cultural connections
Have you ever seen the symbol in the middle of the shamrock at left? This is the symbol for what is commonly written in English letters as “OM.” While it is one symbol and syllable, it is also the combination of three different sounds, transliterated in the Sanskrit language as A, U, and M, the letters you see on the three leaves of the shamrock at left summarizing the lessons that make up this unit of instruction.
The symbol encompassing these three sounds in Devanagari, the script of Sanskrit, is what you see in the middle of the shamrock. It is a combination of the three symbols for these sounds, as demonstrated in this Flash animation. |
How do you pronounce OM?
The pronunciation of AUM is the natural opening and closing of the mouth, with “a,” sounding like the short “u” in English, being the most primal sound that comes out of one’s mouth when it is opened and air is expelled. As one begins to close the lips, the primal “a” becomes more like “oo,” as in “boo,” transliterated in Sanskrit as “u.”
What word do you get when you say the word “Boo,” then close your lips? It is the same with AUM. The third part of AUM, the little dot on top, is called Anusvara and is a way of closing a sound by closing the lips entirely. As one closes the mouth, there is a vibration of the lips and the sound “mmm.” Together, these three sounds constitute what is generally considered by Hindus to be the holy syllable, the vibration that permeates and encompasses the universe.
The pronunciation of AUM is the natural opening and closing of the mouth, with “a,” sounding like the short “u” in English, being the most primal sound that comes out of one’s mouth when it is opened and air is expelled. As one begins to close the lips, the primal “a” becomes more like “oo,” as in “boo,” transliterated in Sanskrit as “u.”
What word do you get when you say the word “Boo,” then close your lips? It is the same with AUM. The third part of AUM, the little dot on top, is called Anusvara and is a way of closing a sound by closing the lips entirely. As one closes the mouth, there is a vibration of the lips and the sound “mmm.” Together, these three sounds constitute what is generally considered by Hindus to be the holy syllable, the vibration that permeates and encompasses the universe.
Illustrating the concept
The graphic at left, inspired by this Flash animation from Om Shanti Mandiram, is just one of many interpretations of how the “sacred syllable” encompasses all aspects of life. Art, Utterances (literature), and Music are often considered the highest expressions or manifestations of the divine within human beings. What do you see in each part of this graphic, and how does each part represent just one aspect of the whole?
In the Bible, too, we hear of a word at the origin of the universe: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Just as the A, U, and M are inseparable when blended as the syllable OM, the “Word” (widely interpreted by Christians to mean Jesus Christ) was One with God. To Christians, AUM is “Amen,” and to Muslims it is “Amin”—with only the ending sound as a distinguishing factor. There are many interpretations and modifications of these sounds and their transcendental union. |
St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, is well-known for using the shamrock as a visual to explain the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Although there are three distinct leaves, the shamrock is one plant, connected by the same stem. We don’t see the leaves and think of them as separate; rather, we see them as one plant.
In both Hinduism and Christianity, there is a trinity of divinity, demonstrating three aspects of God or the Absolute that, together, constitute a whole—as with the three leaves of the shamrock. The following graphics illustrate the similarities between the Catholic Trinity (left) and the Hindu Trimurti (right). Just as a triangle is made up of three sides, Catholics and Hindus believe that God is made up of three beings: the Father/Creator, the Son/Preserver, and the Holy Ghost/Transcender. These three beings overlap in the center of the Venn diagrams below to illustrate how they are not actually separate but rather all part of one God, or absolute reality. Reminiscent of the silver dollar graphic in our first lesson, this Flash animation illustrates how the three separate parts of AUM and the Hindu Trimurti come together to constitute a whole.
In both Hinduism and Christianity, there is a trinity of divinity, demonstrating three aspects of God or the Absolute that, together, constitute a whole—as with the three leaves of the shamrock. The following graphics illustrate the similarities between the Catholic Trinity (left) and the Hindu Trimurti (right). Just as a triangle is made up of three sides, Catholics and Hindus believe that God is made up of three beings: the Father/Creator, the Son/Preserver, and the Holy Ghost/Transcender. These three beings overlap in the center of the Venn diagrams below to illustrate how they are not actually separate but rather all part of one God, or absolute reality. Reminiscent of the silver dollar graphic in our first lesson, this Flash animation illustrates how the three separate parts of AUM and the Hindu Trimurti come together to constitute a whole.
OM: One God, Many Names: The Catholic Trinity and the Hindu Trimurti
In Chinese philosophy, and particularly Taoism, there is a symbol that represents nonduality called the yin yang. This is what you see in the banner of all web pages in this unit. The yin yang represents the dynamic balance of all things; in Chinese, the term “yang” refers to sunlight in the daytime, and “yin” is the lack of sunlight at night. You can’t have one without the other, as light would lose its meaning without darkness, and vice versa.
Your project
Now it's your turn to be creative! In this lesson, we discussed concepts and symbols from three major religions/philosophies: Christianity, Hinduism, and Taoism. Are you familiar with any of these religions? Would you like to learn more about any of them?
CHOOSE ONE of the following three projects to complete for this lesson:
CHOOSE ONE of the following three projects to complete for this lesson:
- Write a personal narrative about your experience with Christianity, Hinduism, Taoism, or any other religion/faith. Mention in your narrative whether or not the concept of nonduality or oneness with a higher force/power (i.e., God) came into play in your experience.
- Write a letter to someone belonging to one of the religions we explored in this lesson (Christianity, Hinduism, or Taoism). Ask questions regarding their core beliefs and any aspects of the religion you would like to learn more about. Be sure to mention what you learned regarding their faith’s connection with the concept of nonduality.
- Create your own graphic related to any of the concepts explored in this lesson. This could be another interpretation of the components of AUM, a different take on the trinity, a meaningful stylization of the yin yang, or any other illustration approved by your instructor.
Extension Activity
In this lesson, we viewed a Flash animation (click on the double arrow shown at right) illustrating the parts of AUM. There are many other interpretations of these three sounds as part of a greater whole. Think back on Lesson 1 and the first graphic we examined—the silver dollar composed of four quarters.
Here is an interpretation that uses the same analogy of the dollar, but ties the four quarters to the four states of consciousness: waking, dreaming, deep sleep (dreamless), and bliss. Read the following interpretation and research these terms and ideas. Then write a reflection on what you learned, citing at least three credible sources. |
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The mind, just like a mudra (dollar), has four quarters. These four quarters are the parts (or states) of the mind, but the mind itself is whole.
- The first quarter is the first state, the waking state, or Jagrat, where we simply perceive the physical world around us.
- The second quarter is the second state, which represents the dream state, or Swapna. Here the first quarter merges into the second quarter and becomes a half-dollar (shown as a coin at left).
- The third quarter represents deep (dreamless) sleep, or Sushupti, the absence of knowledge of “reality.” It transcends the physical world and enters a cosmic realm.
- In the fourth quarter the mind leaves the physical world, and all its mass of ideas melts away. The mind becomes pure and is able to concentrate and meditate with full concentration. Here the mind enters into the fourth state of Turiya (bliss), which is silence and no sound. This makes the mudra whole.