OM MANTRA - Meaning and how to sing it

Om is the best known, representative and important mantra of yoga, and singing should not be lacking in any individual yoga class or practice.

THEORY

A mantra is an "instrument for the mind," according to its meaning in Sanskrit, and they are usually syllables or groups of short words with a special meaning that are constantly repeated. By repeating it, the mind is focused and concentrated , and hence its usefulness. There are numerous mantras.
The Om , also known as pranava , is the most sacred mantra in yoga, Hinduism and Buddhism. The Om represents the highest divinity, Brahman, and the entire universe. It is said that "The whole universe comes from Om, rests in Om and dissolves in Om . "

The yantra (geometric representation) of Om is the following image, so well known and used:

The Om mantra is actually written as AUM , and its three letters have a very special meaning:
- The A is the most open vowel that the human being can pronounce, it is the alpha , God, Life and the waking state.
- The U is an intermediate vowel, and represents consciousness, matter and dream state with dreams.
- The M is the most closed consonant we can pronounce, it is the omega , the mother, the energy, the joy and the state of deep sleep.
Now, the mantra is always pronounced as Om , since the A and the U in Sanskrit are pronounced as O. Hence the Om is the synthesis of those three letters, and symbolizes the fourth state of consciousness , that of meditation or supraconsciousness.

PRACTICE

The practice of singing or reciting the mantra (either loudly or mentally) is known as yapa . It is usually sung 108 times using a bad (Hindu rosary), although we can sing it the number of times we want.

How to sing it:

Sitting, with our eyes closed, we inspire, and as we exhale, we continuously pronounce the " Ooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmm ", feeling like the O resonates in the chest and the M resonates in the head. We repeat it several times focused on the sound until the mind is focused and we get a state of peace.

How to recite it mentally:

Same as the previous phase, but instead of saying it, we recite it mentally. This requires more concentration and the mind is more likely to be distracted, but if we master the practice, it is an excellent exercise of mental concentration and a technique that can lead us to meditation.
In the following video I explain with examples how to pronounce and sing it:

Practice singing it, alone and in a group if you have the chance, singing the Om in a coordinated way is a wonderful experience. Practice also to recite it mentally, you will see how in that case, the mantra refers to his name and becomes an excellent instrument for working the mind .

Practice, sing ... "Who sings, his bad fright . "

Gopal