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Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Aum...or Om

A - emerges from the throat, originating in the region of the navel U - rolls over the tongue M - ends on the lips ; A - waking, U - dreaming, M - sleeping. It is the sum and substance of all the words that can emanate from the human throat. It is the primordial fundamental sound symbolic of the Universal Absolute.

In fact, when correctly pronounced, or rather, rendered, the "A" can be felt as a vibration that manifests itself near the navel or abdomen; the "U" can be felt vibrating the chest, and the "M" vibrates the cranium or the head. The abdominal vibration symbolises Creation; It is interesting that the "creative" or reproductive organs are also located in the lower abdomen. The vibration of the chest represents Preservation, which is also where the lungs are situated (the lungs sustain or preserve the body through breath). The vibration of the head is associated with Destruction or sacrifice, since all that one gives up or destroys is first destroyed mentally. Hence, the entire cycle of the universe and all it contains is said to be symbolised in AUM.

An individual's "Aum" is the sound that can be held steady the longest per breath for the longest consecutive sequence of breaths. It is called "aum" in every culture that is aware of it because it sounds like that in all humans. The lower pitches are more suited because they require less muscular contraction of the abdomen, leading to lower rates of oxygen consumption, allowing for longer time between breaths. The Aum is the exact sound that is easiest for the individual to produce.

Once the minimization of oxygen consumption occurs (by minimization of muscular exertion), the outflow of air will be steady and quite sensitive to any forces that alter the amount of pressure in the chest cavity. One of the most notable consequences of this is that the rhythmic contractions of the heart become audible within the Aum.

Thus, by the use of Aum:
one can easily hear their own heart.
a person can modify the pace of their heart.
a group of people can synchronize their heartbeats.

It is such a beautiful sound....and the vibration all through your body is incredible. And today I need to Aum. I need to modify the pace of my heart.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I've never tried Aum-ing.
Maybe that's the sound I've been so desparately missing?

I hope you find the right pace for your heart.

Fiona said...

D....yes, yes, YES!!!

If you are near any sort of yoga centre (not the purely physical yoga that is all the rage but the meditative kind) just pop in and ask them about it.

I've also emailed you with a sound file. Really, the effect of the vibration is indescribable, you just have to experience it.

Sometimes people refer to it as 'chanting' but it's more than that, it's a feeling that runs through your entire body - the sound is a by-product.

My heart is indeed feeling better today, thank you.

Anonymous said...

Hmm you need to send me that file too. I think with my accent I cant quite figure out the sound! It sounds all ver interesting though.

Fiona said...

Here you go Chele

http://www.day-of-om.net/index.php?option=com_remository&Itemid=99999999&func=fileinfo&parent=category&filecatid=4

say it along with me...

aaaaaahhhhhhhooooooohhhhhmmmmmmmmm

 

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