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OM, ॐ or AUM (pranava) refers to Atman (soul, self within) and Brahman (ultimate reality, truth, divine, supreme spirit, cosmic principles).
OM is a mantra. Its meaning slightly differs depending on how it is used. First of all OM is a sound symbol for God or Divinity. Just like cross is a physical symbol for Christ, OM is also a symbol, but it is in a sound form. OM is used as a sound during meditation practice. You chant OM and listen to it. Here it is used just as a soothing sound. OM also means “Everything together” as in Infinity.
OM is made up of 3 letters followed by silence; (In Sanskrit; breathing pattern is explained) A (expel air from stomach area) + U (expel air from the chest region) + M (think like you are expelling air from your mind and mouth) + silence (a brief breathless period). AUM stands for beginning, middle and end + silence.
Other reading material: Yoga Sutra 1.27 , What is AUṀ? , The Significance of ॐ: A Linguistic and Philosophical Analysis
Relevant videos:
Contributor: Dr. Jyoti Lulla
Location of this post (23a): https://www.hinduspeakers.org/ufaqs/om-what-does-it-mean/
Category:
23. Yoga and Meditation