Aum, the sacred Indian mantra ; Om, Ohm - meditating unity
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The Aum Mantra: meditation from India
Aum is actually a sacred mantra for all Indian religions that I know of (Sikhism, Hinduism, Buddhism etc.). It is a symbol for the most sacred, the highest, the ideal, the source of all being. It can be used as a symbol for human spiritual growth, but also for the cause of all being. Learn more about the place of Aum (or Ohm, or Om) in Hinduism and Buddhism.
Shown above is the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra as used in Tibetan Buddhism. Photographed summer 2011, Katinka Hesselink
Om Manu Padme Hum Art Print
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Contents at a Glance
So - what's a mantra?
Sacred Sound
Many mantra's in India are very difficult to translate and their meaning probably has more to do with the sound, and the name of a deity being in there.
Chanting a mantra is a spiritual practice that has its roots in the East. Still, even in the West there are spiritual practices that are remarkably similar. Praying can be like saying a mantra, if it involves repeating the same text over and over.
With the rise of interest in Eastern Religions (various types of Buddhism and Hinduism) saying mantras has become a part of the spiritual practice of many westerners as well.
On the spiritual meaning of mantras - how they work...
Meaning it...
- Mantrams explained, by H.P. Blavatsky
- On the occult meaning of using mantras.
- Using a mantra for healing?
- Can you use mantras for healing? Blavatsky gives her view.
- Aum, the sacred Indian mantra ; Om, Ohm - meditating unity: Aum jewelry
- Jewelry with Aum on it, or the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra. Whether it's earrings, pendants, rings or even bracelets. - Who doesn't know the Indian mantra 'aum' - and use it when they want to make fun of new age spirituality?Aum is actually a sacred mantra for all Indian religions that I know of (Sikhi
Chanting Aum is healthy!
So OMMMM to you too!
Examples of mantras with Aum (or Om)
The meaning of mantras with om, ohm or aum in them
Aum Bhur Bhuvah Swah Tat Savitur Varenyam
The famous Hindu Gayatri Mantra.3 points
Aum Mani Padme Hum
= I honor the pearl in the lotus flower. freely tr more...1 point
Bid on products with Aum
So Aum, or Ohm, or OM - which is it?
How to spell the Indian Mantra
The real spelling of the Indian Mantra is A-U-M. That's also the way it's spelled (in devanagari) in the pictures one sees everywhere, including on this lens.
The pronunciation is also better, the closer it gets to A-U-M (the M can be as long as you want though).
Make the A round as in 'talk'.
The U is pronounced like 'ou' in 'your'.
Om links
Links about the meaning and history of the Aum mantra
- Aum or Om, The sacred Indian Syllable
- I used to be a math teacher in Middle School. My students would invariably find out about this website, and when they wanted to be cool - would sit with crossed legs on a table and chant 'aum'. As a teacher I was not amused, but it does go to show how famous this Indian sound is. The mantra Aum is the sacred syllable in Indian religions. Hinduism, Buddhism, and most other Indian religions share a respect for this sound.
- Om, Aum, Ohm
- The word is Sanskrit. It is pronounced at the beginning and end of every lesson in the "Veda" and it is also the introductory word of the "Puranas." It is said in the "Katha-Upanishad": "Whoever knows this syllable obtains whatever he wishes." This is because all words are said to be but various forms of the one sound, "om", according to the "Upanishads." It represents the divine and the power of God. It is the sound-symbol for the ultimate reality.
- OM Mantra and 7 Levels of Consciousness
- The OM Mantra is a roadmap for sadhana, spiritual practices (written as either AUM or OM). It is not for the person who seeks only the shallow waters of spiritual life, but rather for those who strive to realize in direct experience the depth of the Absolute Reality. There are four main levels of consciousness outlined in the OM Mantra, along with three transition levels, which is a total of seven levels. Each of these is experienced on the inner journey of meditation and contemplation.
Aum on clothes
Spiritual t-shirts, baby clothes and more
Gayatri Mantra
om bhur bhuva sva
om bhur bhuva svah
tát savitúr váreniyam
bhárgo devásya dhemahi
dhÃyo yó nah prachodáyat
Here's a translation:
"May we attain that excellent glory of Savitr the God:"
"So may he stimulate our prayers."
For chanting purposes I also include a phonetic transcription; pronounce as if it were English:
om bhoor bhuva suvah
tat savitur vareNyam
bhargo devasya dheemahi
dhiyo yo nah prachodayaat
Your Aum Links
Please add your own favorite Aum links or rate the ones already there.
Dalai Lama on Om Mani Padme Hum
It is very good to recite the mantra Om mani padme more...1 point
Article on interreligious aspects of AUM - OM - OHM | One Sound
Article about interreligious aspects of the Om.0 points
Aum Scrolls.
Various articles (scrolls) about the meaning of Au more...0 points
An Om (Aum!) Magickal Talisman for Protection and Peace
This lovely Om Talisman can be worn to connect wit more...0 points
Aum decorations: on your cups, refrigerator and head
What do you think about the OM mantra?
Anything missing from this lens?
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NAnand Aug 11, 2011 @ 8:27 am | delete
- OM is the first sound uttered in the creation of the universe. Repeated aloud or silently it holds in itself a power to calm your thoughts and being thereby opening up your latent strengths that are overshadowed by life's constant noise.
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destinationom Jul 2, 2011 @ 8:54 pm | delete
- The sacred syllable OM is pronounced AUM. A sounding like a low soft "ah" with mouth open - starts at the base of your spine and continue this pronunciation until it reaches the throat area where your mouth will begin to close and create a rounding in the mouth and jaw - it will naturally take on the U part of the sound here in the throat area - from the throat this U rises to the top of your head and as your mouth closes the M becomes the ending and resonating in the temples with the focus of the energy being in the temples and top of head.
With this awareness one can gain great benefit from OM - tuning the breath, sound, body and spirit into one.
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ankandhk
Mar 18, 2011 @ 12:04 pm | delete
- AUM is the sound of Divine Lord Shri Krishna
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WiccaLady
Oct 12, 2010 @ 8:34 am | delete
- Thanks for this interesting links. I recently attended a Rainbow Gathering and before meals they sing and then everybody does three oms which I really enjoy.
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LotusPetalYoga
Jan 28, 2010 @ 5:02 pm | delete
- I knew I had to pick one lens from all of your many great ones for my newest page - a few of my favorite things. I choose this one. I just taught about Om today in yoga class, love it. thanks.
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Aum jewelry
Jewelry with Aum on it, or the Om Mani Padme Hum mantra. Whether it's earrings, pendants, rings or even bracelets.Silver aum jewelry
Gold Aum jewelry
Aum Mani Padme Hum Jewellery
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