it produces, helps calm the mind and central nervous system.

Stress can easily build up in our everyday lives, so it can be very helpful and beneficial to our health to set aside time to chant and quiet the mind. The Ohm meaning also means unity so that when the sound is sung in a class, it brings the group together.

It is believed that chanting helps align the body, mind and soul, which is why people feel more connected with themselves after meditating and practicing chanting. Between the songs, there is a space of silence, which represents the fourth state of being: the absolute state or Turiya.

There are many benefits of chanting Om every day. These include reducing stress levels, improving concentration, regulating your sleep cycle...

WHY WEAR OM JEWELRY?

Even today, OM jewelry has a particular symbolism. They are often used in yoga sessions, but also for your well-being. The jewel is often associated with lithotherapy stones such as lapis lazuli and amethyst .

THE BENEFITS

The benefits ofOM jewelry are numerous :

- Managing your emotions: OM jewelry supports you in the work of managing your emotions.

- It helps you grow personally

- It soothes negative emotions: OM is best known for its calming effects.

- It regulates all body organs such as the digestive system. Ideal for people with difficult digestion.