Om is considered the most important and significant word of mantra tradition. It is considered as the root mantra of all mantra. It is associated with being the primordial sound of the universe and of existence. It is the first harmonic frequency that was projected at the occurrence of the Big Bang that formed the universe and is purported to resonate within our beings as well.
The harmonics of Om have the power to induce a meditative state and create a feeling of being one with the universe. It is also known as the ‘Anahat Nada’, the “Unstruck Sound”, meaning that the sound that is not made by two things striking together. It, rather emanates on its own and contains all sounds in itself.
The significance of Om rests on the belief that the entire universe, in its fundamental form, is made up of vibrating and pulsating energy of varying frequencies. Unlike all other mantra, there is no meaning of Om. It is not a word, but a phonetic interpretation of a sound. According to Hinduism, it is the sound of the Source consciousness. Beyond being used in meditative practices, it is used as a healing tool, a centering and balancing tool, and as a space clearing tool.
According to Indian spiritual sciences, the Source of creation first created sound, and from these harmonics frequencies came the phenomenal world. The sound was made when matter first started to divide and differentiate and to recombine. Humanity’s total existence is constituted of these primal sounds, which give rise to mantras when organized by a wish to communicate, manifest, invoke or materialize.
Matter itself is believed to have formed from sound is the vibrational frequency that preceded the universe. It is the cosmic vibration that holds together the particles and atoms of our existential reality. Om is the first part of the most important mantras in both Buddhism and Hinduism, e.g. Om Namoh Shivai and Om Mani Padme Hum.
How to Do an Om Meditation
Human beings have within them a subtle body which consists of three channels and seven chakras. The three channels are connected to one’s emotions on the left, the physical and mental activity on the right and one’s integration and balance in the center. If a person is over-emotional, he or she is operating too much on the left side, and if an individual is thinking and planning too much or are over-active physically then he or she is using the right side too much.
These situations cause the imbalances which lead to physical and mental health problems. The Om sound can help to clear and balance these channels or a particular chakra when sung at the pitch which resonates with the particular chakra, and can raise one’s kundalini when sung up the musical scale, which is why it is widely-used today as part of meditation sessions.
Incorporating the Om sound into one’s meditation is simple and effective. Simply allow the word to sound out long, allow it to rise from deep within you. Allow emphasis on the beginning and the end. Let it last as long as it wants to. It will immediately raise your vibration and the vibration of the space you’re in.
The sound is verbally vocalized in this manner: Ooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmm. One should allow it to be long and slow. Om can be vocalized alone, with a circle of people, at the beginning or end of a meditation session, during centering and balancing, or silently within one’s mind.
References
http://www.sahajayoga.com.au/news/2007/11/08/om-the-primordial-sound-of-the-universe/
http://www.meditationiseasy.com/mCorner/techniques/Om.htm