Benefits Of AUM Chanting
Time and again, you must have heard about the benefits of the word ‘Om’. It is one of the sounds, which has existed on earth, since time immemorial. No one knows for sure, when it came about, but everyone knows about its significance. As per the topic, you may be eager to know about the benefits that you can derive from chanting it. However, it makes more sense, if you know about the background of Aum or Om, whatever you choose to call it. If you go for Yoga in Rishikesh, you will be greeted to the sounds of Aum.
You must have wondered, how the world started. Additionally, you may be amazed on seeing the diverse biodiversity on earth. There are myriad colours, many different animals and plants that occupy earth. The vastness of the solar system is also something that you must be inquisitive about. There are as many spiritual traditions, as there are races, castes, and creeds in this world. Even science has not been able to explain all the occurrences. For the unversed, the world was actually born from sound vibrations. All yogis and scientists approve of that. There is energy in the words, and energy is equal to ‘Prana’. So, you can call it as an equivalent to sound. You can also find its mention in the teachings, at the Rishikesh Yoga School.
Many researchers have surveyed and studied about the effects of sounds on water. Let us find out one such instance. Yogis from the ancient times have often studied about the effects of sound vibrations and intentions. These two together can cause changes in you as well as your atmosphere. Many of you may have heard priests chanting Aum, continuously during puja and havanas. Additionally, those who meditate, also chant this syllable. The Sanskrit syllable is associated with life, in general.
Aum is intertwined with our very existence in such a manner, that you can never stay from it. Some way or the other, it makes its way into your life. Culturally, the symbol is an ancient Sanskrit letter or alphabet. It first originated in the Vedas. Yogis discovered many texts and scripts, where there were mention of the same. The same was always connected to the divine. The same also found its way into metaphysics and the Upanishads. You will also find a mention of the same in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. The sixth among these, is called Dharana. It means concentration. You can achieve focus in your life, if you concentrate your efforts in one single direction. If one was eager to accomplish the sixth stage, then the meditation and chanting of Aum, was considered extremely important. You will be amazed to know, that if nothing works for you, you should start chanting Aum.
The Seed Syllable Mantra
You should make note that Beej mantras are generally single syllable mantras from the Sanskrit language. Shakti Beej mantras are considered to be quite powerful. You can use these for healing, meditation, as well as prayers. They carry the energies of the sun, moon, electricity and magnet. These mantras have the power to propel the Kundalini Shakti, from the Muladhara, upwards. You will learn about the same in complete detail as a part of the 200 hour yoga teacher training in rishikesh. Chakras and Kundalini Shakti are included in the course, so as to facilitate the movement of the Prana.
Om is the first of the Seed or Beej mantras. Moreover, it carries a lot of energy with itself. It is mystic in nature as well. No matter, if its Hinduism or Buddhism, you will find it getting recited in the beginning and end of hymns and prayers. Om Namah Shiva is just one of the many ways, in which it is used to worship Lord Shiva.
Now, if you ask, about the meaning of the Letter Om or Aum, there are none. They are more about the vibrations, than they are about the meanings. It can be thought of, as a word from God. It is the sound, with which the entire universe resonates. It is also the sound of Shunya or Void. It can help in attunement with your true nature. It is the sound that denotes the sounds made by the creator, nurturer, and destroyer of the universe. Sometimes, you will notice the letter, written as Aum, wherein A signifies Brahma, U as Vishnu, and M as Shiva. So, the three alphabets remind one of the three superpowers. You must chant the same, and sit in silence to experience the void for some time. Amazingly, the syllable has been translated into several other dialects and languages. Amen in Christianity is said to have originated from the same word Aum.
How Will You Get The Benefits From Om?
If you happen to visit the sound healing course in rishikesh, you will be greeted to such sounds and more. The very idea of such places, is to establish a connection with the divine. You need such sounds, for meditation and other forms of divination, as well. In yoga, the asanas, breathing and meditation practices are the tools, which can help you to explore the divine. And, when you combine the same with Aum or Om, the effects increase manifold. You can also engage in Japa Yoga, wherein you will be able to do japa by reciting the mantra 108 times, with a mala.
In Bhakti Yoga, you can chant and pray to your favourite deities, by attaching the Aum or Om to the names of the gods and goddesses. Take the example of ‘Om Gam Ganapataye Namah’. You can instil more power within the prayer with the help of the syllable.
Om or Aum, whatever you choose to call it, is associated with the Brow Point and the Crown Point. They are the sixth and seventh chakras, to be exact. You can find different syllables connected to the five lower chakras, as well. These are well-established and are a part of the kundalini yoga teacher training in Rishikesh. The syllables that we are talking about here are LAM, VAM, RAM, YAM, HAM, OM, OM, which correspond to the Muladhara, Swadhisthana, Manipura, Anahata, Vishuddha, Ajna and Sahasara chakras.
Now, you are quite acquainted with the syllable or letter, whatever you call it. Let us find out the benefits of Aum.
Benefits Of Aum
In the yoga ttc, you will also learn the correct way to chant Aum or Om. So, let us find out about it. It is basically a movement through three letters. A-U-M. A arises from the throat, U from the palate, and M from the lips. The best part is that you do not have to work towards it in a profound manner, as it happens and falls into place naturally.
For the unversed, this is not just a sound, which we are talking about. It is the whole universe. Aum or Om can connect you to the divine. The benefits are-
- Chanting Om is great for your stomach and digestion. When you chant on a regular basis, it leads to relaxation. If you have stomach ache, then you should continuously chant this.
- Om is a great tool that can calm your frazzled nerves. It can release the stress and tension from your nerves as well. Om mantra actually purifies the environment. It creates positive vibes.
- Om will also help you to connect with your true self. When you repeatedly chant, the vibrations slowly enter your psyche. You can practice all sorts of complicated asanas, but with the Aum for company.
- When you chant it collectively in the yoga class, you can also become one with the others. It brings in a sense of togetherness. It helps in creating the same kind of energy within all the practitioners in a space. You also create a bridge between yourself and all those, who have chanted Om or Aum before you.
- If you continue to chant it daily, it will help you to focus and concentrate on your work better.
- You can also purify the environment, with this chant. It does so by purifying the sound waves around you. Although, you may not hear any, sound waves exist, sometimes in audible form, or sometimes in a far higher or lower frequency.
- This chanting will not only calm you and relax you, but will also strengthen your vocals. It gives a lot of power and strength to the chords, so that you can be eloquent in old age as well.
- Through the chanting of the mantra, you will also be in control of your feelings and emotions. If you have anger issues, you will likely benefit from it.
- Chanting this mantra is also beneficial for your skin, as that is what many astrologers believe in. It helps to cleanse the skin of its impurities as well. You will sooner or later notice a nice glow on your face.
- If you practice the chanting regularly, you will be strengthening your spine as well.
- Self-knowledge will dawn on you, if you chant the mantra regularly. A deep realization usually takes place, as a result. You will be able to understand and identify your innate talents and desires better.
- You will be able to execute your tasks in a better manner, as you get more organized on chanting the mantra.
- Many people have been able to kick off their addictions, after chanting Om or Aum.
- Your manifestation powers also increase manifold, when you continue to chant.
Scientifically, the same has also proven to be useful in many cases.
- A study was recently conducted on around 60 students, to check the effect of Mind Sound Resonance Technique. It mainly involves closing the eyes, and chanting Om and Maha Mrityunjaya mantra. After some time, the students were checked for possible outcomes. It needs to be mentioned, that the group was divided into two. The other group, did not chant. Later the test results revealed, that the group that chanted the same, had better psychological functions and cognition.
- Neuroimaging was also used to study the effects of the mantra on the brain. It was revealed that the ones who heard the sound, showed better emotional empathy.
- Another scientific study showed that Om chanting led to deactivation of the limbic stress. So, you can ascertain that it acts on stress as well. This results in better treatment outcomes for all those who are depressed.
- If you chant Aum on a regular basis, you can also improve the functioning of the ears.
Thus, you can very well see that Om or Aum is a spiritual storehouse of wealth. You can engage in the chanting from today onwards. Apart from that, you must know, that combining Om chanting with yoga can increase the benefits manifold. Enrol for a course at Hrishikesh Yoga School, to get more knowledge on such aspects.
