OM is present in everything that we speak. It is the sound of the Universe and everything that it contains. The primordial sound from which everything emerged. The significance of OM spreads wide even among scientists, who have tested this mantra to ascertain its importance. But science apart, the benefits of this simple but profound mantra are truly amazing.

Benefits of OM Mantra

There are three major benefits to OM mantra chanting.

1. Mental Benefits: 

Reduces stress and anxiety – When you chant this mantra, it takes you to a state where you detach your ego from yourself. You start seeing more clearly. You gain a new perspective on life which calms you down about the different possibilities that exist in life. The stress and anxiety are removed once you find clarity in life. Chanting ‘OM’ has a similar effect.

Improves concentration – If you see things from a different perspective, you become open-minded, you do not judge but simply observe. That state helps you develop concentration by removing distractions. If you are focused, you will observe both the bad and the good and then you will know what steps to take to be more efficient.

Removes negativity – The vibrations that this sound creates attracts positiveness. The negative vibrations from your body are cleared by the chanting. As you gain clarity, you observe the source of your anger. You deal with negativity to create positivity.

2. Physical Benefits: 

Improves lung function by fully inducing your expiration capabilities. The breathing involved while chanting uses the respiratory muscles and the diaphragmatic muscles to its full capacity. In turn, the performance of the lungs improve.

Detoxifies Body – The chanting of OM increases the flow of blood to the body. This relaxes the blood vessels and increases the body’s capability to absorb more nitric oxide. As a result, the toxins are slowly flushed out of the system.

Improves digestive system – The relaxation state induced by the chanting relaxes the entire body along with your organs. So the digestive system also relaxes. The stress which in most cases causes irregularities in indigestion disappears.

3. Other Benefits: 

• It strengthens your vocal cord and your voice improves.
• It opens up the sinuses to create a free airway for breathing.
• The spinal cord is strengthened as the vibrations arising from the abdominal area strengthens the muscles supporting the spinal cord.
• You become emotionally stable and have less mood swings.
• The vibrations from OM also stimulates metabolism and this can help in weight-loss.
• The sound “Uuuuu” benefits the thyroid gland and the throat by its vibrations.

Best Practices for OM Mantra Meditation

The benefits of the mantra chanting is multiplied if done efficiently. There a lot of different techniques you can try to chant OM efficiently. Below we have mentioned the basics to start with.

1. how to PRONOUNCE OM

The mantra OM is pronounced as ‘AUM.’ The literal pronunciation goes as “AaaaaUuuuuMmmm.” Here each letter originates from a different part of your body. The vibrations created by this sound move from your abdomen, travels to the heart and reaches finally to the head creating a buzz sensation. Each letter in AUM means something. A in AUM represents creation, U represents sustenance of life and M – the destruction of life. Then a brief silence accompanies, after which the chanting continues.

2. POSTURE to sit-in

It is best to sit in an upright manner in a lotus pose. Let the left heel touch your groin area (the area of your root chakra.) This position aligns your body in the correct geometrical pattern to harness as much energy as you can while meditating.  Now close your eyes. Breathe only through your nose taking in deep breaths in and out. And finally, start chanting according to the breathing pattern.

3. WHEN and WHERE to do it?

It is best to create a natural environment free from negative energy to practice in. Try to practice daily for 11 minutes in the morning at this designated place. A less crowded place, a place that you find peaceful. We have an 11 minute Om chanting music mixed with Tibetan singing bowl, you can use this to start your meditation.

4. how many TIMES to chant?

Chant this mantra preferably for 108 times. It can be less depending on the state of meditation you want to reach. If you practice more, you will achieve a state of calmness and see things much clearer. The meaning of 108 is in its single digits – ‘1’ which implies one thing, ‘0’ implies nothing and ‘8’ – infinity. Also, it is advisable to use beads to remove distractions and help you in counting the number of chants.

5. OM + 432Hz for deep relaxation

Last year, at Meditative Mind Studios we produced this special OM mantra chants with a soothing female voice. It is great for deep relaxation. With a 432 Hz frequency, the mantra chanting lasts for 8 hours, so it can also be used for sleep meditation and for calming the stress. For meditating along with this, sit in a comfortable position and chant along with proper pronunciation along with the music. Align your breath with the chanting and focus on inhaling and exhaling.

We are working towards bringing more of these guides for community covering mantras, mindfulness meditations, yoga and sound healing. Let us know in the comments below, anything you would like us to cover. Many Blessings and Peace all the way!!