How to Chant Om Properly

"Om" (sounds like “home” without the “h”) is the most sacred sound in the universe. Many mystics believe that om is the sound of creation, that God vibrated the world into existence with the sound of om. This sound is considered so sacred that most Tibetan and Buddhist chants begin with om. Many spiritual teachers believe that you can create whatever you want in life simply by chanting om. There is a right way and a wrong way to chant this sacred sound of creation.

Instructions

1. Decide what you want to achieve with your om practice. Many people chant om just for spiritual sustenance; others chant it just because it makes them feel good; still others chant it just because they have a particular need they would like fulfilled. Although you do not have to spell out every detail of what you want to achieve, it is best if you go into your om practice with a certain outcome in mind.

2. Decide how many days to continue your om practice. Although there are no hard and fast rules, many people find that they get better results if they vow to continue their om practice for a set number of days, every day, at the same time of day. Many people choose either a 40-day or a 60-day discipline for their om practice.

3. Get up at sunrise on the first day of your om practice. Mystics consider sunrise to be one of the most powerful times of the day.

4. Go to a room where you will not be disturbed for at least 20 minutes. Dim the lights. Sit down in a comfortable chair, keeping your spine straight. Close your eyes and clear your head.

5. Slowly inhale, completely filling your lungs.

6. Slowly exhale, saying “om” as you release your breath. In essence, you are exhaling om. When you have almost come to the end of your exhale, close your mouth and hum the “m” of om until the sound fades away with your breath. As you exhale om, visualize your dreams materializing.

7. Slowly inhale again, then exhale om. Continue in this manner for 20 minutes.

Tips & Warnings

• Although chanting om at sunrise is preferable, you can chant it at any time. But is is important that you chant this at about the same time every day.