Part I – The Mystery
We open our practice with it, we close our practice with it. We get tattoos and wear jewelry with it. OM. But do we understand its significance beyond its ubiquitous presence?
A primal, primordial sound. In Hindu tradition, the OM mantra is the oldest and most sacred. It is sometimes referred to as the Hymn of the Universe. It is considered the first breath of creation. Indeed, the creation stories of most religions indicate that existence was brought forth with a sound. “In the beginning was the word...”. Not technically a word, but a vibration, and the OM vibration, as the first utterance of Creator, contains all vibrations in existence, past, present, and future.
There is a depth of information embedded in the OM symbol itself and we can mine much deeper insight and understanding by examining it. The familiar swoops and curves tell the tale of our human experience.
There are four components to the spoken mantra and we vocalize the first three as syllables, Ahhh Uhhh MMM. The fourth component is the silence through which the vibrations resonate. The written symbol consists of three curves (curves 1, 2, and 3), one semicircle (curve 4), and a dot. Together they symbolize all levels of consciousness, or, the totality of who we are.
Large Lower Curve 1
This represents the waking state, consciousness turned outward, and experiencing manifest creation through the five senses. Its larger size signifies the state we spend the most time in.
Upper Curve 2
This represents the unconscious state, where Self “desires nothing nor beholds any dreams.”
Middle Curve 3
This significantly lies between deep sleep and waking. It indicates the subconscious or dream state where 'self', gazing inward, beholds desires and inner reality.
These are the three states of human consciousness and the three curves therefore represent our entire physical phenomenon.
