Om Chanting: Meaning, Method and How Long to Practise
What Om (Aum) means in the Mandukya Upanishad, how to chant it correctly, how many times to repeat it, and how to build a short daily Om practice.
Om is the shortest mantra and the one from which many others begin. A single syllable, it opens Vedic recitation, closes it, and is written at the top of countless letters, prayers and temple doors. It is also one of the easiest mantras to start with.
What Om means
The Mandukya Upanishad devotes its twelve verses to Om. It reads the sound as three parts, A-U-M, followed by silence:
| Part | State of consciousness |
|---|---|
| A | Waking |
| U | Dreaming |
| M | Deep sleep |
| Silence after the sound | Turiya, the fourth: pure awareness behind all three |
In this view Om is not a word but a sound that contains all the others. The Upanishad says that whoever knows Om knows all that is.
The three-part sound
The structure of the sound is part of the practice:
- A: begin with an open “aaa” from the lower chest.
- U: let it move into “uuu,” with the lips rounding.
- M: close the lips and let the “mmm” hum, felt in the face and head.
- Silence: rest briefly in the quiet after the sound.
The M is usually held longest. Try dividing the length as roughly one part A, one part U, two parts M.
How to chant Om
- Sit upright on a chair or on the floor. A straight spine helps the breath.
- Take a full, comfortable breath in through the nose.
- Chant one Om on the exhale, slowly and evenly.
- Pause in the quiet. Notice what is left.
- Repeat for the count you have chosen.
The Om counter keeps count for you, so you need not hold the number in mind.
How many times
| Goal | Count |
|---|---|
| Brief reset | 3 times |
| Short practice | 11 or 21 times |
| Traditional | 108 times |
| Long practice | 1,008 times or more over a day |
Three well-chanted Oms are better than thirty rushed ones. If you want to grow, see how many malas a day.
Aloud or silent
Aloud Om (vachik) lets you feel the vibration, which many beginners find grounding. Silent Om (manasik) turns attention fully inward. A good route is to start aloud and, after a few rounds, let the sound fade into silence. See the three types of japa for the full explanation.
A five-minute daily Om practice
- Minute 1: sit and breathe naturally.
- Minutes 2–4: 11 slow Oms, with a pause after each.
- Minute 5: sit in silence.
You can do this before work, before sleep or when you need to reset. Nothing more is needed.
Om with other mantras
Om opens many mantras: Om Namah Shivaya, Om Namo Narayanaya and the Gayatri Mantra, among others. Beginning any practice with three Oms is a common way to settle.
A note on belief
You do not need to adopt any belief to chant Om. It can be approached as a focus for attention, a gesture of reverence or a way to feel the breath. Read the Spiritual Marg page on Om for a longer explanation, then try your first round.
Ready? Open the Om (Omkar) counter and start your first mala.
Start chantingFrequently asked questions
What does Om mean?
Om is the primal sound of Indian tradition. The Mandukya Upanishad reads it as A-U-M, covering waking, dreaming and deep sleep, with the silence after it pointing to pure awareness.
How many times should I chant Om?
Common choices are 3, 11, 21 or 108 times. Three slow, full repetitions are enough to begin.
Should I chant Om aloud or silently?
Both are valid. Aloud chanting helps the beginner follow the sound; silent chanting suits a deeper, quieter practice.
Is Om a religious chant?
It is central in Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions and is also used in secular practices as a focus for attention. You can chant it with whatever understanding you hold.
