Om and Amen

“ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1: 1)

The presence of the Divine Word has ever been alive, in every being, especially in the human conscience. That is why man has been always craving for the unification with the Creator. As St. Augustine says, “Oh God, we are created by you and until our souls reach you they cannot be at rest.”  The musical Mantra of  Omnipotent God is always present in the subconscious or unconscious mind of man. It is expressed out occasionally in words of man either consciously or unconsciously. 

The Mantra ‘Om’

The origin of the Mantra ‘Om’ is unknown as it has been handed to us by the Yogic sages. According to the tradition of Vedas everything, either material or spiritual, has come out of the Primal Sound “Om” or the Divine Vibration. Modern science has been trying to prove that every atom or molecule is based on and comprised of vibration.

Om in Vedas

Indian philosophy and mystical thinking resonates with this chanting of ‘Om’. Vedic scriptures, Upanishads and Tantras describe the vitality of this mantra. Om symbolizes the way of Dharma. It is the way of Hindu Sanadhan Dharma(eternal way of life). It is the basis of Hindu philosophy. 

Om is also recognized as the integral part of Jainism, Buddhism and Sikhism. 

Spread of the mantra Om

For thousands years there has been trade relationship between India and other countries. The Vedic ideas and mantras also traveled along with the traders. Scholars have discovered a lot of similarities in languages between Sanskrit and European languages. They have accepted the close relationship between Latin, Greek and Sanskrit. 

Om and Amen

It has been stated that the Mantra ‘Om’ or ‘Aum’ of Hinduism has much influence with the ‘Amen’ or Amin’ of Judaism. In due course it became an integral part of Christianity. After a few centuries, it was incorporated into Islam as Amin. In Arabic ‘I’ is pronounced like ‘u’ when it occurs before a consonant. We can see Koran starting with ‘ALM’ or ‘AUM’ as we find the Hindu texts starting with Om. We may be surprised to find that an ancient mystical language of Ireland was called ‘Ogham’, pronounced ‘Ohm or Om or Aum’. It is noteworthy to consider the English words derived from Latin, such as Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent, having some connection with ‘Om’. Also think of the Greek alphabet ‘Omega’.

Om in Yoga

Om is the chanting mantra of yoga. It has no religious significance. Rather it represents the universal vibration of the cosmic energy. Om, when chanted with conscious of the Supreme Omnipotence, can fill our body and mind with that great vital power. It has the inherent qualities that transform the vibrating structure of the universal force. It has the great capacity of opening up new dimensions and heightening our perceptions. 

Chant ‘Om’ or ‘Amen’

Chanting of Om or Amen makes us live submissive to the Divine Omnipotence. We completely surrender ourselves to His Holy Will. We are immersed into that chanting mantra. We are energyzed by the ‘Eternal Word’. 

Om or Amen, the Universal Chanting Mantras

This eternal mantra doesn’t belong to any particular religion. It is universal to empower the whole universe. It is the part of our human heritage. Chanting them consciously links us to God, the Omnipotent power. 

Maitri Upanishad says, “Om is the primordial throb of the universe. It is the sound form of Consciousness”.