Om

About this stotra

Oṃ is a profound single-syllable word, which, at its deepest level, is understood as the eternal name of the Divine—the supreme Reality, Brahman, the source and substance of everything that exists. The Taittiriya Upanishad states, "Oṃ iti Brahma" - Oṃ is Brahman. The Mandukya Upanishad further declares, "Oṃ ityetad akṣaram idaṃ sarvaṃ" - Oṃ, this syllable, is all this, emphasising that Oṃ encompasses the entirety of Reality, from the manifest to the unmanifest.
In chanting ‘Oṃ,’ we are not merely referring to the supreme Reality indirectly. The sound itself, when properly understood, is a direct expression of that Reality. This relates to the concept of "Shabda Brahman", which holds that certain sacred sounds, such as Oṃ, are not just symbols pointing to reality but are non-different from the reality they embody. Oṃ is regarded as the primordial vibration—the first emanation of Brahman—from which the cosmos arose. In this view, Oṃ is more than a representation of the Divine; it is a manifestation of the Divine presence in sound, directly connecting the reciter to the vibrational essence of Brahman.
When we chant Oṃ, we're participating in something quite remarkable. There are three basic positions of the mouth that create three distinct sounds, which together form Oṃ. When you simply open your mouth and vocalise without any effort, you naturally produce the 'A' sound (as in "father"). At the other extreme, when you close your mouth completely and make a sound, you can only produce 'M' - try it yourself and you'll see there's no other possibility once the lips are fully closed. Between these two positions, when you round your lips, you create the 'U' sound (as in "who").
These three basic sounds flow together to create Oṃ in a way that mirrors deeper levels of consciousness and experience. The sound begins in the depths of the belly and rising to the throat with 'A,' representing our everyday waking experience of the physical world and the awareness of it. As the sound moves forward through the mouth, it transforms into 'U,' corresponding to our experience of the thought-world in both waking and dreaming states, along with our awareness of these mental experiences. Finally, as our lips close to make the 'M' sound, we connect with the deep sleep state, where all manifest experience dissolves into potential, like seeds waiting to sprout.
The journey of this sound through our mouth creates a single syllable that contains within it the entire spectrum of human experience – all that is known and unknown, from the subtlest to the most manifest, including the knower, is Oṃ.
The silence that naturally follows the sound is just as significant as the sound itself, representing the underlying consciousness that witnesses all these states of experience. The profound quiet absorbs both the person uttering the sounds and the utterance itself, leaving no trace of either. This silence is considered the doorway to the ultimate reality.
When we use Oṃ in practice - whether at the beginning of prayers, during meditation, or in mantras - we're not just making a sound or creating a vibration. We're invoking the Divine presence by its true name. This is why Oṃ appears at the beginning of so many sacred texts and practices - it's like opening a door to the sacred by calling upon the Divine by name.
Some pointers on how to chant ‘Oṃ’
The sacred syllable can be chanted in two ways - as the single syllable 'Oṃ', as referenced in the Bhagavad Gita where it states "Oṃ iti ekākṣaraṃ brahma" (Oṃ, the single-syllable Brahman), and as heard in many traditional Vedic recitations such as "Oṃ Sahanāvavatu" or "Oṃ Shāntiḥ" for example. It can also be expressed as three distinct sounds 'AUM', a method that aligns with the Mandukya Upanishad's detailed analysis of Om's three components (A-U-M). Both approaches are equally sacred and authentic, and their ultimate purpose is the same: to turn our attention inward, beyond the endless movements of thought, toward the unchanging Reality that this divine sound both symbolises and embodies.
1) Single syllable method: Take a comfortable seated position with your spine naturally aligned. After settling into your natural breath rhythm, let the sound 'Oṃ' emerge naturally and deeply from your centre, as one continuous sacred sound. Allow it to resonate through your body before letting it gradually fade into silence. Try to keep each Oṃ roughly the same length - this consistency helps create a steady rhythm for practice. Let your attention rest fully on the sound as it emerges and dissolves - this natural focus helps prevent the mind from wandering.
2) Three-sound method (AUM): In this approach, begin as above with comfortable posture and natural breath. Let the sound emerge from deep within your belly, starting with "Aaa" as your mouth opens wide, then naturally transitioning to "Uuu" as your lips begin to come together, and finally "Mmm" as your lips close completely. Let this sacred syllable resonate through your entire body, feeling how each component creates distinct vibrations - the "Aaa" in your belly, the "Uuu" rising through your chest, and the "Mmm" humming in your head. Give each of these three sounds roughly equal duration (though they don't have to be exact), allowing each to flow naturally into the next before the "Mmm" gradually fades into silence. With practice, this rhythm becomes natural and our attention can rest in the experience of the sound itself.
Whichever method you choose, the following guidelines will help deepen your practice:
a) Rather than rushing, allow each sound to flow naturally, gradually fading into silence. In this complete stillness, all distinctions dissolve - there is only the vast presence of being itself. This stillness is a doorway to our true nature.
b) Continue the chanting in a way that feels natural and purposeful. Rather than focusing on counting repetitions, give your full attention to the quality of each Oṃ - how it emerges from silence, flows naturally, and dissolves back into stillness.
c) You may notice that the chanting naturally subsides into profound silence at times. This is perfectly appropriate; this is often a sign that the mantra has served its purpose of quieting the mind. When thoughts begin to stir again, you can gently resume the chanting, creating a flowing rhythm between sound and silence that mirrors the natural ebb and flow of consciousness.
When to chant ‘Oṃ’
The pre-dawn hours, especially during Brahma muhurta (which begins one hour and 36 minutes before sunrise and ends 48 minutes before sunrise), offer an ideal time for chanting Oṃ, when the mind is fresh and the environment naturally serene. Alternatively, the transition points of the day - sunrise, noon, and sunset - are also particularly potent times for this practice. However, what matters most is choosing a time when you can practice without interruption, in a quiet space that allows you to fully experience both the sound and the silence that follows.
Chanting Oṃ can be a perfect prelude or conclusion to your spiritual practices, whether it is meditation, reading sacred texts, or other devotional activities. Its vibration helps create a sanctified space within and around you.
Many practitioners also turn to Oṃ during challenging times, finding that its resonance provides a deep source of strength and stability.
The regular practice of Oṃ can bring profound transformations. Beyond its immediate quietening effect on the mind, this sacred sound gradually attunes us to the deeper silence that underlies all experience, leading us toward the recognition of our essential nature.