OM MEDITATION

OM MEDITATION: SPIRITUAL DYNAMO

“ॐकारं बिन्दु–संयुक्तं नित्यम् ध्यायन्ति योगिनः ।  कामीदं मोक्षदं चैव ॐकाराय नमो नमः ॥”

Transliteration

Omkāraṁ bindu–saṁyuktaṁ nityaṁ dhyāyanti yoginaḥ;
Kāmidam mokṣadam chaiva omkārāya namo namaḥ..

The meaning goes thus: The Yogis continuously meditate on Om, the sacred syllable adorned with the bindu (the dot or the nasal twang).

This Omkar that fulfils all righteous desires and gives liberation; to thee I bow in reverence again and again. The dot called bindu represents transcendence. The Omkar becomes both ‘Kamidam’, the bestower of desires, and ‘Moksdam’, the giver of liberation. Yogis meditate on it constantly, as the core of their sadhana. Caught between the world’s current rollercoaster pace and the ongoing chaos, noise, restlessness, and distraction, everyone has been entangled. An easy, doable, and most graceful way out of this is to take refuge in the Om Mantra.

Om is the name or symbol of the almighty God, Ishwara or Brahman. It covers the entire three-fold existence of man: the whole world has come from Om, rests in Om and dissolves in OM. The ancient yogis discovered that beneath the entire creation lies a cosmic hum, an eternal vibration from which everything arises and into which everything ultimately returns. Om is the most profound universal sound known to humanity.

 Yogis have practised Om meditation since time immemorial, and today it has become a global requirement not just as a spiritual ritual but also as a powerful method to calm the mind and body, rest the nervous system, and awaken the inner reality. In this blog, we explore the glories of Om, what Om meditation is, how it works, why it works and the fundamental holistic transformation it can create in your life.

1. What Is Om / Pranav Meditation?

Om meditation is a practice of mindfully chanting or silently intoning the sound or mantra OM to harmonise the body, breath, mind and energy.

Also known as ‘Pranava Mantra‘, Om is the primordial, self-born sound from which the universe eventually manifested.

According to the Manduka Upanishad, Om represents the entire human consciousness: the waking mind, the dreaming mind, the deep-sleep mind, and the silence beyond them all, called Turiya avastha.

2. Scientific Insights on OM Meditation.

Modern research has validated what yogis discovered long, long ago.

In Science Om, a vibrational frequency is acknowledged that stimulates vagal tone, studies the breath, and shifts the brain into an Alpha-Theta state, bringing deep relaxation.

Om chanting calms the brain.

Studies using functional MRI show reduced activity in the amygdala, the brain’s fear centre, after prolonged Om chanting.

Om enhances alpha and theta brain waves

These waves are associated with

• Creativity
• Relaxed awareness
• Deep meditative states
• Improved emotional regulation.

OM Creates Heart Mind Coherence

The vibration synchronises breathing and heartbeat, creating a calming internal rhythm. Therefore, Om serves both as a spiritual doorway and a scientifically supported relaxation practice.

3. Deconstructing OM: The Sacred A-U-M

Although it is commonly understood as a single word, Om actually unfolds into three syllables. A-U-M followed by a moment of profound silence. Each sound stands for some unique and profound vibration, symbol and psychological impact.

A (अ) – the Beginning,  the aah sound

A deep, open ‘aah‘ sound. It represents the physical plane and the waking state (Jagrat Avastha), the dream state (Sushupti Avastha), and the dream state (Sushupti Avastha).

Symbolises: creation, initiation, awakening. It stands for the Vishwa and Virat aspect, the gross manifestation.

Vibration Location: Lower abdomen and root of the spine

This sound grounds your energy and prepares your system for expansion.

U (उ) – The Continuation

A rolling sound ‘ooo‘ that travels upward. ‘U’ represents the astral or mental plane and the dreaming state, Swapna Avastha. Taijasa and Hiranyagarbha: Karya-brahman, the subtle manifestation.

Symbolises: preservation, movement, flow of life, the dream state.

Vibration Location: Chest and throat.

It bridges the physical and subtle bodies, creating a gentle energetic expansion.

M (म्) – The Completion

A soft humming ‘mmm‘ with closed lips. It indicates all that is beyond the reach of intellect, all that is unknown and the deep sleep state, Shushupti Avastha.

Represents the prajana and lsvara aspect, Karana-brahman, the unmanifested state of Brahman.

Symbolises: dissolution, completion, return to stillness, the deep sleep state

Vibration Location: Skull and crown area.

This sound deeply calms the nervous system and melts inner tension.

Silence – Turiya

After chanting A-U-M, there is a natural silence.

Symbolises: pure awareness, timeless presence, the state beyond waking, dreaming and deep sleep. This silence that deepens meditation, turns sound into stillness and vibration into inner expansion.

4. Who Can Practice Om Meditation?

Almost everyone can practice it.

It is highly beneficial for

• Beginners to meditation.
• People with anxiety
• Students and professionals are under stress.
• Individuals with insomnia or sleep issues
• Advanced practitioners seeking depth.

Use Caution when

• There are issues with the throat or vocal cords.
• Someone is recovering from a respiratory illness.
• They may practice mental chant or Mantra Om.

5. How to practice Om Meditation (Step-by-Step)

Meditation on Om with feeling and meaning leads to self-realisation. This is the Vedantic Sadhna or the Gyan Yoga. Meditation is a continuous flow of one idea of Brahman in the mind, like the flow of oil from one vessel to another vessel (tail-dhara-vat). Om is your best companion in life because it gives you immortality and eternal bliss. OM is your Sadguru. Om is your guide and preceptor.

Therefore, stay in constant company or satsanga of Om Jaapa, chanting Om, Smarana (remembering) Om, Chintan (dwelling) on Om, Manan (reflecting) on Om, Thinking of Om, and meditation on Om.

• Om Jaapa is simply a constant repetition of Om, either verbally, mentally or in a humming manner.
• Om chanting is a loud meditation that takes the breath and vibrations from the Muladhara Chakra to the Sahasrar Chakra.
• Smaran of Om is the remembrance of Om or Brahman.
• OM Chintan is the contemplation of Om.
• Om Manan is reflecting on Om.

Vichara Thought of Om is an enquiry into the nature of Brahman.

Meditation of Om is the niiddidhyasana on the invisible, immortal self with non-dual feeling. “I am tha all-pervading Brahman, the pure consciousness.” This feeling should go deep into your heart. Every cell, every pore, every atom of your being, every molecule, every nerve, every fibre …. Should pulsate with a sacred soul, elevating sublime feelings.

Whatever you do, chant, sing or meditate on OM, feel that you are one with the supreme self. Rise above the name and form and identify with the all-pervading consciousness.

However, you don’t need any elaborate arrangements, spiritual background, or experience.

Step 1: Prepare Your Space

Choose a space with minimal distraction. You may light a diya, candle or incense.

Step 2: Sit Steady on an Asan/ Chair

Sit steady and comfortable in sukhasana, vajrasana, or padmaasan with your spine erect, shoulders relaxed, and a smile on your face. If your knees do not support, you may use a chair. Place a blanket, a woollen/cotton cover, or an asan underneath. This is important for conserving the energy you create.

Step 3: Calm your breath

Take 2 to 3 slow, deep breaths, inhaling more deeply and exhaling longer. Let you breathe come to its natural pace.

Step 4: Begin the Chant

Inhale deeply and chant

A (aah) from the belly and chant
U (ooo) rising upwards towards the chest.
M (mm) humming in the brain

Silence spreads within. Let each chant be slow, gentle and full-bodied. Inhale with Om and exhale with another Om.

Step 5: Continue for 5- 15 minutes

Initially, you may repeat the chant 27, 51, or 108 times. You may use a maala or rosary. You can place your hand on your heart or navel to feel the vibration.

Step 6: Conclude in silence

Sit quietly for 1-2 minutes in silence and notice the spaciousness within.

The primary meaning of Pranava, Om, is the Supreme One, which is known to be of the nature of undivided Existence; knowledge, bliss, Absolute (Sat-chit-ananda). This enables man to cross over to the other shore of the ocean of Samsara. This microcosm and macrocosm, the three Gods Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva are contained in OM. All the Vedas and 6 Darshanas, the philosophies, are contained in OM. Meditate on OM with meaning and Bhav. Know the Brahman and be free.

6. Benefits of OM Meditation

What happens inside you during the Om meditation?

Physical Shifts

• Vagus nerve activation.
• Lowered blood pressure.
• Improved health regulation
• Relaxed muscular tension.
• Balanced heart rate.

Mental and Emotional Shifts

• Reduced anxiety and stress.
• Increased focus
• Calmer internal dialogue
• Emotional grounding
• Heightened clarity.

Spiritual and Energetic Shifts

• Purification of subtle energy channels.
• Activation of the Ajna chakra.
• Increase in inner stillness.
• Deepened intuitive awareness.
• Experience of connection with the super consciousness.
• Om acts like a vibrational tuning fork for the entire system.

Those who meditate on Om become a spiritual dynamo, an adhyatmic hero in the adhyatmic battlefield who has won the battle. The meditator wins the laurels of self-knowledge by gaining victory over the mind and senses. They radiate peace, joy and power to whoever comes in contact with them. They become a channel for the inflow of spiritual force or divine energy. They behold the Self in all beings.

Meditation on Om is the royal road to the attainment of salvation. This meditation annihilates the meditation on sorrows, sufferings, and pain. It induces a sense of oneness and unity. It is a balloon that helps the aspirant to soar high into the realm of eternal bliss.

7. Common Mistakes in OM Meditation

• Chanting too loudly and straining the throat.
• Forcing the Breath instead of allowing it to flow naturally
• Rushing through the sounds.
• Focussing on Perfection.
• Ignoring the silence after chanting.
• Meditation is not about performance; it is about experience.

8. Integrating Om into daily life.

You don’t need to sit for formal meditation sessions every time.

You may use OM as:

• Morning grounding – 3 slow chants
• Pre-yoga centring
• In stressful moments – soft humming
• Night relaxation – silent OM before sleeping
• While travelling or waiting for someone/ something – mental repetition. OM becomes a companion, not a ritual.

9. Short Guided Meditation on OM

Sit comfortably on an asan or a chair.

You may sit with Gyan mudra or chin mudra. Take a deep inhalation and breathe out.

Next, as you exhale, allow the sound ‘A’ to rise from the base of your spine.

Let it flow into U or ‘ooo’ as your heart expands.

Then close your lips into a soft humming “M’ that fills your head with vibration.

Rest in the silence that follows.

Repeat gently, staying alive to each sound and the stillness between.

Om meditation is not just a chant – it is a return to your original vibration.

With each A-U-M, something softens, something realigns, and something awakens; the mind goes quieter, the breath goes deeper, and the heart goes steadier. In today’s fast-paced world, OM is the most straightforward, ancient, and time-tested tool for reclaiming your inner peace.

Let us wind up with the mantra that points to the subtle yet profound cleansing effect of OM Japa and how the long practice of Om Stillness purifies the mind.

“ दीर्घ–प्रणव–जपेन स्वात्मविद्यार्थी, एकान्त–शरणः, बुद्ध्युपाधिदोषजनितं मनोविक्षेपं जयति।”

Meaning through long and devoted repetition of OM, the seeker who lives in inner or outer solitude conquers the restlessness of mind caused by the impurities of the intellect. In essence, OM is a powerhouse, a fireball, a dynamo that encapsulates three potencies: it is

• a mantra
• a meditation technique
• a lifeline of awareness
• a bridge between the individual and the supreme

Whether chanted or meditated upon, or silently remembered, it gradually brings the practitioner into deeper states of clarity, stillness and spiritual realisation. A mantra that can transform a person, take one to unprecedented spiritual heights and unfathomable depths of sublime consciousness. Make it your companion, your partner, your Sadguru, bead of every breath of yours.

Shwaso ki maala se simru mai tera naam…….

Begin Now…..Time is now.

Finally, stay tuned for the upcoming blogs, which will be the doorway to many more meditative paths. If OM is the seed, the following practices will be the blossoms.

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