A-U-M or OM

One of the ISHTA meditation practices includes humming or chanting "Aahh" then "Uooo" then "Mmmm". These are the component sounds of "OM," which is also chanted for devotion and meditation, though I rarely use it that way. So I thought I'd give it a try and compare the two.

This week, I lead the A-U-M practice as I normally teach it. Next week, I'll lead us through a version chanting OM, instead of the component parts. Try one or both practices and let me know -- do you prefer one? If noticeably different for you, how so?

Or just practice and let it be what it is. Enjoy!
 
Listen to "Ep 507 - A-U-M chanting meditation" on Spreaker.
 

What’s in this episode of Everyday Meditation?

• Welcome + getting situated, with a few thoughts on chanting with A-U-M vs OM
• A little lead-in movement: 90/90 pigeon
• Breathing practice: Long exhale
• Meditation technique (awareness kriya): A-U-M (chanting)
• A little re-grounding movement: Reclining knock knees

As always, I encourage you to make yourself at home in this practice: substitute, modify, do as you need to feel safe and present, including taking breaks!

Integration suggestion

After listening to the episode, perhaps check in: did you notice something that you want to carry with you? If yes, maybe jot it down in a notebook or record a voice memo to help you remember!

PS

"Om" is referred to as the "universal sound" and in the Hindu religion universal sound would also be the divine sound. In western yoga classes, it's practice both with or without deference to its history and context. I would saying I fall in the latter camp, having little knowledge of its religious purpose nor much capacity to wrap my head around there being one universal sound. I leave it to you whether to say or chant OM or A-U-M as you deem sound and right for you.

 
Be moving, be true, be you

 
 

photo credit zac bromell, found on unsplash

Making the sounds of A-U-M kriya can be deeply soothing to your nervous system --all the more so when you think about the role your breathing plays.
 

What’s in this episode?

AUM kriya meditation! In this version, I invite you to imagine your "breath" in different locations in your torso -- lower, middle, and upper thirds. This is so we can imagine the sounds "Ahh" "Ooo" and "Mmm" as originating both from the breath and from these areas of the torso. It's maybe not as weird as it sounds in writing 😉

How can you use this practice?

If making sound is not something you think about, but just do, this practice may help you bring some intention into your chanting. And I find the meditation practice very grounding - good for when you feel less than steady in your body or mind.
 

Give it a try when you're ready

 
Listen to "Ep 483 - Breathing Sound and AUM Meditation".
 
Be moving, be true,

 
 

photo credit artur luckza on unsplash

Esther's Everyday Meditation Podcast. Episode #384 with AUM kriya, grounding meditation practice.
Photo by v2osk on Unsplash

EVERYDAY MEDITATION PODCAST: EPISODE #384

Listen to "Ep 384 - AUM Kriya Meditation with grounding talk" on Spreaker.

What’s in this episode?
I guide you through a version of the AUM Kriya meditation practice. I start out sharing a few minutes on how AUM can be a "grounding" meditation practice, and what "grounding" even means!

After my chit chat, we dive right into the practice. if you want some detailed instructions first, listen to "how to practice AUM kriya"!

Back up, what does "grounding" mean?
Heh. Different things in different contexts. Listen to the episode to hear what I think it means here!

Ready to practice AUM kriya?

I hope you'll try AUM kriya. And, as always, if you do, I'd love to hear about your experience. Click on the bar below to drop me a line.

Practicing with you,

share your meditation experience + questions