An Introduction to the Word “Om”An Introduction to the Word “Om”

•If you’ve ever attended a yoga class, chances are high that you have chanted “om” at the beginning or end of the class. But what exactly does this simple word mean and what are its origins?

•Pronounced “aum,” om is a Sanskrit word with roots in Hinduism. Some scholars believe that om first appeared in the Upanishads, a collection of sacred Hindu texts. The relevant passages in the Upanishads explain om as a word that represents the whole of the universe, including the past, present, and future. Other philosophers think of om as a way to express god or the divine, while some believe that it represents all consciousness.

•When chanting om or aum, we generally approach it as a collection of three sounds: “aahhh,” “oooh,” and “mmmm.” Just as the “aahhh” sound begins the chant, it also represents the creation of the universe. The next sound, “oooh,” relates to the energy that flows through the universe, while the final “mmmm” sound characterizes what might be called the transformative energy of the universe and its effect on the individual.