The Meaning of “OM”

stardust_by_danich01-d5atc0xAt the beginning of nearly all yoga classes, the instructor calls out for a group “Om.” When I started as a student I was a little shy to use my voice.  Personally I was not very comfortable with group chanting.  Little did I know, it was another very powerful way to activate and stimulate a higher vibration.

It is written in Vedic texts that there are 4 stages of consciousness:

Om Cara's story

  • Jagrat (waking)
  • Swapna (dreaming)
  • Sushupti (deep sleep)
  • Turiya (bliss)

These stages of consciousness are visual but also are in sound. This is all represented in the symbol of “OM”

“When we chant Om, we are really singing a three part sound: AUM, Ah…oooh…Mmm. Each part vibrates in a different part of the body and represents a different state of consciousness. The Ah blooms in the lower abdomen and represents Jagrat, the waking state. Oooh vibrates in the solar plexus and heart and represents swapna, the dream state. Mmm occurs when we put our lips together, sending the vibrations into our skulls.  With this sound we are calling to our awareness of sushupti, deep sleep. And finally, Turiya exists in the continuing vibration, resonating, unstuck sound of Om.” -Jivamukti Yoga

The most powerful experience I’ve had with chanting “Om” was at the end of my practice.  I had an “ok” practice, nothing spectacular, no wonderful visions or ephiphanies , but when the teacher called for a collective OM at the end of class, I closed my eyes and I could literally feel stardust swirling all around my body.  That was my first encounter with the power of chanting, so please in your next class don’t be shy! Activate these vibrations of the soul.