Om is the utmost vibration of positivity. It is a universal consonant and cosmic energy. According to the Vedas and the Big Bang theory, the sound Om (aum) created the entire universe. Chanting Om raises an individual’s vibrations, not only in the physical body but also in the psyche and intellect. By chanting Om, one can align with the whole.

Benefits of Om Chanting

How do you chant Om or Aum?

Also spelt AUM, it is pronounced with the sequence of three syllables A – U – M. The A sound originates in the rear of the larynx. U originates from the midline of the pharynx, while M originates from the lips and is nasal and labial.

The beauty is that we don’t have to do anything other than vibrate our vocal chords as we open and close our mouths to produce these noises. And all other noises that we are capable of producing are contained within these three utterances. Consequently, Aum is known as the primordial sound, and it is regarded as the primordial, perpetually murmuring sound of the universe.

What the Upanishads say about Om

The Upanishads emphasise numerous aspects of Om. According to a verse in the Mandukya Upanishads, the entire universe is the consonant Om. It proceeds as follows:

Om-ity-etad-aksharam-idam sarvam, bhutam bhavad bhavishyaditi sarvam-omkara eva. Trikalatitam tadapy omkara eva Yaccanyat

This is equivalent to:

All is OM: Hari Om. The whole universe is the syllable Om. Following is the exposition of Om. Everything that was, is, or will be is, in truth Om. All else which transcends time, space, and causation is also Om.

According to the Chandogya Upanishads, the syllable Om, also known as the Udgitha, should be meditatively contemplated; people chant the Udgitha, which begins with Om. Udgitha (Om) is the finest of all essences, the utmost, and merits the highest position.

Also read: Grapes can protect you against UV damage to the skin

What are the benefits of Om chanting?

1. Chanting Om raises the vibrations from within, allowing you to feel happier and blissful.
2. It clears out negative energy, purifying the environment, including people around you.
3. It provides an instant feeling of calm.
4. The vibrations help balance moods and emotions.
5. Purifies and improves your aura.
6. It has self-healing powers which improve immunity and strength.
7. It makes you calmer, happier and healthier.
8. It improves concentration, memory and focus.
9. It reduces blood pressure and maintains a healthy rhythmic heartbeat.
10. It has a profound impact on reducing stress and anxiety. It eliminates worries from the mind.
11. Improves imagination and creativity.
12. You will soon begin to feel the subtle, pure and strong energy within you. Any heaviness, negativity, imbalance and confusion will begin to subside.

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Some people can feel the benefits of meditation after just one session. Research demonstrates that daily meditation is not necessary, but that consistent practise is necessary to reap the benefits. At least three times per week, meditating for 10 to 20 minutes will yield tangible benefits. The key, however, is consistency.

It is simpler than you think to get started, and the outcome is well worth the time and effort. If you’ve never meditated before or it’s been a while, beginning with as little as five or ten minutes can help you establish a sustainable practice. Even if you believe you cannot remain still for even one minute, this is a practise that everyone can do. Here are some Easy Tips To Start and Maintain A Meditation Practice:

Easy Tips To Start and Maintain A Meditation Practice

Create A Space

Establish a “sanctuary.” Ensure that it is a tranquil and comfortable space that promotes your practise and sense of well-being. Include florals. Also candles. Or either!

Get Comfortable

You are not required to sit on the floor in the lotus position with your legs crossed. Place your feet on the ground and sit in a chair. Or, if you are more flexible, you can sit with your legs crossed on a meditation cushion or bolster. People who have had hip or knee replacements may find that lying down is more comfortable.

Posture

Posture is important. You want to be comfortable yet alert. Or as Cory Muscara, leading mindfulness meditation expert says, “Sit upright, not uptight.” Meaning, your head and neck are in line with your spine. Shoulders are relaxed. The throat and chest are open to allow the breath to flow freely.

Make It A Ritual

Again, have a designated spot where you can meditate. Practice at the same time every day. Mornings and before bed are great times but pick a time that works best for your schedule and stick to it. Remember that consistency is key.

Start Small and Practice, Practice, Practice

If meditating ten minutes seems overwhelming, begin with five or even three minutes. Start where you are, even if it’s one minute of focused breathing a few times a day. Every time the mind wanders, bring your attention back to the breath. Think of it as a form of mental fitness – a bicep curl for your mind. Each time you sit down to practice you are training your brain to focus and to be at peace.

See if after a week you can build upon your practice by adding a minute each week. Ultimately building up to a ten or twenty-minute practice, at least three times per week.

Be Kind To Yourself

There is no correct or incorrect method of practise. Remember that it is a process, one that requires time, effort, and commitment before you can begin to reap the many benefits. Sitting down to meditate is a radical act of self-love in and of itself.

If you are having difficulty with your practise, do not quit up! Remember that being mindful is straightforward, not difficult. We have been trained to be constantly active and productive. We must therefore rediscover how to be still. How to have faith in being. Again, begin where you are and be kind to yourself in times of difficulty. I guarantee that if you commit to a consistent practise, you will experience more calm and clarity in your life very soon!

Also read: Mind Blowing Health Benefits of Brinjal

Practice With A Friend or Group

Find a meditation-interested acquaintance or join a local or online meditation community. Accountability can help us overcome our excuses and remain committed to our meditation objectives when we are compelled to quit.  A benefit of group meditation is that it strengthens our sense of connectedness.

Breathe

Our minds constantly ponder. According to fMRI brain scans, the average human has 6,200 novel thoughts per day, according to a new study from psychologists at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario. That’s a great deal of ideas! When bombarded with thoughts of the past and concerns about the future, it’s simple to see how easily we can become detached from the present moment.

By focusing on your respiration, however, you are firmly rooted in the present. The respiration exists only in the present moment. Whether you are seated in formal meditation or standing in queue at the grocery store, focusing on your breath can help prevent negative thoughts from gathering momentum and reconnect you with the present moment.

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The most intriguing aspect of these benefits is how meditation specifically affects the brain.

Let’s be honest. Meditation is difficult! Initially, it appears simple: simply close your eyes and breathe. Yes, but there is much more to meditation than that. There are numerous ways to meditate, such as counting breaths, repeating mantras, or simply observing thoughts without attachment or judgement.

Mindfulness meditation is an effective technique for novices because it provides the practitioner with specific objects of attention. You practise mindfulness by becoming entirely aware of your environment, such as the way the wind feels against your skin and the sensation of walking barefoot on a cold floor.

Meditation on mindfulness can be practiced anywhere, at any time, and it enhances your experience of the present moment. This is an effective method to remain present, tranquil, and capable of handling any challenges that arise. Here are Five Benefits of Meditation That Will Change Your Life.

Five Benefits of Meditation That Will Change Your Life:

Meditation is like a breath of fresh air for the mind, as anyone who practises it regularly can attest. We are aware that meditation feels good, but what are its actual benefits and how does it affect the brain specifically? Read on to find out more!

1. Greater Sense of Self-Awareness

Meditation enables us to conduct an internal mental inventory of our bodies. How does our physical organism feel in the present? What incredible abilities does our body possess? Do we feel robust or weak? What can we do to alleviate any pains in our bodies?

Meditation, like the physical practise of yoga, strengthens the connection between the mind and body. Through this increased self-awareness, we cultivate present-moment awareness, which enables us to remain present, grounded, and focused in all aspects of our lives and in every moment.

 2. Reduce Stress and Anxiety

Obsessing over the past or the future frequently results in misery. When we are completely immersed in the present, we experience contentment. We can only control what is occurring in the present, so there is no reason to dwell on the past or the future.

Our lives are always in the present. Meditation is the anchor that allows you to remain present. This is the key to reducing stress, obtaining control over anxiety, and leading a happier, stress-free existence.

3. Increase Mental Clarity and Focus

We are completely engaged in the present action if we are mindful and intent on the present moment. Imagine how much better your work would be if you were completely focused on it, rather than being distracted by mental chatter or monitoring your phone or social media every five minutes.

Meditation enables us to disconnect and tune in to what lies beneath the surface of our thoughts. Your memory and mental acuity will also improve as this becomes a subconscious habit resulting in enhanced mental clarity and focus.

4. Emotional Intelligence

When we have uninterrupted time to meditate, we are better able to connect with our emotions. We may recognise the source of our unease or anxiety. Regular meditation not only enables us to recognise our emotions as fleeting, but also to remain with them without avoiding or being afraid of confronting them.

By being able to remain with your thoughts, you can work through your emotions instead of ignoring or repressing them. As a result, you increase your emotional intelligence and your ability to recognise and resolve emotional issues as they arise, which has positive effects on your relationships and mental state.

5. Trigger the Brain’s Relaxation Response

Herbert Benson, the founder of the Mind-Body Medical Institute, asserts that meditation activates the brain’s “relaxation response.” Components of this response include alterations in heart rate, metabolism, and brain chemistry, all for the purpose of bringing you and your brain to a state of heightened relaxation.

Sounds amazing, doesn’t it?! It is! And this relaxation can contribute to improved sleep, the ability to fall asleep faster, stress management, less anxiety, and a greater capacity to maintain emotional equilibrium.

Also read: Mind Blowing Health Benefits of Brinjal

The Benefits of Meditation Improve Your Daily Life

Meditation is a practise, and with that practise come tremendous mental and physical health benefits. Some days it is simple to calm the mind, while other days it is difficult. Know that regardless of the outcome of each meditation session, you are doing yourself a world of good.

Meditation is a powerful practise that teaches perseverance, self-assurance, resilience, and consciousness. Even closing your eyes and inhaling and exhaling deeply constitutes a form of meditation. Try taking a few deep breaths in and out the next time you feel anxious, knowing that you are receiving the benefits of meditation.

Prepare to be a less anxious, more self-aware, and more relaxed version of yourself as a result of your meditation practise!

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Finding time throughout the day to meditate, whether for five or twenty minutes, can help you feel happier and more at ease, and your mind and body will appreciate it. We’ve listed a few of the many Health Benefits of Meditation below.

Health Benefits of Meditation
•    You can deal with stress better
Meditation promotes mental and physical tranquility, which reduces tension. When it relaxes and lets go, the body follows the mind. Our adrenaline and nervous systems require periodic unplugging, recycling, and rejuvenation.

•    It relieves anxiety
Meditation is widely regarded as the most effective portable treatment for anxiety. Simply closing your eyes and performing breathing exercises for a few minutes can turn off the mechanisms in your brain that cause anxiety. It allows you to de-stress by simply relaxing and remaining composed under duress. By reducing your blood pressure and tension levels, mindfulness can help you feel more relaxed.

•    It helps reduce the symptoms of depression 
Frequently provoked by tension and anxiety, depression is a group of mental health conditions. According to research, meditation can alter depression-related brain regions, such as the’me centre’ and ‘anxiety centre.’

•    Your brain can be retrained 
The brain grows as it is used. Meditation retrains the brain to use the prefrontal cortex, or’me centre,’ to modulate the ‘fear centre,’ according to studies. As a result, when we are not meditating and are confronted with a stressor, our prefrontal cortex will direct our minds to consider more calmly and clearly, as opposed to reacting impulsively.

•    It is beneficial to your heart
The risk of cardiovascular disease has been shown to be reduced by meditation in studies. Meditation lowers overall cardiovascular mortality, cardiac muscle efficacy, and blood pressure.

•     It reduces blood pressure 
High blood pressure is a global epidemic that increases the risk of stroke and heart attack and affects adults. According to research, meditation can reduce blood pressure naturally and without medication.

•    It promotes inner strength 
We have all wished we could escape from traffic or a tedious meeting. Practicing meditation and mindfulness helps develop inner strength and endurance to patiently endure these situations because it creates the capacity to be in the present moment regardless of the circumstances; we are simply able to be with challenging things without unraveling or allowing them to affect us.

•    Anger management 
It is normal to feel anger when confronting challenging individuals or situations. When you meditate, you train your brain to focus on the present, which enables you to learn how to control and process your emotions in the present moment. Perhaps you’re upset, but if you calm down and simply experience your emotions, focusing on your breath will generate a sense of mental relief.

•    Pain management
As a result of the activation of brain regions associated with pain processing by meditation, mindful respiration can aid in the management of chronic pain. According to research, even a brief period of meditation can increase pain tolerance and decrease pain-related anxiety, thereby potentially reducing the need for opioid pain medications.

•    Meditation protects against burnout
As we work longer hours and take on more responsibilities, it is simple to experience burnout. According to research, mindfulness-based stress reduction may reduce the portion of the brain responsible for anxiety and fear, while strengthening the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for personality development.

Also read: How Important Is Your Drinking Water’s PH?

A Take-Home Message
Modern research and personal experience demonstrate that meditation is beneficial for achieving life objectives, with some even referring to it as “food for the soul” and claiming that it can open doors to a better existence. Even if you only have a few minutes per day, why not attempt a form of meditation that suits your goals? It’s a wonderful way to enhance your quality of life.

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