AUM: A Sacred Bridge to Consciousness and the Meaning Behind the Symbol
AUM: A Sacred Bridge to Consciousness & the Meaning Behind the Symbol
At Sense Greater Peace, we honour the wisdom held in sacred sounds and symbols—guiding lights that help us reconnect with something deeper. And among them, AUM (ॐ) is like a cosmic key, unlocking layers of awareness, inviting us to pause, breathe, and remember who we are beyond the noise of everyday life.
But what does AUM truly mean? And how does it shape our understanding of consciousness?
This guide is an invitation to explore the depths of AUM—its resonance with our states of awareness, the story held in its curves and lines, and how you can bring its vibration into your daily life to feel more present, more at ease, and more connected to the vastness of your own being.
AUM & The Three States of Consciousness
AUM is more than a sound—it’s a vibration that holds the entire experience of being alive. It represents three fundamental states of awareness that are always moving through us, whether we realise it or not. When we chant AUM, we aren’t just making a sound—we’re aligning with the very rhythm of existence.
A – The Waking State (Jagrat)
The sound “Aaaah” vibrates deep in the belly, connecting us to the physical world.
This is where we engage with life through our senses—seeing, hearing, touching, doing.
It’s the space of action, movement, and experiencing life in its most tangible form.
U – The Dreaming State (Swapna)
The sound “Oooo” moves through the chest and throat, softening us into the inner world.
Here, imagination and intuition unfold. It’s where we dream, create, and sense the world beyond logic.
This is the space between waking and sleeping, where ideas form, emotions flow, and we start to feel more than we think.
M – The Deep Sleep State (Sushupti)
The sound “Mmmm” hums through the head, wrapping us in stillness.
This is the state of deep rest, where we let go of thoughts, identities, and external distractions.
It’s the space of trust, surrender, and pure being—where everything dissolves into unity.
The Silence Beyond (Turiya)
And then… silence. After the chant, a quiet moment lingers—the space between sound and no-sound. This is Turiya, the fourth state, where awareness expands beyond thought. It’s the stillness where everything and nothing exists all at once. Some call it pure consciousness. Others call it home.
The Symbol of AUM: A Visual Map of Consciousness
AUM isn’t just a sound—it’s also a symbol, rich with meaning. Every curve, dot, and line tells a story about the journey of awareness.
The Lower Curve (A - Waking State): Represents our engagement with the external world—the doing, the seeing, the physical. The Middle Curve (U - Dreaming State): Symbolises the in-between space of dreams, emotions, and deeper knowing.
The Upper Curve (M - Deep Sleep State): Reflects the stillness of deep rest, where the mind dissolves into pure potential.
The Crescent & Dot (Turiya - Infinite Awareness): The crescent shape represents illusion (Maya)—the veil that keeps us feeling separate. The dot above? That’s Turiya, the vast awareness beyond all limitations. It’s a gentle reminder that peace is always there, just beyond the noise.
Bringing AUM into Your Practice
If AUM speaks to you, let it become a part of your rhythm. You don’t need to chant perfectly—just let the vibration move through you and notice what shifts. Here are a few ways to bring AUM into your day:
Morning Awakening: Start the day with three rounds of AUM to set a tone of clarity and connection.
Meditation Anchor: Let AUM be your guide in stillness—chant slowly, feeling each vibration in your body.
Evening Unwind: Use AUM before sleep, allowing its resonance to soften the day and guide you into rest.
When you chant, picture the AUM symbol. Feel its meaning in your body. Let it be more than just a sound—let it be a remembering.
Final Thought: AUM as the Sound of Wholeness
AUM is not about perfection—it’s about presence. It holds space for every part of you: the thinking, the feeling, the resting, and the knowing beyond words. It reminds us that we are not separate from the universe—we are the universe, vibrating, expanding, and returning home to ourselves over and over again.
I’d love to hear how AUM feels for you.
Do you sense it more in your body, your mind, or in the silence that follows?
Try chanting and let me know what you discover. Let’s explore together.
With warmth,
Sue xxx
Have you ever wondered why the ‘Mmmm’ of AUM feels so powerful?
In our next blog, we’ll explore how humming bee breath (Bhramari) can amplify your AUM practice, calm your nervous system, and deepen your meditative state. Stay tuned!
See you next time
Sue xxx
