Om is often called the primordial sound—the first vibration from which all of creation arises. In Hindu philosophy, it's seen not just as a sound but as the root of the universe itself. When we chant Om, we’re aligning with the original rhythm of existence, tuning in to something timeless and cosmic.
The Om symbol itself is full of meaning. It’s made up of three curves, a semicircle, and a dot. The large bottom curve represents the waking state (jāgrat)—our ordinary awareness. The middle curve stands for the dream state (svapna), and the upper curve symbolizes deep, dreamless sleep (suṣupti). The dot at the top is the bindu, representing pure consciousness or turiya—a state beyond all others. The semicircle below the dot is like a veil, symbolizing Māyā, the illusion that keeps us from realizing the truth. But the dot remains untouched. It’s always there, silently witnessing it all. This is what Om teaches: beneath all the changing states of mind, there is something eternal, still, and whole.
