In my blog on Monday (“What’s Om Got to Do With It?”), I provided the definition of om, which represents the union of mind, body, and spirit and the whole universe compressed together into one single sound.
I provided the definition for two reasons. First, I really wanted my readers to understand the meaning; and second, because I really didn’t understand what it meant. I wanted to understand the benefits of chanting. I knew having a deeper meaning of what om meant would help it take on a whole new meaning in my yoga practice and I was right!
In my yoga class this morning, the yoga instructor led us in chanting om three times at the beginning of class. I closed my eyes and started to think about my part in the ever-changing cycle across the universe. The deep-resonating sound came up from my belly as I slowly pronounced each of the three syllables: aaaauuummm. I let myself be aware of my surroundings, my breath, my energy, and the deep, loud fullness of the sound. On the second round of chanting my journey began in earnest, and I felt the flowing movement of the Earth as a sense of connection enveloped me. It was both soothing and satisfying, and it definitely got my head in the right place to begin the class.
This getting to know the meaning of yoga stuff is really cool!
Instead of just sitting there chanting om and wondering what the heck it meant, I got to experience an amazing feeling of calm and connection. I am definitely going to delve more into the benefits of chanting.
If you’re looking for a person who is deeply connected—maybe not from a business sense, but connected with the universe—I’m your woman!
Photo: Jyn Meyer
