The Meaning and Symbolism of OM (3): How to chant OM to deepen our concentration!

In a previous post we explored the meaning of the word OM, and its reference to accross religions.As a next step we find out how to "chant OM" to deepen our concentration and also explore if  each of its pronounced syllables (AUM) signify something special? Read this  enclosed  excerpt to find out.
The following article elaborating on the meaning of OM(pages 38 to 41) is an extract from the immensely popular, short book "Vedic Symbols" by Shriram Sharma Acharya. The book references  a lot of research by Western scholars and experts engaged in the study of Yoga. A link to this book is present at the end of the article.(Wherever possible I have inserted links available on the web to validate the writers and researchers quoted in this article).

Quoted text:
OM is a way of deepening the concentration of the mind, which in turn leads to realization of the divine. This mantra maybe sounded aloud, whispered, or repeatedly enunciated mentally. The correct pronunciation of 'OM' is to pronounce it with a certain rhythm so that the "au" (O) sound is blown out and the "m"(m) sound is reverberated within. 

There are many Western authors and researchers who have extensively studied the practice on "OM". Steven Surgess,  offers a technique for chanting OM in his book; The Yoga Book. He suggests "begin meditation by chanting "OM" aloud  for ten minutes, then chant " OM" in a whisper for the next ten minutes, finally be still and meditate on the spiritual eye ( the point between your eyebrows deep inside the forehead). Surrender into the vibrations of OM ...feel your awareness expanding still further into the field of pure consciousness, become one with OM".

John Schumacher an expert on Yoga and mental well being states that while chanting OM we begin with our mouths wide open and gradually close our lips as the sound progresses, we transition physically as well as mentally from projecting ourselves into the material outer world to redirecting ourselves into the sublime world of the inner self.

The Significance of "OM" (2) : Om and the Big Bang Theory of Creation

 In this article we explore how to chant OM as well as the meaning and significance of each syllable of OM ( ie A.U..M). In  previous posts on this blog  we have explored the Meaning of the word OM, and its reference accross religions of the world.

Now its time to explore the subject of Science and God and the significance of OM in the Origin Of The Universe. The following explanation of OM and its relevance to The Big Bang Theory  is an adapted excerpt from page 36-38, of the Book 'Vedic Symbols' authored by Shriram Sharma Acharya,

Quoted Text :

"The Tao of Physics" is a popular book that explores the  parallels between Modern Physics and Eastern Mysticism. It was authored  by Fritjof Capra, and was a bestseller in 1975. It was first published  in the United States and since then has been published in 43 editions in 23 languages. The book presents intriguing parallels between Yogic philosophy and Western Science and concentrates on the discussing  the Origins and nature of the Universe.
In another book by an Eastern author called the  "Light on the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali"  Mr. B.K.S. Iyengar, states that -"Sound is vibration, which as modern science tells us, is the source of all creation". If we marry the writings of the East with scientific validations from the West we can safely state that, contemporary scientific explanation of the creation of the universe seems to point in the same direction that the Eastern Philosophers stated in their writings. (That Om is the sound that is referred to as the "Music of Creation")

These explanations of the West are in absolute sync with what Yogic philosophy teaches us. In this context let us discuss what  Washington Post staff writer, Kathy Sawyer had presented as an interesting review of the research findings of astrophysicists under the title "Calculating Contents of Cosmos".
The newspaper article highlighted the current theory, that the Universe is primarily  made up of stuff that astronomers called "dark matter" and dark energy. Only 4.5% is ordinary matter. Ordinary matter is described by the author as "all the shining stars and galaxies, plus people, computers, cats and so on..." It further stated that , "Three independent teams of astronomers yesterday presented the most precise measurements to date of the infant Universe..., exposing telltale reverberations they called the music of creation......The research teams  reached back across time and space to take precise readings of light emitted about 4,00,000 years after the Big Bang explosion that gave birth to the Universe". The article quoted John Carlstrom of the University of Chicago as saying, "We're looking back as far as you can go with light- 14 billion years, or roughly the age of the Universe....In a sense the ancient knowledge allows us to see sound early in the Universe."

Indeed "Om" is the sound realized by the Vedic Indian Rishis( ancient Sages, seers and Yogis) through their highly evolved meditative powers( powers of the inner eye). The same data is now being confirmed by modern science with the help of high tech telescopes, observatories and super telescopes and the same "Om" sound is now being referred to as "the music of creation".

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A note on the author Acharya Shriram Sharma:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shriram_Sharma
Link to the Book "Vedic Symbols":

http://www.scribd.com/doc/102487653/94186672-Vedic-Symbols-By-Shriram-Sharma-Acharya
Other Texts referenced in the above article:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tao_of_Physics

http://kathysawyer.com/

The Meaning of OM (Part 1) : The Reference To OM Across Religions

The enclosed article tells us about the meaning of OM, and many other  interesting facts about Om (Aum)-like its origin, and its reference in some form or the other across almost all religions of the world. 
The enclosed article is an adapted and abbreviated excerpt from Chapter 4 of the very popular book, Vedic Symbols authored by Shriram Sharma Acharya the 21st century sage and spiritual scientist of modern times. Shriram Sharma Acharya's  contribution towards the convergence of science and religion is immeasurable.

Quoted Text:

‘‘Om’’ is the cosmic sound ever present in the Universe. Its physical manifestation in sonic vibrations has existed forever. Physical perception of this sound is described to be similar to what one would hear from the resonant notes of the tinkling vibrations of a big gong struck by a wooden hammer in a consistent manner.