The significance of OHM.

Every now and then people will ask me about the meaning of Ohm (or Om, or Aum, depending on where you are getting your information from).

Originally, the syllable Ohm comes from the Vedas, which are the ancient books that Hinduism is based on. It is mentioned many times throughout Hindu texts, but Jainism, Buddhism and Yoga have all taken the syllable as an integral part of their practices.

What does it mean?

The Divine. Nothing at all. The beginning, preservation and end of all things, and that which is beyond them. Or perhaps all and none of the above at the same time. The Vedas say it is the primordial sound from which all things derive. Just like in the bible the world is created by “the word of God”, in Hinduism that word is Ohm. Let’s explore the meaning using the depiction of the sound as an aid.

The meaning behind the symbol:

I’ve seen many different ways of depicting Ohm. The Tamil (Southern part of India) version is very different than the one we see mostly on the West. I will explain the meaning of Ohm using the symbol you will mostly likely see around you.

1. The larger curve creates the “Ah” sound, which is produced at the belly and expands in the throat with the mouth wide open. This very primal sound is usually the first for most alphabets, which I think is simply a “cool coincidence”. It symbolizes the waking state. Considering it is the larger curve, some say it’s conveying the fact that most people spend most of the time in this state, or that it is the “grossest” one of all (as opposed to subtle).
2. The middle curve creates the “Ooo” sound, which is a progression of the previous sound, simply by closing the mouth more and creating more resonance throughout the mouth, especially at the palate. It represents the state of regular sleep, in which we have dreams and our minds remain active, but we aren’t fully conscious of it. Yogis are able to access this dream world and use it in their waking state. Being a subtler level, it is the bridge between the waking state and the deep sleep.
3. The upper curve creates the “MMM” sound, created by closing the lips and allowing the sound to resonate throughout the mouth, forehead and the center of the head (third eye). I also like the fact that we have to close the mouth and let the vibration go inwards in order to get to the end of the syllable. I see it as a metaphor of the inward journey we must eventually undertake to go beyond ourselves. This sound represents our deep sleep state. Unlike regular sleeping, in this state we aren’t dreaming, and our bodies are in the state that is most conducive to healing and regeneration. Eastern traditions say in this state we are in absolute communion with our creator, and we have no desires or fears.
4. The Chandra-bindu (the crescent moon and the dot) represents the silence after the sound is completed. It symbolizes the fourth and ultimate state of consciousness, which is beyond all form and manifestation, beyond any form of consciousness you can describe or understand with your mind. You could say it’s the peaceful, blissful state which is the aim of Spiritual endeavors, in absolute connection with the source, and completely awake. I like the explanation I’ve seen in regards to the crescent moon separating the dot from the other curves. It’s supposed to symbolize Maya, or the illusion that prevents us from attaining the state of absolute communion with Divine Light.

 

The importance of OM

As I said earlier, Ohm could also mean nothing at all (depends on you!). For the Kabbalah, it’s one of the 72 names of God. Buddhist and Jain traditions also use the sound and have different meanings and explanations for it. The tri-fold nature of the sound lends itself to a myriad of other explanations, but I decided to cover here the most commonly taught in the yoga world.

I remember seeing in the back of an Aum meditation CD (I forgot the name of it), two distinct brainwave patterns taken from a scientific study. They represented the normal brain state compared to that of a person listening to the Aum CD, and the latter was indicative of a meditative, relaxed state.

You can feel it on your own: close your eyes, and after centering on your breath, chant ohm 10 times in a row. If you were paying attention to the sound and focusing completely on its vibration, you will feel a shift has occurred.

Having said that, many positive effects can be ascribed to harmony and music in general. Here’s a great link with information about healing and sound.

I’m not sure if the universe was created through the sound of Ohm. All I can say is that I like its symbolism, I love looking and drawing its shape, and most importantly, I thoroughly enjoy the sound of it. I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t get caught up in the meaning. I strongly believe that the less you concern yourself with the meaning, and the more present you are when you are chanting Ohm, the more you will understand it and enjoy it. This information is just to please the curious nature of the mind, but the object of Yoga is to calm the mind and go beyond it.

Let’s experience that bliss of communal Ohm once again.
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However our paths have crossed before, I hope to meet again in joyous occasions, each one an opportunity to celebrate our “beingness”.

Namaste,

Michael Brandwajn