Chapter 6 · 4 / 4
Mastering OM, the Most Basic Mantra
OM is AUM: A resonating vertically, U spreading laterally, M converging inward. How to join the three and sound them smoothly.
The lessons are narrated in Japanese.
How to turn on English subtitles
- Start the video and click the CC button to switch captions on.
- Open Settings (the gear icon) → Subtitles/CC → Auto-translate.
- Choose English.
These are machine-translated from the Japanese captions, so expect some roughness — particularly around tea terminology. The text on this page is a proper translation, so read the two together.
How to sound OM.
Here we look concretely at how to pronounce OM, the most basic of the mantras.
OM is AUM
To come closer to the accurate Sanskrit pronunciation, OM is generally written AUM.
- A — a vertical direction, resonating along the central axis of the body
- U — a direction spreading laterally
- M — a direction converging inward
Joining these three produces a resonance that is well balanced both as sound and as bodily sensation.
Making it smooth
At Tea Gong Academy we broadly agree with treating it as AUM. On top of that, we add a way of making the sounding smoother.
First close the mouth lightly, hold the image of M, and let the vibration resonate inside the body.
Gradually open the vocal folds and the throat, open the mouth, and carry it into O and A.
When closing at the end, stopping hard on M can cut the voice off. Slipping in a light NG sound leaves a natural resonance behind.
Written out, the flow comes to something like mngoong. Rather than trying to pronounce it neatly, concentrate on resonating comfortably without straining the body.
Using the organs of the body
Movement of the body matters for making the sound more comfortable.
- At the first M, the tip of the tongue rests lightly against the upper palate.
- As you move into O and A, let the tongue drop naturally and widen the space of the pharynx. Lower the jaw slowly.
- As you move into NG, raise the back of the tongue and close the back of the throat lightly. Do not close the mouth completely; let the resonance carry.
- Whether or not you let the sound pass through the nose is up to you. Try both and enjoy the difference in how it feels.
Done this way, you should be able to repeat OM naturally.
Do not get caught on the letters
We have written all this out concretely, but the essence of mantra is not in how the letters are read. It is in the experience of actually producing the sound.
Even with the same OM, the resonance sounds entirely different depending on the state of the person’s body, their posture and the condition of their mind. The effect differs with it.
What matters is not a correct pronunciation but a resonance that feels natural to you and settles body and mind.
There are a great many possibilities hidden in your own voice. Through the practice of mantra, listen to that resonance and take the chance to face yourself.