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According to Osho, Om is not a word but the symbol of the universe’s heartbeat—the sound of the soundless—from which Eastern scriptures begin. As one attunes to it, silence deepens; hence Shantih (silence) is intoned thrice, marking three steps into vanishing: by the fourth, ‘you’ are gone and only silence remains. Scriptures start and end thus, affirming the circle where beginning and end are one.
Om is the universe’s gentle hum, and saying Shantih three times means getting quieter and quieter until the “me” dissolves into peace.
From the Discourses
Passages where Osho speaks to this question — each links to the complete discourse.
Beloved master, I am always intrigued by eastern scriptures that begin with om, shantih shantih shantih and end with om, shantih shantih shantih. Would you please talk about this?
Maneesha, the East has approached reality in an almost diametrically opposite way to the West. First, the simple meaning of the word should be understood, and then all the implications. All Eastern scriptures begin with OM, Shantih shantih shantih and they also end with the same. OM is the symbol of the universal heartbeat; it is not a word. And as you come closer and closer to the universal heartbeat, the by-product is a deepening silence. Shantih means silence and it is always repeated three times because by the time you reach to the fourth, you are no more -- just the silence has remained. You have disappeared as an entity separate from the universe. The West has not been able to begin even a single scripture with this intention. It is understandable. They never went into the deeper communion between your heart and the bigger heart of the universe.…
And the second question is: Krishna says that if, in the form of Om, you see me, know me, live me, recognize me, then in the final moment you will attain me. So is this the word Om or not?
No one in the compound will keep their eyes open. Fold both hands, take a resolve! With the Lord as witness, I resolve that I will put my whole energy into the meditation. With the Lord as witness, I resolve that I will put my whole energy into the meditation. With the Lord as witness, I resolve that I will put my whole energy into the meditation. Keep the memory of your resolve; the Lord surely keeps the memory of your resolve. Now for ten minutes, while sitting, take intense breaths. In this, energy will rise very strongly—more strongly than even when standing... Energy will rise; give the shock of breath... electricity will start running inside the body... electricity will begin to be produced within the body... breathe strongly... if the body begins to tremble, let it tremble; if it starts swaying, let it sway; if it starts shaking, let…
Osho, why was Om chosen as a symbol? What are its special features?
There are two reasons Om was chosen. First, the search was for a word that has no meaning, to which you cannot attach meaning; because if you do, it falls on this side of the fifth. A word was needed that, in one sense, is meaningless. Or say: beyond meaning. Both are the same. All our words are meaningful. We coin words precisely so they bear meaning. If there is no meaning, what need is there for a word? We make words to speak, and the purpose of speaking is that I may convey something to you; when I speak, there should be a hint of meaning for you. When people returned from the seventh—or went to the seventh—they felt: whatever word we make, if it carries meaning, it will immediately fall before the fifth body. The dictionary will write out its meaning; people will read and think they have…
Om is the fundamental sound of Sanskrit. In Om, all the sounds of Sanskrit are included. Om is made of A, U, and M—the joining of three sounds: A, U, M. These are the three primal vowels; the rest of language is born from them. All words are then constructed of these. Om is the root; A, U, M are its three branches; and from these three branches the whole web of sound and the birth of all words happens. The Jews would call Om the Logos; Christians would call it the Word. This sutra concerns this Om. Understand this sutra well. For those who would enter within can very easily do so with the support of this sound—because it is resonating within. Every moment this sound is echoing inside. This sound is your very life-breath. If this sound disappears within, you disappear.
Osho, yesterday you spoke a little about Om in reference to the seventh body. In that context, a small question is: which chakras are affected by the vibrations of A, U, and M, and how might they be used by a seeker? What is the relation of these chakric effects to the seventh chakra?
Even so, my constant view remains that Om is to be used only as a symbol, not as a practice. Other devices can be found for practice. Such a sacred word as Om should not be profaned by using it as a means. Therefore many misunderstand me. Many people come to me and say, “If we chant Om, why do you forbid it?” Perhaps it seems to them that I am an enemy of Om. But I know that they are the enemies; because such a supremely sacred word should not be used as a means. In truth, it is not a word meant to be spoken by our tongue. In truth, it is not to be uttered by our body. It begins where the tongue loses meaning and the body becomes useless; there is its resonance. And we do not make that resonance—it happens; it is known; it is…