Power of chanting OM

Om is one of the most chanted sound symbols in India. It has a profound effect on the body and mind of the one who chants and also on the surroundings.

Ø Most mantras and vedic prayers start with Om.
Ø All auspicious actions begin with Om.
Ø It is even used as a greeting - Om, Hari Om etc.
Ø It is repeated as a mantra or meditated upon.
Ø Its form is worshipped, contemplated upon or used as an auspicious sign.
Ø Om is the universal name of the Lord.

It is made up of the letters A, U and M. The sound emerging from the vocal chords
starts from the base of the throat as "A".
With the coming together of the lips, "U" is formed and
when the lips are closed, all sounds end in "M".

The Om chant should have the resounding sound of a bell (aaooommm).

It is said that the Lord started creating the world after chanting Om and atha. Hence its sound is considered to create an auspicious beginning for any task that we undertake.

Om is written in different ways in different places. The most common form symbolizes Lord Ganesha’s. The upper curve is the head; the lower large one, the stomach; the side one, the trunk; and the semi-circular mark with the dot, the sweetmeat ball (modaka) in Lord Ganesha's hand.

Advantages and effects of Omkar Chanting
1) It helps in Cleansing the mind.
2) Controlling the emotions.
3) Improves the concentration, memory andunderstanding capacity.
4) Relaxes Physically, Mentally, Emotionally.
5) Charges the surrounding atmosphere.
AUM can be seen through the eyes, listened to via earsand chanted via tongue. It is some what simpler to concentrate on the above 3 sense organs, so it is easyto concentrate the mind directly on the object.
This is achieved by fixing AUM as a target for meditationon which 3 sense organs are focused. In addition to this the chanting of AUM has tranquilizing effect onthe mind, which helps concentrate easily.

Systematic Method of Chanting OM/Aum
The OM is to be chanted in a most comfortable posture.
The OM is to be chanted during exhalation after deep inhalation. The OM is composed of two vowels A,U & one alphabet M.The total timing of 10 seconds for chanting of one AUM is divided as follows:
A - 2 seconds
u - 3 seconds
M - 5 seconds
A - is to be pronounced for 2 seconds with open lips
U - is to be pronounced for 3 seconds while partiallyclosing the lips.
M - is to be pronounced for 5 seconds while lipscompletely closed.
Complete 1 repetition of AUM is as follows.
1. Deep inhalation in 5 seconds.
2. Exhaling pronounce A for 2 seconds with lips open.
3. Exhaling pronounce U for 3 seconds with lips partially closed.
4. Exhaling pronounce M for 5 seconds with lips completely closed.
This complete repetition takes 15 seconds and it canbe repeated for as many times as you want. You may find it difficult to inhale in 5 seconds and exhale in 10 seconds initially, so you have to adjust the timing as per your capacity in the beginning. But keep in mind that you have to achieve the ideal timings. If you follow the instructions given in the practice session, you'll be able to chant AUM/Om properly and get all the benefits of AUM/Om.