Five main religions reverence the word OM, considering it both sacred and powerful: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, and New Age Spirituality. It is so celebrated in Hinduism that it has been chosen as the emblem of that religion (the only religion to have a word as its primary iconic symbol).
In Hinduism, OM is one of the most important spiritual sounds. This one-syllable word is often found at the beginning and the end of chapters in the Vedas, the Upanishads, and other Hindu texts. it is often chanted either independently or before other mantras, It is used as a sacred spiritual incantation made before and during the reciting of spiritual texts, during puja (a time of worship) and private prayers. It is also commonly used in ceremonial rites of passages, such as weddings, during meditation, and also, in spiritual activities such as yoga.
This one-syllable word is a considered a sacred symbol of Brahman, the impersonal Life-force that is ultimate reality in Hinduism. In fact, it is called the Shabda Brahman (Brahman as sound). So, it is considered to be “ultimate reality” in the form of a syllable-sound. It believed to be the primordial sound that accompanied the manifestation of the universe and is still resonating within it. So, chanting the word “OM” is an instant way of connecting with, and accessing, the origin of all things and experiencing conscious awareness of oneness with the universe.
ASSOCIATION WITH THREE PRIMARY DEITIES
When OM is chanted, it is often stretched into three elongated syllables—A—U—M. These represent the three chief deities at the head of the Hindu pantheon (called the Hindu Triad): Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Brahma is the creator-god, Vishnu is the preserver-god, and Shiva is the destroyer-god. The chanting of OM is, therefore, an invocation to these three gods to come and manifest supernaturally in the life and soul of the meditator.
When OM is chanted with the emphasis as one sound, it is a prayerful proclamation that the meditator intends to achieve a conscious awareness of oneness with Brahman, the Oversoul. For some Hindus (who believe in Advaita Vedanta) this involves the realization that atman (the individual soul) and Brahman (the Oversoul) are one and the same—in other words, human beings are God (based on a non-dualistic mindset).
In the Bhagavad Gita 9:17, Krishna is quoted as saying, “I am the purifier, the goal of knowledge, the sacred syllable OM.” So, Krishna devotees claim that he is the embodiment of the spiritual meaning and power associated with that word.
The guru I studied under in 1970 tried to validate this concept by referring to John 1:1:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
However, the Greek word logos, translated “word,” means the sum total of all the words and ways God has expressed Himself from the beginning to the end of the biblical revelation. Then of course, John 1:14 completes the concept:
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
So, Jesus and Jesus alone was and is the embodiment of all that God has ever spoken or ever will speak. He is “the Word”! This has nothing to do with a single syllable word in the Hindu language.
Other far eastern teachers tried to point out a similarity between the word “Amen” and the word “OM”—but once again, there is no connection. Amen is a strong word of affirmation that means “So be it!” It was used especially after the proclamation of a blessing or a curse, and its utterance bound the person to that declaration and/or was an expression of agreement. (Example Deuteronomy 27:11-26)
MY EXPERIENCE WITH ‘CHRISTIAN’ YOGIS
I once visited a yoga studio in West Virginia where the leaders claimed to be Christian, yet the OM symbol was painted on the back wall of the main yoga room. I questioned their use of the symbol, explaining the false deities it represents. The administrators of the studio became somewhat upset with me, insisting I was being narrow-minded, that it was perfectly compatible with a biblical worldview. That is impossible. The God of the Bible is a personal God comprised of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, not an impersonal force or level of consciousness called Brahman. Also, the Hindu triad of Brahma-Vishnu-Shiva is completely different than the triune nature of the true God (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). The Hindu interpretation is a false representation of the Godhead, false imaginary deities that do not exist, gods that according to that theology, only have a temporary existence. According to Hindu teaching, there is a certain point where all deities are turned back to the original source, reborn, and begin an evolutionary journey again.
Trying to mix the worship of the true God with the symbol of OM on the back wall of a “Christian” yoga studio is similar to the biblical story of the way the Philistines tried to place the captured ark of the covenant in a temple with
their god Dagon (who was half-fish and half-human in appearance). After leaving the ark in the temple overnight, the priests returned the next morning to find that their god was flat on his face in a bowed position before the ark. They re-erected their idolatrous statue and came back the next day. Much to their shock, they found Dagon had once again toppled to the ground before the ark, but this time, his head and both his hands were severed. Soon after, the Philistines sent the ark out of their country realizing that the God of the Hebrews refused to share space with their god (which was, of course, was not a god, but a false manmade deity). (See 1 Samuel 5 for the whole story.) If the Philistines were wise enough to make that choice, some of those professing to be Christian yoga advocates should open their hearts to the same wisdom.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENS AND CLAIMING PROTECTION
I have had other yoga advocates who claim to be Christian tell me in a yoga class when participants begin to chant OM, they just speak the name of Jesus and claim the protection of the blood of Jesus. Why would any knowledgeable person want to do such a thing?
Is there a power present when the word “OM” is chanted? Yes, definitely. Is it the power of the Holy Spirit? Absolutely not! It is a vehicle by which demonic spirits infiltrate the room and the minds and hearts of those who are chanting–to deceive sincere, well-meaning seekers into accepting a false approach to oneness with God. For a Christian to remain in the room when this is taking place—or even worse, to participate—is an unacceptable act of compromise. I realize that this observation is very challenging to a Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh, Jainist, or New Ager to accept. It even sounds quite insulting to claim that a beloved practice is actually a doorway to the demonic world. However, I experienced this deception firsthand when I was a yoga teacher at four universities and running a yoga ashram (1970). Once I encountered the true God, my discernment was sharpened to be able to recognize the true source of the power that is released when chanting this word.
The apostle Paul explained in no uncertain terms:
The things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons. (1 Corinthians 10:20-21)
Furthermore, Jesus was very strong in exposing the vanity of trying to use the chanting of mantras to reach God. He said:
“When you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.” (Matthew 6:7)
God is not impressed by, or controlled by, numerous utterances repeated in a monotone manner. Quite the opposite, it is an insult to His intelligence to even approach Him with such a mechanical methodology. He is a personal God (the Everlasting Father) who responds in prayer to those who approach Him in a flow of worshipful communications that stream from the heart. He loves you and He wants loving communion with you. Chanting mantras is anything but that.
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*The picture of Dagon is from the following source: https://chongsoonkim.blogspot.com/2013/10/dagon-fell-down-before-ark-of-jehovah.html
Hello. I have been a yoga teacher for over 20 years, lived in an ashram, and studied under a kundalini yoga swami. I’m in the process of conversion to Christianity. There are questions I have as I’m trying to work out this shift in belief systems. I was taught that all the different gods and goddesses of Hinduism are actually facets of the one God. And that Brahman just meant “ bigness, expansiveness, all that is” because God is that and unable to be boxed in with human labels. Which is why it is also called Tat (That). I do agree that most of the deities that modern day Hindus are worshiping are made up. A lot of that comes from the mythology of the Puranas, and the epics Mahabharata (and Gita) and Ramayana. Prior to 500 BCE, we didn’t have these mythologies in human history. So I was taught that Brahma was the Sanskrit name for the creative aspect of the one God. That Vishnu was the Sanskrit name for the aspect of God that sustains everything. And that Shiva was the Sanskrit name for the aspect of God that destroyed ignorance and the ego and the idea of separation from God. Much in the same way that we say an apple can be a Macintosh apple, a Granny Smith apple, etc but it’s still Apple. Patanjali Yoga Sutras says that in the same vein, Ishwara is the personal aspect of Brahman and Om is the designation and creative word of God (Brahman). Ishwara is Brahman. It reminds me of how Jesus is called Logos (Word) and how it is through the Word (in John) all is created when God spoke (Word). Thus I was taught, that Om is vibration and sound and the Word of God that was used to create everything. So I find all of this challenging to reconcile with Christianity. Because to me it seems the same. Can you help me?
Yes, Jennifer, I can help you. I am not sure how much of this website you have explored, but one particular article may answer some very important questions – “Is There Really Only One God?” Here is the link: https://www.thetruelight.net/wp/is-there-really-only-one-god/ . Also I will be in touch with you by email. You have brought up some issues that require more than just a quick written response. Thank you for seeking truth. Jesus dared to say, “I am the way, the truth and the life: no one comes to the Father but by Me.” (Jn. 14:6). To use a Hindu term—-Jesus is the only avatar, the only incarnation of God, the only One who could claim being God manifested in the flesh. He loves you with an everlasting love. One encounter with Him will change everything for you.
Hello Jenni, Thank you for contacting me. To answer your questions – Though the Hindu Triad seems similar to the triune nature of God in the Bible, the two are radically different. To offer a few simplistic observations regarding mythical histories – Brahma is both vulnerable and lustful. According to one story, Lord Shiva cut off Brahma’s fifth head (often depicted as a manifestation of his ego and arrogance) after Brahma lied about finding the beginning of an endless pillar of light that Shiva had created, or in other tales, because Brahma lusted after his own daughter, Satarupa, or spoke insults from the fifth head toward Shiva. So Shiva punished Brahma for his vanity and dishonesty, leading to Brahma being cursed and his worship diminished, though he was later restored after pilgrimage and penance. Vishnu is known for his ability to manifest as male or female. Shiva is constantly exhibiting unbridled anger and having to repair the mistakes his ignorance causes (like decapitating Ganesha because He did not know His female consort Parvati had created Ganesha in a fully human form to guard her while she bathed). The true God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is omniscient and would never make an error in judgment like that because of ignorance of a matter. The true God is holy and would never be lustful. The true God never speaks anything but truth. The true God never has to do penance to make amends for failures. The true God does not have a female consort. Those are all imaginary tales with absolutely no substance. The biblical Godhead (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) abides in perfect love and harmony and has never had internal conflicts like the NUMEROUS conflicts existing in the mythical stories of Hindu deities. Jesus being “the Word of God” that was in the beginning with God is in no way similar to the belief that OM was the first word that accompanied the manifestation of the universe. It means that He was the voice the Father spoke through to bring forth creation by the Holy Spirit – the eternal Word that spoke a series of intelligible statements like “Let there be light,” not a monotonous one-syllable chant repeated over and over again to supposedly achieve God consciousness. One last comparison—in Hinduism, Brahman is the impersonal life-force that manifests as 330,000,000 deities. But there is no underlying, superior “Life-force” that is the active unifying agent spawning and energizing the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. There is no “higher” or ultimate source beyond the Triune God. Much more could be said – but the most convincing argument can be found at Mount Sinai, when the true God gave the 10 commandments. The first in the list is “You shall have no other gods beside Me” and the second, “You shall not make any graven image.” The beliefs and practices of Hinduism are a gross and egregious departure from these two commandments and a completely unacceptable belief system filled with numerous erroneous ideas. I think we need to talk and discuss these matters more deeply. Most importantly, I urge you to fully repent of idolatry, fully renounce all false religious beliefs and practices, and fully surrender your heart to JESUS, the flawless One who died on a cross that our sins might be washed away and that we might be born again. Let’s talk Jennifer.