The History of Om
In Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, “Om” is a sacred sound and a symbol of spirituality. It is thought to be the primordial sound that created the universe and is regarded as the sound of the cosmos. It’s believed that chanting “Om” might help one establish a connection with the divine and promote inner harmony and calm.
A popular misconception is that Om is a religious word or chant. Rather, the frequency of the Om chant is the same as that of the earth’s rotation around its axis….so “Om” is as old and primordial as the earth itself. So, it’s not surprising that the ancient religions were the first to discover this source of vibrational power.
What is Om?
The actual sound of Om is more of an A-O-uM. By chanting “aaaaaa” we summon the resonance of the central nervous system and our stomach/chest. By chanting “oooooo” we create vibrations in the throat and chest. Finally, by chanting “mmmmmm” we create a sound that resonates with the nasal cavity up through our brain.
By joining the three sounds above into one mantra, we get the historic “Ohm” chant (which is why you sometimes see it spelled with the “H” in the middle(or even “Aum”….to accentuate the 3 syllable nature of the sound. This sound is also known as the “Pravana” (power) mantra comprising of the A-U-M sounds representing the past, present and future.
This is why the Om chant is so powerful…because it joins together the sounds that sequentially activate the stomach up through the brain.
What Does Chanting Om do to the Brain?
Chanting “Om” can also have a positive impact on the nervous system. The vagus nerve controls how the body responds to stress, and it can be stimulated by the vibrations produced by the chant. This can lower blood pressure and heart rate.
Additionally, several research have revealed that repeating “Om” can benefit the brain. Theta and alpha waves, which are connected to relaxation and meditation, can become more active due to the vibrations produced by the chant.
A study published in the International Journal of Computer Science showed that the Om chant reinforced a calm steadiness of the mind with lasting benefits for weeks afterwards.
It is widely acknowledged that sound can be a potent healing agent with significant effects. Many techniques that are now being accepted by the scientific world were known to and used by the ancient yogis.
One of them is mantra recitation. Mantras are syllables that have an effect by resonating with particular bodily areas through sound vibrations.
Different syllables vibrate at various sound frequencies, which causes them to resonance with particular organs and bodily parts.
20Hz to 20KHz is the range of human hearing. Aum vibrates at 432 Hz, a frequency that is relatively low for human hearing.
This indicates that the sound wave is longer and vibrates at a slower frequency than a high-pitched sound at, say, 15 KHz. This has the physical effect of making the affected surface areas of these sound waves larger.
The Aum syllable addresses the entire human vocal apparatus on a physical level: we open the mouth (‘a’), move the lips closer together (‘u’), and finally close the mouth (‘m’).
This thoroughly engages the larynx. The letters “A” and “U” resonate in the stomach and chest, “M” in the nasal cavity, skull, and brain.
The energy from the abdomen is transferred to the brain by reciting Aum. We who regularly recite Aum before practicing see how it helps us to relax and clear our minds.
The Science of Om
The premise of the research supporting the practice of chanting “Om” is that the sound vibrations produced by the chant can have a beneficial effect on the body and mind. The vibrations produced by chanting “Om” may have a relaxing impact on the mind and body, resulting in a reduction in stress and anxiety, according to research.
Several years ago, scientists asked a group of people who had never meditated or chanted before, to chant the Om mantra for a couple minutes.
The scientists recorded each individual’s chants. When they compared the waveform of each person’s chants they saw that they were highly inconsistent across time and person.
The group was asked to continue chanting the Om mantra for a few minutes each day for a few days.
When the scientists measured the waveforms of the group’s chants at the end of a few days, they found that they were highly consistent with each other. All the waveforms had regular and consistent spacing…the individuals, with no training or intention, naturally fell into the frequency of the earth!
The participants were also tested on focus and steadiness exercises pre & post and showed dramatic improvements.
Final Thoughts…
In conclusion, research into the benefits of chanting “Om” points to the possibility that the sound vibrations produced by the chant may have a beneficial effect on the body and mind, reducing tension and anxiety and having an impact on the nervous system and the brain. To completely comprehend the possible advantages and restrictions of this therapy, more study is necessary. Remembering that chanting “Om” is a spiritual activity with various meanings and significance for various cultures and religions is also significant.