Quick question on this practice…
I inadvertently touched my teeth lightly together during the “mmmm” part in my last practice. Of course there was [B]much more [/B]vibration through my head when this happened. I haven’t read about anyone suggesting doing this, but was curious on weather it could be seen as beneficial since you are effectively passing more vibration through the head.
Any thoughts?
Yes, the “mmm” part takes place when the mouth is closed. However, the “mmm” part is the shortest part of the OM sound. Your ratio should be 3:2:1; the “Aoooo” should be twice as long as longer as the “uuuuuuu” and three times as longer as the “mmmm”
A few more tips and food for thought:
AUM is not an exercise. It is a skill that will go a long way if mastered.
AUM is primordial sound that goes beyond the self, the environment, even all the known world. So, proper chanting should make you aware of this expanded universe, in progression.
The purpose of AUM is not just to create the sound. AUM exists even without chanting, by your or by anybody.
AUM is pure sound, that is, vibrations. Think of any foreign language, it is only “sound” to our ego. And how do we “hear” the sound? Vibration received and processed by the brain. Chanting is the learner’s primary aid to creating those vibrations. The real purpose is to listen to AUM vibrations eminating from every object.
Every object is 3-tiered. So AUM should be uttered but awareness should be of vibrations. Hence, AUM should be uttered aloud, almost full throated, to be followed by AUM in a whisper and in the end silently in the mind. Initially we hear an echo or auditory impression of our voice. But sustain with patience and you will hear AUM from everywhere, your inner self, to begin with.
Where AUM originates? In each atom of each object of matter.
[QUOTE=Surya Deva;80022]Yes, the “mmm” part takes place when the mouth is closed. However, the “mmm” part is the shortest part of the OM sound. Your ratio should be 3:2:1; the “Aoooo” should be twice as long as longer as the “uuuuuuu” and three times as longer as the “mmmm”[/QUOTE]
Where does this infomation come from? In India I had a yoga teacher (who was also a monk) and he tought me that for correct vibration “mmm” should take a half time of the OM sound. So what is the right way to chant OM?
[QUOTE=toksen;80041]Where does this infomation come from? In India I had a yoga teacher (who was also a monk) and he tought me that for correct vibration “mmm” should take a half time of the OM sound. So what is the right way to chant OM?[/QUOTE]
Different teachers and traditions will prescribe different ways. Try them all out and see which one produces the best effect for you.
In general most teachers I know say the Aum sound should be in a ratio of 3:2:1. As the aum sounds follows the natural opening to closing of the mouth. At “Aooooo” the mouth is open, as the mouth begins to close it forms “uuuuu” and when it closes completely it forms “mmmmm” which is short and silent.
Although holding the “mmmm” sound produces more vibrations in the head, the aim of the aum chanting is not to produce vibrations in the head, it is to reproduce in microcosm the natural sound of the universe which brings about creation and dissolution. This is why it is said that Brahma governs the “Aoooo” aspect because it is the beginning, Vishnu governs the “uuuuuu” sound because it the intern and Shiva governs the “mmmm” sound because it is the end. In short: creation, preservation and destruction. The beginning is the longest period, the intern is shorter; the end the shortest. This mimks Hindu cosmology that pralaya or dissolution happens quickly(It takes less time to destroy something than to create it!) Hence, why the “mmmmm” sound should be the shortest and almost silent.
As you chant the AUM ideate on its meaning as the primordial sound of creation. Imagine the beginning of the sound as the universe being created, the middle of the sound as the universe existing for a while and the end of the sound as the universe being dissolved. This is a powerful visualization technique which fully brings out the meaning of the OM sound and takes it beyond just being an exercise, but actually put you in touch with the actual AUM sound resonating in the universe.
As Suhas said start by chanting AUM aloud, then bring it gradually down to a whisper and then to silent mental contemplation.
Thanks everyone for the information.
I suppose I didn’t make my question very clear… I’m wondering about [U]the light touching of the teeth during the “mmmm” part of the practice[/U]. It imparts [B]much more vibration [/B]through the skull and neck as the bones are able to vibrate more. I’m curious to know if this may actually be beneficial? Or maybe not so?
[QUOTE=StillOne;80064]Thanks everyone for the information.
I suppose I didn’t make my question very clear… I’m wondering about [U]the light touching of the teeth during the “mmmm” part of the practice[/U]. It imparts [B]much more vibration [/B]through the skull and neck as the bones are able to vibrate more. I’m curious to know if this may actually be beneficial? Or maybe not so?[/QUOTE]
Although holding the “mmmm” sound produces more vibrations in the head, the aim of the aum chanting is not to produce vibrations in the head, it is to reproduce in microcosm the natural sound of the universe which brings about creation and dissolution.
