The mystical syllable
AUM, The primordial sound of the universe
“…our meditation words are like portals that are to lead us into the spiritual world.”
- Rudolf Steiner
What if interacting with the great mystery of the universe was as easy as saying a word? What if there was a simple word that could be spoken that unlocks deep, spiritual meaning?
The word “AUM” (or Om) is pronounced “ah-uu-mm” and surely you recognize it. It originates in an ancient era and is present now even in our modern popular culture, as a stereotypical meditation chant.
But the word has layers of spiritual symbolism that turn that simple utterance into a skeleton key that seems to unlock a world of esoteric and ancient mysticism.
Origins
“In Indian scriptures the sacred syllable Om is the primordial sound from which all other sounds and creation emerge which signifies the Supreme Power.”
- Meditation on OM, International Journal of Yoga (IJOY)
“Aum,” also called “Om,” is called Pranava in Sanskrit, among several other names. It appears in Hindu texts such as the Vedas, the Upanishads, and the Bhagavad Gita. The word’s original etymology has been lost to time.
It was a “sonic representation of the divine” and the primordial sound. It served a variety of real-world uses, such as during spiritual ceremonies or chanted during meditation.
Three sounds in one syllable.
The “AUM” spelling is helpful, because it highlights the essence of this word’s power, which is divided into three separate sounds.
The “ah” is followed by “oo” and then “mm”. And each part of AUM represents something, and all three represent a whole.
There are a number of representations, though. It doesn’t just mean one thing, but many different sacred interpretations that contain a unifying trinity (or quaternity) of concepts. Far too many to list here, but here are a few:
Creation
It’s been said to represent the stages of the creation of the universe, and thus the cycle of creation, existence, dissolution, repeat, of all things in general. The first sound is birth, the second sound is being, and the third sound is dissolution. Then it begins anew.
The fourth “sound”
In the Power of Myth, Joseph Campbell writes that there is a fourth element in AUM, too. He calls it “the silence out of which AUM arises, and back into which it goes ... That is what we could call the immortal.”
Time
AUM also represents the idea of the passage of time. Past, present, and future being represented by each sound.
Planes of existence
It also illustrates the different “planes” of existence.
“‘A’ represents the physical plane. ‘U’ represents the mental and astral plane, the world of intelligent spirits, and all heavens. ‘M’ represents the whole deep-sleep state, which is unknown even in our wakeful state.”
- Meditation on OM, IJOY
Consciousness
How about levels of consciousness? AUM can represent the waking, dreaming, and deep sleep phases of consciousness.
Hinduism
It’s very important to note that AUM of course has specific interpretations within Hinduism. The sounds represent “deities in charge of the creation, preservation, and destruction of the universe — Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva,” and “The three original Vedic scriptures — Rg, Yajur, and Sāma.”
Here’s another interesting interpretation that stuck with me:
“Svetasvatara Upanishad describes that Om is like the fire which though potentially present in firewood is not seen until two sticks are rubbed against each other. The self is like that fire; it is realized by constant awareness of the sacred syllable Om. Let the body be the stick that is rubbed and Om be the stick that is rubbed against. Then the real nature is realized which is hidden within, just as fire in a sense hidden in the wood.”
- Svetasvatara Upanishad, via IJOY
Symbol
AUM is written as a symbol that appears differently across various scripts.
“Each aspect of the visual form of Om signifies a particular state of reality. The large lower curve marks the normal waking state (jāgrat). In this condition, the mind identifies with the physical body and perceives the world through the senses…
AUM in the modern world
Much like meditation, yoga, mindfulness, etc., the modern, empiricist world we live in has often embraced eastern spiritual practices as useful tools for mental and physical health. AUM is no different.
This, it has become a subject of study:
“Scientific studies on Om suggest that the mental repetition of Om results in physiological alertness, and increased sensitivity to sensory transmission.”
- Meditation on OM, International Journal of Yoga (IJOY)
All of this meaning and sybolism is a lot to pack into one little syllable, isn’t it?