People who chant the mantra 'Om' consider it to be the 'primordial sound' – the sound of the Universe itself. As such, it has no translation, a bit like The Tao has no translation either. Yet, perhaps... you could think of Om as being the lasting echo of the 'Big Bang'. (Ancient philosophy meets theoretical physics!) I like this idea, because recent studies have shown that the Universe is expanding and not only that it is accelerating! To me this demonstrates the creative power of Om. The Universe is not running down (as you might expect from an explosion). No, it is creating and creating itself.
Om is the simplest of mantras – and easy to learn. Some schools of thought decree an exact pronuncation, but I have never subscribed to this pedantic, narrowing view. There are not too many ways you could possibly pronounce it anyway. And Indian researchers, who have been studying Om, have found that it doesn't matter how you say it, how fast, or slow, it always has an essential 'Om-ness' to it. And it is this that meditators focus on when chanting the mantra.
We inhabit a world of thoughts, perceptions and intentions. Just consider that for a moment. Mantras are 'thought vehicles' in a way, verbal (or internally expressed) representations of thoughts or intentions. Thinking of what 'Om' symbolises, It is a sacred, powerful sound. And when you begin to chant it, timing it with your breathing, perhaps you begin to understand how you are the breath and the breath is you; you are the Universe and the Universe is you. All of it carried on a sound...
Om.
This simple mantra and 17 more are in my mantra book. More info on this page.
Om is the simplest of mantras – and easy to learn. Some schools of thought decree an exact pronuncation, but I have never subscribed to this pedantic, narrowing view. There are not too many ways you could possibly pronounce it anyway. And Indian researchers, who have been studying Om, have found that it doesn't matter how you say it, how fast, or slow, it always has an essential 'Om-ness' to it. And it is this that meditators focus on when chanting the mantra.
We inhabit a world of thoughts, perceptions and intentions. Just consider that for a moment. Mantras are 'thought vehicles' in a way, verbal (or internally expressed) representations of thoughts or intentions. Thinking of what 'Om' symbolises, It is a sacred, powerful sound. And when you begin to chant it, timing it with your breathing, perhaps you begin to understand how you are the breath and the breath is you; you are the Universe and the Universe is you. All of it carried on a sound...
Om.
This simple mantra and 17 more are in my mantra book. More info on this page.
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