Chanting the mantra 21 times allows access to universal wisdom and removes useless and repetitive thoughts. Through practice, one can achieve a state of well-being and balance, releasing all those emotions that prevent us from flooding our being with peace and harmony.
The meaning of Om
Om Aum is a Sanskrit term meaning solemn affirmation. It is both a sacred syllable pronounced at the beginning and end of reading the Vedas, and a sacred mantra, a tool of Hindu religious and meditative practice. Om is the holiest of all sounds, and according to Indian religion, God first created sound, then its frequencies generated the Universe.
The symbolism and interpretation of Om
The Om syllable is composed of three sounds: a, u, m, which encompass the past, present, and future. It represents the omnipresent force that transcends space, time, and form. It is depicted by a symbol, the trimurti, which defines the three components of the divine aspect, the state of consciousness, and our essence. It also symbolizes the three worlds and the three Indian deities.
The three aspects of the divine are creation, preservation, dissolution. The state of consciousness is marked by waking, dreaming, and deep sleep. The Kosha (our essence) consists of the gross body, subtle body, and causal body. The three worlds are Earth, Atmosphere, and Heaven. The three deities are Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Specifically, the iconographic representation of the symbol consists of several parts, each with a meaning. The three curves, a semicircle, and a dot. The upper curve signifies deep, dreamless sleep. The curve symbolizes the waking state (the broadest part indicates the state in which most people are), while the central curve indicates the dream state, which goes beyond what the eyes cannot see. The semicircle represents the illusory reality in which we live and which hinders us from reaching Nirvana. The dot, on the other hand, represents the ultimate state of spiritual transformation that leads us to enlightenment. This last stage influences all the others.
