So what does this sound mean and why is it so important?

It’s said that the essence of AUM, its vibration, sound and image was felt by ancient practitioners as they sat in meditation. As they looked more deeply into their experience of this sound, they formed an understanding that this ‘felt’ vibration represented the cycle of creation in the universe. The vibration of AUM brought forth the awareness of the entirety of the universe; the physical reality of this world and the body, the subtle impressions of the mind and emotions and the thoughts and beliefs of life and this world.

The sound as we chant it or feel it tells us the perfect state or super conscious state and all that precedes it are a part of Om. However in a more complete form, the sound can also be displayed as Aum, appearing as if the sound has three parts. In actuality it has four.

So Why Use it In Yoga?

Everything in the universe is vibrating. AUM is considered to be the sound of the universe, so when we chant OM we are symbolically and physically tuning into the sound of the universe and acknowledging that we are connected to all living beings, nature and the universe.

When we practice yoga, in whatever shape or form, whatever got us there, ultimately it is a practice for union. Bringing us together in body, mind and spirit and connecting us with the larger universe around us and within us.
Chanting has a physical affect on the body and slows down the nervous system, calms the mind and has a meditative affect. When we OM at the start and the end of our practise it allows us to connect on a deeper level than with just the physical postures.

So next time you land in a class and its time to chant OM, allow yourself to relax, let your throat soften and the sound come through you. Feel yourself connecting back to yourself, to the people around you in the room, to the dynamism and harmony of nature and the vastness of the universe.

Hindu Mythology aims to offer a depth and symbolic awareness of where the sound of OM began. The Creation Myth, which features the two of holy trimurti of Lord Vishnu (the sustainer of the universe), Lord Brahma (the God of Creation) and the offering of creation and sustenance at the beginning of a practice. When we sing at the end of a class we also invoke the the energy of Lord Shiva (the destructor) the third god of the trimurti of transformation; the energy endings and destruction, allowing the next cycle to begin.

The Creation Myth

Before the beginning of time, there was no heaven, no earth and no space between. A vast dark ocean washed upon the shores of nothingness and licked the edges of the night.

A giant Cobra floated on the waters. Asleep within its endless coils lay the Lord Vishnu. He was watched over by the mighty serpent. Everything was so silent and peaceful that Vishnu slept undisturbed by dreams motion. From the depths a humming sound began to tremble, AAAAUUUUUMMMMMM.

It grew and spread, filling the emptiness and throbbing with energy.

After 4.23 billion years, the brahman night had ended, Vishnu awoke.

As the dawn began to break, from Vishnu's navel grew a magnificent lotus flower. In the middle of the blossom sat Vishnu's servant, Brahma, awaiting the God's command.

Vishnu spoke to his servant: "It's time to begin", Brahma vowed. Vishnu commanded:

"Create the world".

A wind swept the waters. Vishnu and the serpent vanished.

Brahma remained in the lotus flower, floating and tossing on the sea. He lifted up his arms and calmed the wind and the ocean. The cosmic ocean began swirling and congealing into the universe we know today.

Brahma split the lotus flower into three. He stretched one part into the heavens. He made another part into the earth. with the third part of the flower he created the skies.

The earth was bare. Brahma set to work. He created grass, flowers, trees and plants of all kinds. To these he gave feeling. Next he created animals and the insects to live in the land. He made birds and many fish. To all these creatures he gave the sense of touch and smell. He gave them the power to see, hear and move. The world was soon bristling with life and the air was filled with the sound of Brahma's creation.

During all of this activity and once the world was in a state of full flourishing, Lord Vishnu, reclined on Ananta, watching over the natural movements of Brahmas creations. His job is to do anything necessary to upkeep, protect and sustain this cycle.

One day during the fine balancing act of creating and sustaining the two gods had a huge argument over who was most important and powerful.

Out of their frustration, a giant pillar of light appeared. It extended far up beyond the trees, skies and beyond, seemingly with no end. Both Brahma and Vishnu set out to locate the start and end of that pillar. Brahma turned into a goose and flew up to find the top of the pillar, while Vishnu turned into a boar and dug into the earth to look for its roots. After their unsuccessful attempt, both came back to find Lord Shiva emerging from an opening in the pillar. Recognising Shiva’s great power, they both accepted that besides them, there was a third power ruling over the universe.

When this brahmic day, or natural cycle of this universe has completed its Karma and its course it will be Lord Shiva who is called upon by Vishnu to destroy Brahmas creation so that the next cycle can begin

~ Hindu Creation Myth

When we sing OM, we acknowledge these qualities of the universe, its natural cycles and our ability to drop into harmony with our essence and our part in the universal cycles.

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