What does Aum mean?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#32

Holy Trinity:

[QUOTE=Surya Deva;61265]They are all three different people in one.[/QUOTE]

Trimurti:

[QUOTE=Surya Deva;61265]Three different functions which emanate from him[/QUOTE]
As I’ve read the stories, that’s all I see. Maybe I see that because I’m not attached to Christianity or Hinduism being right. I just see the incredible similarities if I look past the way the message is conveyed and instead feel the message.

As such, in my (unattached to christian or hindu beliefs) opinion, oak33 speaking in terms of the Holy Trinity and Aum is fine because he views the world through the eyes of a christian and that’s how he makes sense of the world. You speaking of Aum in hindu terms and referring to how it symbolized Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva is also fine considering your background.

The stories may be somewhat different, but I can find [B]the same feeling that is trying to be conveyed in each[/B]. When you’re not attached, it’s easier to see and both means of conveyance are beautiful.

It’s not chalk and cheese, they’re two signposts written in different languages pointing to the same destination.

edit I’ve edited the thread title to be a little more descriptive.

#33

Well, if you try to see something Hindu with the eyes of a Christian you are not going to see it. Similarly, a Hindu is not going to see something Christian with the eyes of a Hindu.
If we want to be honest with ourselves we are going to see something as it is meant to be seen, and not how we want to see it, else we are going to have misunderstandings. Unfortunately, this is what always happens in intercultural dialogue. A Christian scholar saw Kali with the eyes of a Christian and he was terrified seeing her terrible form with a necklace of dismembered heads, a bloody tongue and an assortment of weapons. He concluded with his Christian eyes that Kali was a demonic goddess. Had the Christian seen it with the eyes of a Hindu he would understand what it represents: It represents the conquest over the ego and the destruction of vice. It represents the terrible form mother nature can take on to vanquish evil.

AUM has nothing to do with the holy ghost and a basic search online would show this. However, if a comparison must be drawn to Christianity, the notion of LOGOS is similar to Aum - “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with god, and the word was god”

#34

[QUOTE=Surya Deva;61251]Dear IA,

I actually have respect for you and this comment of yours was disappointing to say the least. You claim:

You clearly are not saying anything about the human condition here. You are referring to Hindus on this forum and are saying they are suffocated by their belief system. This is clear because you are endorsing and praising a comment by cydthra who is making a criticism of Hindu members.

In any case out of my long term respect for you I am willing to overlook this comment.[/QUOTE]

And you are entitled to your opinion and position. I have, as always, used great care in my posting, vetted my process, and posted in earnest without malice AND I don’t crave nor need validation from the community to be comfortable in my position. Only I know my intentions and my frame of reference.

#35

As such, in my (unattached to christian or hindu beliefs) opinion

It is not about attachment. If I want to look up the meaning of a medical term I look in a medical encyclopedia, not in the encyclopedia of Art History. When somebody has a question about a medical problem, he will go to the doctor, not to the art historian. It is as simple as that.

#36

[QUOTE=Sarvamaṅgalamaṅgalā;61317]It is not about attachment. If I want to look up the meaning of a medical term I look in a medical encyclopedia, not in the encyclopedia of Art History. When somebody has a question about a medical problem, he will go to the doctor, not to the art historian. It is as simple as that.[/QUOTE]
Your analogy is a little off. If someone has a medical problem, based upon their belief systems, they will go to a western medical doctor, an ayurvedic doctor, a shaman, acupuncturist, or any other number of modalities. Some of us might see the value of each and visit various doctors for their own specialties at different times since we understand each works in slightly different ways to take us to the same ultimate goal.

Of course, the other day I went to an acupuncturist who was terrible. So don’t go to an acupuncturist, they’re ALL terrible, have no idea what they’re doing, will harm you, and there is no way in hell they can bring you to a place of health. If you speak highly of them, you’re an idiot and trying to take people away from the other true modalities where they can actually be cured. Maybe I should create a medical forum so we can all argue about the best way to heal and how it’s NADIS, not MERIDIANS.

#37

Nadis and Meridians come from the same categorical framework of dharma. These terms can be used interchangably, as can prana/chi/ki. However, if you want to be precise, then it is better to use the original Sanskrit terms as therein you will find more developed systems. It is important to remain connected to the source tradition from where these concepts originate from, else you are likely to misunderstand things.

Hinduism is the only religion where you will find spirituality developed to the level of a science.

#38

You may very well be correct. But what I know, is that even if you ARE correct, most people that follow other religions will NOT change.

I understand your frustration. I know that I am correct about humanity needing to move towards sustainability. But what I realize is that people will NOT change and give up the lifestyles they live now.

It’s hard for me to reconcile that. Do I hate the people who are unwilling to change? Do I try and force them to change? Do I go on a rampage and take out as many as I can? They’re destroying the earth. Do I sit idly by and let that happen?

In many ways, I do exactly what you do. I try and bring them awareness and try to work towards what I know is right. Because as of yet, I don’t know what else to do. Maybe that’s part of the reason you don’t bother me yet you drive others nuts. Because I feel you, braddah.

#39

Here is what will not work:

  1. Hate - There is no need to put ourselves in a negative state. It benefits nobody
  2. Violence - It will punish the wrong, but it will not make them any better.

Here is what will work:

  1. Campaigning - Through discussions and debates. Spreading the word and also through arguing against false belief systems. These approaches have been used by Emperor Ashoka to spread Buddhism and by Adisakarcharya to spread Advaita.

  2. Through example - If you become the living example of Yoga than your mere presence in the world ie enough to bring change. I do not mean by this that you simply practice Yoga, but rather you realise Yoga.

I have so far been doing 1. I am now in the process of moving to 2.

#40

From what I understand - the pranava is a name - given to the sound - which the Lord of this world (ISHVARA) uses as part of his work.

From what I understand - for the spiritual aspirant - the pranava is a very important object of study and contemplation.

#41

[QUOTE=Surya Deva;61343]Here is what will not work:

  1. Hate - There is no need to put ourselves in a negative state. It benefits nobody
  2. Violence - It will punish the wrong, but it will not make them any better.

Here is what will work:

  1. Campaigning - Through discussions and debates. Spreading the word and also through arguing against false belief systems. These approaches have been used by Emperor Ashoka to spread Buddhism and by Adisakarcharya to spread Advaita.

  2. Through example - If you become the living example of Yoga than your mere presence in the world ie enough to bring change. I do not mean by this that you simply practice Yoga, but rather you realise Yoga.

I have so far been doing 1. I am now in the process of moving to 2.[/QUOTE]

May fortune smile well upon you. You do much more good than you realize!

#42

AUM is DIVINITY IN SOUND.

It is the first bIjA mantrA which encapsulates the entire continuum of manifestation.

AUM is a HINDU symbol.

Funny to see some thieves try to sneak in some Abrahamic (asuric) interpretation on AUM. Exactly why mlecchas should not be allowed to practice yOgA.

#43

mmmmmm . . . divinity in sound. That is beautiful.

#44

Hi forummembers

1987 I had an intimate encounter with the mantra AUM.

I was at an weeklong stay at an hotel in a western capital.It was the initation process into a tradition whith it’s root in the Indian tantric tradition. It was the experience of “Shaktipat”.‘Descent of grace’ with the medium of a Guru giving this kind of initiation which sets the kundalini free.

Suddenly my consciousness expanded to seem to hold the hall within itself.
Then I heard from within/without the sacred sound of AAAAAUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM… it just continued to what seemed to be an eternity without stop. It was the unstruck sound without end and beginning. I realized that this WAS eternal and ALWAYS within me at all times. Joy, gratitude and amazement that it was actually happening unsought.
I had just some years of not so deep yogatraining. having read about Vivekananda and other saints mentioned this mantra. Now it was real.

I have never heard it since then. But the experience transformed my faith in yoga and the path in an inevatible way that have kept me going during ebbs and lows of the sadhana.

I know that one is not suppose to reveal experiences like this, but doing sadhana alone in an environment where most people don’t understand this, and not on speaking terms regarding things like this make me glad that forums like this exists for likeminded people to share and exchange ideas and experiences.
Lets hope we all grow in the experience.

#45

Explanation of AUM and Christ Consciousness

Paramahansa Yogananda-Metaphysical Meditations

The comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said to you (John 14:26)

These Biblical words refer to the threefold nature of God as Father, Son, Holy Ghost
(Sat, Tat, Aum in the Hindu scriptures).

God the Father is the Absolute, Unmanifested, existing BEYOND vibratory creation.
God the Son is the Christ Consciousness existing WITHIN vibratory creation; this
Christ Consciousness is the only begotten or sole reflection of the Uncreated Infinite.

The outward manifestation of the omnipresent Christ Consciousness, its witness
Revelation 3:14) is AUM (OM), the WORD or HOLY GHOST:invisible divine power, the only doer, the sole causative and activating force that upholds all creation through vibration. AUM the blissful comforter is heard in meditation and reveals to the devotee
the ultimate TRUTH, bringing all things to your remembrance.

Note: I posted this before.

#46

Clearly, yoga transcends far beyond any dogma or doctrine, universally devoid of any such limitations of nationality, culture, religion, or species. Its scope and era of applicability is commensurate with the whole of Om = presently, infinitely +/- and all that exist beyond and between.

#47

Clearly, yoga transcends far beyond any dogma or doctrine, universally devoid of any such limitations of nationality, culture, religion, or species

dogma or doctrine

No matter how you look at it, ancient Indian metaphysics form the basis of yoga practice.

nationality

Correct, the nationality on your passport is not an important influence on your yoga practice.

culture

Not really, yoga itself is linked to certain practices which are part of culture. Certain type of cultures are simply not compatible with a yogic way of living. Like sex, drugs and rock & roll culture. Although people in the west who don’t know what yoga really is might think otherwise.

religion

It doesn’t fit into all religious models and is intimitely connected to Bharata Dharma, while not compatible with abrahamic religions at all.

or species

LOL :eek:

But the question was about the meaning of AUM which is simply not defined outside the sacred literature of Bharata Dharma.

#48

Yogananda was reinterpreting Hinduism to win over Christian converts.

Looks like it worked :wink:

#49

[QUOTE=Surya Deva;61454]Yogananda was reinterpreting Hinduism to win over Christian converts.

Looks like it worked ;)[/QUOTE]
Yes, he was trying to reinterpretate both Hinduism AND Christianity. He also wrote a commentary on the Bible, but his interpretation is not accepted within Christianity. Basically, it’s neo-Hinduism repackaged for former Christians.

#50

That Amen can be associated with OM is found in Sri Yukteshwhar’s work Kaivalya Darshanam with his own commentary. Sri Yukteshwar was Yogananda’s guru. So as far as I know such associations have been propagated to a large extent by yogis in this Kriya Yoga tradition.

Philippe

#51

[QUOTE=Philippe*;61456]That Amen can be associated with OM is found in Sri Yukteshwhar’s work Kaivalya Darshanam with his own commentary. Sri Yukteshwar was Yogananda’s guru. So as far as I know such associations have been propagated to a large extent by yogis in this Kriya Yoga tradition.

Philippe[/QUOTE]

Yes, but this didn’t started until the 18th century when neo-Hindu reformers like Rammohan Roy had a huge impact on Indian society. In the colonial period, a lot of reformers started to move away from traditional Hindu ideas and started adopting from Islam and Christianity. This is when certain sects emerged who rejected idol worship and started leaning more towards a form of monotheism copied from the abrahamic religions. One such neo-Hindu reformer, named Swami Dayananda actually threw his Hatha Yoga texts in the ganges, because he couldn’t find the chakras after dissecting a human body. In this period it had become a fashion to start rejecting Indian wisdom and to replace it with ideologies from Christianity and Islam in certain circles.