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 The
following article contains information about three short and powerful
mantras—sacred sounds that may effectively be used individually or in
groups for transformation: “OM”, “AH” and
“HU”.
These mantras
are particularly
useful sounds for projecting specific intentions. Please
note that it does
not seem to matter what pitch, frequency or keynote the
mantra is chanted with regard to the effect of the mantra. The intention
of the chanter, however, does seem to affect the power of the mantra and
can amplify the energy even more. For this reason, you may find the
article on “Intention” of interest.
Mantras
Mantras
are “words of power”. The word “mantra” is Sanskrit and may be
translated as the “thoughts that liberate from samsara (the world of
illusions)”. Mantras are listened to or recited by a practitioner for
many different purposes; as a means of achieving different states of
consciousness, to create resonance with specific attributes of divine
energy, and to manifest different qualities, from resonating the chakras
to embodying compassion.
Mantras
are found in all the different sacred traditions including Judaism and
Christianity—the “Hail Mary” or “Amen” in the Christian
Tradition or the “Shema” or “Shalom” in the Hebrew tradition are
the equivalent of mantras, as is any repetition of prayer, chant or sacred
sound. The prayers, chants and sacred sounds of the Native American
tradition or the Islamic tradition may also be considered mantras. In
fact, there is virtually no spiritual tradition, including indigenous
peoples, in which the recitation of sacred sound as mantra does not occur.
While
there are many mantras that are quite long and complex, many people are
often looking for short mantras that may be easily sounded when people
meet together in a group. Within the context of mantra, the most famous of
these mantras— the mantra that is considered the “first of all
mantras” is the OM. For this reason, the “Om” is an excellent mantra
to work with. In this writing, we will examine several such short mantras
which may be used effectively.
On
“OM”
Of all
the sacred sounds on this planet, the one that is most often chanted is
the “OM”. Undoubtedly, at any given moment, there is someone,
somewhere chanting this sacred mantra. The “OM ” is considered one of
the oldest vocal sounds in existence—many speculate that it has been
chanted for untold thousands of years. It is considered to be the
original, primordial sound—the mantra of creation.
OM
is a mantra from the Hindu tradition. OM is a Sanskrit word, which is said
to be the original primordial creative sound from which the universe and
all of creation first manifested. While pronounced “OM”, certain
Sanskrit scholars state that it is written as “AUM”. Many consider the
two words to be interchangeable because of this. OM is said to be the
sound that contains all sounds--it is the totality of all other sounds.
Swami Sivananda Radha says, “The cosmic sound AUM, or its condensed
form, OM, is the origin of all other sound. OM is everything. It is the
name of God.”
OM
is a multi-dimensional sound, and as such, may be understood a number of
different ways. One understanding is that OM (or it’s written form “AUM”)
represents attributes of the major trinity of Hindu gods; Brahman, Vishnu
and Shiva. The sounding of the “A” represents the energy of Brahman,
the creator and the creational process. The middle portion of the sound,
the “U” represents the energy of Vishnu, the preserver and relates to
the maintenance and preservation of what has been created. The final
“M” represents the energy of Shiva, the transformer and relates to the
vital transformational energy to shift and change that which has been
created and preserved.
Another
understanding of the OM (or “AUM”) is that the “A” represents the
physical plane, the “U” the “mental and astral planes” and the
“M, all that is beyond the reach of the intellect. “AUM” or OM is
the initial syllable, which begins almost all mantras. Thus OM represents
the Infinite, the One Mind, the all embracing consciousness—that which
is the very essence of existence.
In
the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the OM (“AUM”) represents different
aspects of the trinity of the Body, Speech and Mind of the Buddha, or an
enlightened being. The “A” represents the Body, the “U” represents
Speech, and the “M” represents the Mind. Sounding the AUM in this
manner puts one in resonance with these qualities of consciousness.
The
OM is a Bija (or “seed”) mantra and may be utilized to resonate the
third eye. However, it may also be chanted as a 3 syllable word “AUM”
(and pronounced as “AH – OH - MMM”) to resonate the heart, the
throat and the crown chakras. In fact, the OM can, through our intent,
become a multi-purpose mantra with capabilities of resonating and aligning
all the chakras—of cleansing imbalanced energies and purifying self.
Sung with sincerity and devotion, vocalization of the OM can put the
chanter in touch with the source of all creation, providing a bridge
between the spiritual and physical dimensions and opening the way for
inspirational contact with higher realms and beings.
Many
people ask if there is indeed a correct pronunciation for the OM. Is it
“OM” or “AUM” or something else? In reality, there does not seem
to be a correct pronunciation. Depending upon the country, language and
dialect, the OM can be pronounced “AUM, UM, UNG, ANG, ONG” and so on.
Yet, the resonance and effects of this mantra seem to be very similar
despite varied differences in pronunciation. Much depends upon the
intention of the person creating the sound—where do they wish the
“OM” to resonate—which chakra and for what purpose. .
OM as a sound symbolizes the supreme
source. To many, the sound of OM is synonymous with the energy of peace.
OM may be found as the root of many sacred words of different languages
including our western “Amen” and the Hebrew “Shalom”, which has
many meanings including “peace”. The OM initiates peace and
tranquility when it is listened to, and particularly when it is chanted.
On
“AH”
One of
the most powerful mantras on this planet is the sound “AH”. This is an
extremely powerful sound--particularly useful for generating compassion. I
know you will agree that compassion is truly a key to transformation of
consciousness on this planet.
The
"AH" sound is a sacred seed syllable—a sacred mantras in many
Eastern traditions including Tibetan Buddhism. It is also a vowel
sound—a divinely inspired sound that is considered sacred in many
different traditions including Hebrew Kabbalah.
The
“AH” sound is found in most of the God and Goddess names on the planet
(Tara, Buddha, Krishna, Yah, Yeheshua, Saraswati, Wakantanka, Quan Yin,
etc.), as well as many of the sacred words (Amen, Alleluia, Aum). As a
seed syllable, the “AH” is universal and may be utilized differently
in different traditions, depending upon its purpose. In the Tibetan
tradition, the “AH” is as a sacred mantra. In Western mystical
traditions, it is a vowel sound
Most
mystical traditions worldwide that work is the vowels sounds in
relationship to the chakras find that the “AH” sound the sound of the
heart chakra. This chakra, which is located in the center of the chest is
the energy center associated with love and compassion. Indeed, when many
people think about the energy of love, they express it as an “AH”
sound. Many spiritual masters believe that the activation of this chakra
is most helpful for achieving higher consciousness and enlightenment. Most
agree that the energy of love and the heart is the primary, essential
energy of the universe.
Many
people believe that the “AH” sound is the primary sound that is
created when we are born—the sound being birthed on the inhalation of
the first breath. The “AH” sound is also the last sound we make,
riding on the energy of our final exhalation. In Tibetan Buddhism, there
is a co-meditation technique which uses the “AH” sound. Chanting
“AH” together (or even simply by just breathing together) allows
people to attune and resonate with each other. It seems that the heart
beat, respiration and brain waves of two people will entrain with each
other through breathing or sounding “AH” together. This use of the
“AH” sound may be particularly effective for those involved in hospice
work. In this situation, the “AH” sound may once again be used as a
sound of the heart chakra.
I
often recommend the “AH” as a sound for people who want to work with
short mantras in groups. The reason for this is that as has been
discussed, “AH” is an extremely transformative sound. Yet, most people
know of it only as a vowel sound, and thus it defies association with any
spiritual denomination or description as a mantra. While other sounds such
as “OM” might be rejected by certain audiences because they are
recognized as Eastern mantras or coming from another spiritual traditions,
the sounding of an “AH” is acceptable by everyone regardless of their
background, culture or religion.
Here is an easy exercise with regard to
working with the “AH” sound to generate the energy of compassion. All
you do is have people sound an "AH" while they are generating
the energy of compassion. Start first with yourself, then with someone you
love, then with someone you have neutral energy with and finally with
someone you have difficulty with. It is this last that provides the
greatest opportunity for spiritual growth, since it's easy to send love to
someone you love and real hard to do it to someone you don't.
On
“HU”
Just
as many traditions believe that the “OM” is the original creative
sound, there are traditions that believe that this energy may be
attributed to another sound—the “HU”. In the Shabd Yoga traditions,
including Master Path and Eckankar and in the mystical Islamic path of
Sufi, the “HU” is considered to be the highest vibratory mantra that
can be sounded. Chanting the “HU” is said to lead one to
transcendence—to God realization and enlightenment.
“HU”
is believed to be the universal name of God, which is present in every
existing language. The “HU” sound has been described as many things
from the buzzing of bees to the rushing of wind to the flute of God. It is
said to be present in the words we speak, in the sounds of animals; that
it is the wind in the trees, the rushing of waters, the roaring of water
falls, the beat of the sea against a beach—that it is everywhere, in
every plane.
Like
the “AH” and the “OM”, the “HU” may be perceived of as a seed
syllable. Depending upon its pronunciation, it may also be perceived of as
a vowel sound—the “U”. The “HU” creates extraordinary energy for
balance and clearing. Many believe it activates both the heart and the
crown chakras. When sounded together in a large group, it is extremely
powerful and transformative.
Different
spiritual paths seem to have very different ways of pronouncing the “HU”,
the sacred name of God. Certain spiritual paths from the Shabd Yoga
traditions will chant it as one would the word “you”. Other spiritual
variants of Shabd Yoga, will chant it as the word “who” which is said
to be good for clearing the crown chakra. In the Sufi Tradition, there is
even a way of chanting the “HU”, doing it with lips barely touching
and being the primary vibrator, so that this “HU” sound almost sounds
like a motorboat or a buzzing insect. The Sufis perceive this “HU” is
good for resonance of the throat chakra. Different groups may insist that
their pronunciation of “HU” is the only correct pronunciation.
However, regardless of the way it is chanted, continued, elongated
sounding of “HU”, particularly with specific intention and
visualization, will lead the reciter into an elevated state of
consciousness.
Conclusion
“OM”, “AH” and “HU” are just a few of the one syllable
mantras from different traditions—there are many others. These three
have been described because of their recognition and power.
Interestingly,
these one-syllable mantras combine quite easily. In fact, if one chants
the “OM” or “AUM” as a three-syllable sound as suggested
elsewhere—“AH OH MM”—you have one combination which contains at
least two of these sounds. When pronounced in the way, the “OM” or
“AUM” should be sounded on one breath. Project the 3 syllables as
three separate sounds so that the “AH” resonates the heart center, the
“OH” resonates the throat center and the “MM” resonates the third
eye and crown. This way of sounding the “OM” is extremely effective in
a group for bringing the energy of the people together.
The
Tibetan Buddhist Chant of “OM AH HUM” also contains these sounds. The
“OM AH HUM”, the Mantra of Blessing frequently precedes the recitation
of other mantras. In this setting, when utilized as part of this mantra,
the “AH” embodies the principle of creative sound and pure speech and
is used to resonate the throat chakra (with the “OM” resonating the
crown chakra and the “HUM” resonating the heart chakra).
In
conclusion, these three mantras of “OM”, “AH” and “HUM” are
particularly effective for working with a group in order to create and
then project sacred sound for use to assist in planetary healing
sound—using sound to assist the creation of peace and harmony on the
earth. As always, it should be stated that the intent of the chanter is of
great importance. In the article on “INTENTION” is much information on
understanding this and in particular, the formula Vocalization +
Visualization = Manifestation. By themselves, these mantras have their own
extraordinary divine resonance. But through skillful means, one can
project intention upon these sounds, amplifying and making even more
extraordinary the great healing gifts they can bring. 
Click on the link to read another of our articles
by Jonathan Goldman
Sacred
Sounds / Healing Sounds
Jonathan
Goldman is the author of Healing Sounds, The Power
of Harmonics, Shifting
Frequencies, and The Lost Chord. He is
President of Spirit Music and
Director of the Sound Healers
Association. Jonathan is a world renowned
Author, Musician,
Teacher, Chant Master and Sound Healer. He lectures and
gives
workshops on the therapeutic and transformational uses of sound
and
music worldwide.
Jonathan
has created numerous cutting edge recordings including: "Dolphin
Dreams,"Gateways: Sacred Drumming and Chanting,"and "Trance
Tara." His overtone chanting is heard on many of Kitaro's albums.
Jonathan's newest release is the best selling recording, "Chakra
Chants," winner of the 1999 Visionary Awards for "Best
Healing-Meditation Album" and "Album of the Year".
www.healingsounds.com
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