Meditation on OM: Relevance from ancient texts and contemporary science.

The sacred syllable Om, described in Indian scriptures as the primordial sound from which all creation emerges, signifies the Supreme Power. Drawing from four Upanisads, the Bhagavad Gita, and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, the article examines Om's significance. Autonomic and respiratory studies suggest that mental repetition of Om produces a combination of mental alertness with physiological rest. Evoked potentials studies indicate a decrease in sensory transmission time at the level of the auditory association cortices, along with recruitment of more neurons at mesencephalic-diencephalic levels. Scientific studies suggest that Om meditation results in physiological alertness and increased sensitivity to sensory transmission.

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Abstract

In Indian scriptures the sacred syllable Om is the primordial sound from which all other sounds and creation emerge which signifies the Supreme Power. To explore the significance of the syllable OM from ancient texts and effects of OM meditation in contemporary science. DESCRIPTIONS FROM ANCIENT TEXTS: The descriptions of Om have been taken from four Upanisads (Mundaka, Mandukya, Svetasvatara, and Katha), the Bhagvad Gita, and Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. SCIENTIFIC STUDIES ON OM: Autonomic and respiratory studies suggest that there is a combination of mental alertness with physiological rest during the practice of Om meditation. Evoked potentials studies suggest a decrease in sensory transmission time at the level of the auditory association cortices, along with recruitment of more neurons at mesencephalic-diencephalic levels. It is considered that a person who realizes Om, merges with the Absolute. Scientific studies on Om suggest that the mental repetition of Om results in physiological alertness, and increased sensitivity to sensory transmission.