Aum (or in Hebrew/Christian tradition, AMEN ) is that primal sound from which all language and creation emerge. Time – past, present and future are contained within it. All alphabetical sounds are represented and encompassed by it. The ‘A’ is guttural, ‘U’ is labial and ‘M’ nasal in articulation – all three being the absolute physical parameters of any possibility of speech and sound.

This AUM, is the substratum of all sound and vibrational possibility, is called the Pranava Mantra. It is a great liberating vibration and the study and practice of its sound and inner meaning is a great meditation in itself.

The Mantra AUM is also called Taraka – or the sacred power of Deliverance. It is also the esoteric mantra of the Hindu and Buddhist Goddess Tara – the second of the ten great Goddesses in the path called Sri Vidya. Goddess Tara has sometimes been depicted as a beautiful female steering a boat. This is analogous of Her power in ferrying one across the ocean of Temporal Existence to the other shore of Spiritual Liberation.

The recitation of AUM has a toning and balancing effect on the physical, mental and emotional bodies. As one meditates on the Primal Sound, higher harmonics or octaves may be heard. To the meditator, they may sound like high pitched whistles which arrest the mind and transfer the attention to the higher levels of being within.

The recitation of AUM has a toning and balancing effect on the physical, mental and emotional bodies. As one meditates on the Primal Sound, higher harmonics or octaves may be heard. To the meditator, they may sound like high pitched whistles which arrest the mind and transfer the attention to the higher levels of being within.

The Vibration of Mantra is most potent when the sound, the meaning and the practitioner become one. According to Vedic and Tantrik tradition, through constant repetition, either aloud or mentally, the practitioner transcends the universal laws of cause and effect ie transmigration or reincarnation.

From AUM, literally hundreds of thousands of mantras or divine vibrations have emerged. Ancient Vedic seers have spontaneously experienced their arising with a perfect understanding of their meaning and impact.

It is for this reason that each mantra is associated with a sage or rishi who initially revealed it to the world. It is also connected to a deity or subtle being, of which the mantra is considered to be the very sound form. Within the mantra is the bijakshara or seed of power, which releases its specific potency.

“Usually, the mantra is imparted to the seeker by an adept”. This is called Diksha or initiation. Traditionally the adept has realised the power or shakti of the mantra through protracted discipline and recitation.

The number of recitations is determined by the number of syllables within the mantra. Very often the recitation maybe 100, 200, 300 or even 500,000 over a specified period of time. This is called puracsharana – and is a powerful way of releasing the immense power latent in the sound.

When given directly to the seeker it is called Chaitanya, conscious or ‘alive’. In other words, the adept having practiced and realised the power within the vibration has brought conscious power to it. When the mantra is given by a genuine adept, there is no doubt about its impact and effect. It is usually immediate, transformative and permanent in its action.