Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Now gently chant OM… and feel the vibration ripple through your being. That simple sound is not just a spiritual cliché or a yoga-class ritual — it is the sacred syllable that represents the entire universe.
In the ancient Indian traditions, OM — also written as AUM or symbolized as ॐ — is said to be the sound from which the universe was created. It is the vibration that connects all things, the hum of cosmic energy, the eternal pulse of existence.
But what does that really mean? Let’s explore.
The Meaning of OM
OM is far more than a sound. It is a spiritual formula encoded with the essence of the universe — representing the past, present, and future, as well as the transcendence of time itself.
In Sanskrit, OM is said to contain three phonetic components:
A (अ) – The waking state, where we experience the world through our five senses.
U (उ) – The dream state, where the mind creates its own reality.
M (म) – The deep sleep state, where there is no awareness or activity.
After the M comes silence — this is the fourth state: Turiya, or the Infinite State of pure consciousness. It is not a sound, but the space that holds all sounds. It cannot be described — only experienced.
The Four States of Consciousness
Ancient yogic and Vedantic teachings describe four levels of human consciousness, all of which are represented in OM.
1. Conscious State (Jagrat)
This is the state you’re in right now — awake, sensing, thinking, doing. Here, we interact with the external world using our five senses. It’s the most familiar state, but also the one most prone to illusion. In this state, we’re often caught up in daily drama and forget our deeper nature.
2. Dream State (Swapna)
In dreams, we disconnect from the outside world but continue experiencing internally. Our thoughts create entire worlds. Time bends. Logic dissolves. This state represents the subconscious mind — our desires, fears, and unresolved emotions.
3. Unconscious State (Sushupti)
Deep sleep. No dreams, no awareness, no ego. It’s a state of pure rest. But unlike Turiya, it is still bound by ignorance — there is no self-awareness, just a blankness. Some texts also associate this state with death, as both represent a temporary withdrawal from worldly consciousness.
4. Infinite State (Turiya)
This is the goal of yogic and spiritual practice — a state of pure, boundless awareness. Turiya is beyond the mind, body, and ego. It is often called Brahman, the Absolute, or Universal Consciousness. You can’t hear it, touch it, or even name it properly. But when you meditate deeply or experience a moment of complete stillness, you may sense it — the background silence behind all existence.
The Symbol ॐ: A Visual Code
The ॐ symbol is more than just calligraphy — it’s a visual representation of the four states of consciousness.
The large lower curve symbolizes the waking state.
The middle curve represents the dream state.
The upper curve shows deep sleep.
The dot signifies the Turiya state — pure awareness.
The crescent between the dot and the curves is Maya — the veil of illusion that separates us from the Infinite.
This elegant symbol tells the entire story of human consciousness — and its journey toward transcendence.
Maya: The Illusion That Binds
Maya is the Sanskrit word for illusion — the force that distorts reality and makes us believe we are limited beings. It’s the false identification with the body, the ego, and the external world. In the OM symbol, Maya is the curve that blocks us from realizing the Infinite (Turiya).
Maya keeps us trapped in cycles of desire, fear, success, failure, birth, and death. Only when we dissolve Maya through awareness, meditation, and self-inquiry, can we experience the boundless state that OM points to.
OM in Practice: Why Do We Chant It?
When you chant OM, you align yourself with the universal frequency. It is said that OM resonates at 432 Hz, a frequency believed to be in harmony with the natural vibrations of the universe.
Here’s what chanting OM does for you:
Calms the mind – The vibration slows down brain waves and induces relaxation.
Balances energy – OM chanting activates and balances the chakras, especially the Ajna (third eye) and Sahasrara (crown).
Improves focus – The rhythmic sound anchors attention and deepens meditation.
Connects you to Source – You feel less like an isolated self and more like a wave in the ocean of consciousness.
Try chanting it three times before or after your yoga session. Let the sound ripple through your chest, throat, and head. Let the silence after the chant absorb you.
Scientific Perspective
Modern science is slowly catching up to what yogis have known for centuries. Research shows that chanting OM:
Lowers stress and blood pressure
Enhances vagus nerve activity (which regulates relaxation)
Synchronizes the left and right hemispheres of the brain
Improves respiratory and cardiovascular function
So whether you’re spiritual or scientific — OM has something for you.
OM Is Everything
In the Mandukya Upanishad, a sacred text from ancient India, it’s said:
> “AUM is the one eternal syllable. All that was, is, and will be, is AUM.”
This means OM is not just a sound or symbol. It is existence itself. It is creation, preservation, and dissolution — the cosmic cycle of life. It is the origin and the destination. The self and the beyond.