The Significance, or not, of the word ‘OM’.

Many a people, and ism, have a beef against the word ‘Om’.

Are they justified? Or, is their objection to the usage of ‘Om’, especially in the practice of Yoga or even otherwise, a nescience — a nonsensical non-knowing of higher metaphysical matters as such?

And is the over-use, and that too a bit too ostentatiously so in public platforms of the word ‘Om’, specifically by the ‘exported’ spiritual teachers from India, and their over enthusiastic indigenous ‘firangi’ disciples, equally silly?

Well, yes, and no!

Frankly, the word OM or AUM does have some significance. But it is so in a certain limited context, in the metaphysical realm. But at the Absolute level, no. For, the Ultimate is self-created, unconditioned, eternal reality of What Is.

Not sound, but silence is the natural state of being of ‘THAT’ Which Is.

Yet, it must be added, without doubt ‘Om’ does seem to do something or the other in the seeker, while chanting it — whether one knows it or not, during the process.

Some people, especially of my motherland, India, are a bit too inclined to think of OM or AUM as the “sound of the universe” — of the cosmic existence, so to say. Sorry. It is not.

However, it — a sound akin ‘Om’ — may be heard were one to meditate upon it. And it may come into being even without meditating specifically upon it. For, the metaphysical ‘happenings’ in the Eternal Quest do have a will of their own.

It is not the end experience though.

That is, at the moment of ‘THAT’ which is the IT of all — in the moment of enlightenment, self-realization or ‘rapture’ — no such sound is heard.

Nor does it enter into the calculation of the Finality of it all. During the Revelation of What Is.

• But does chanting OM or AUM have some practical metaphysical benefit, for the meditating being?
• Does it enhance one’s “performance” as if, in one’s spiritual quest?
• And does it aid in “getting” the ‘That’ of the Final Reality — of “finding” God, so to say?

Well, it seems to help.

Sages of afore, the ancient freemystics of India do favour its usage.

For, this particular sound, or a ‘vibration’ akin its outwardly enunciated word — OM/AUM — is definitely heard at some stage during one’s metaphysical quest and spiritual seeking of the Ultimate Truth and Reality.

Therefore, this much is sure — OM or AUM is a “checked out”, a proven metaphysical “happening” that occurs in the seeking of ‘IT’. The Absolute, of What Is.

One may benefit from it, as one may from a voice or a sound guiding us towards our aimed for destination. Like say, a friend you are going to visit, hailing you in the dark, and guiding your steps as though toward the path leading to his house in the deep stillness of a particularly naughty night.

So, yes ‘Om’ is helpful in leading the seeker to the path, of That Which Is.

• But could one do without it?
• Were one not to chant OM or AUM during meditation or in the process of one’s seeking, would it hinder a seeker’s quest?
• Could one yet get the Ultimate Truth?

To that the answer is a definite YES.

For, eventually the enfolding of the “god particle”, so to say, is unbound to any doings or undoings of one’s own. It is a matter of Grace.

IT, the DIVINE REALITY, dawns upon whom it may.

Even upon a fool. But a “divine fool”, needless to say. So, simply put, the Truth or Enlightenment may, and does, dawn upon the devotee who “pleases” the Universal Self — that which most of humankind addresses as the God, or the “Lord Almighty”. Though the almighty reality is no human-like entity, it must be clarified.

Thus the question arises, “Should a seeker chant OM/AUM in one’s meditative practice?”

Of course, one should.

Could one do without it? Indeed one may.

Though one should not. For, a wise seeker does not ignore sagacious advise. Especially so if taking up the “good word”, benefits somehow in one’s quest for ‘IT’ — the Truth of Whatsoever Is.

So, be a divine fool, if you have to be a fool.

Om!