Are you chanting it wrong? The silent anxiety of OM vs. AUM

You settle into stillness, ready to chant. You take a deep breath and begin… but then the question creeps in.

Should it be OM? Or AUM?

Does it even matter? Or could choosing the ‘wrong’ sound dilute your practice, shifting your energy in ways you don’t fully understand?

If you’ve ever hesitated before voicing this sacred vibration, you’re not alone. Many spiritual seekers feel an unexpected tension around this simple yet profound question. But what if the answer isn’t about getting it ‘right’—but about discovering what resonates most deeply with you?

Should I chant Om or AUM? What’s the difference?

A Guide to the Sacred Sound of Self-Love & Inner Connection

At Sense Greater Peace, we believe that self-love is not something to be earned, but something to be remembered—a truth that already resides within.

The sacred vibration of Om or Aum is one of the most profound tools to guide us back home to ourselves, offering clarity, compassion, and a deep sense of belonging.

How can this ancient sound support my journey of self-acceptance, emotional balance, and inner peace?

In this guide, we’ll explore the wisdom behind Om and AUM, their subtle energetic differences, and how you can integrate them into your practice with two powerful, heart-centred rituals.

The Difference Between Om and AUM

Both Om and AUM are sacred vibrations, but they resonate differently in the body, mind, and heart.

OM – The Heart-Centred Sound of Self-Love

Pronounced as a long, single Ommmmm, Om is the essence of AUM in its purest form—a gentle, nurturing sound that settles into the heart and body.

• Om soothes the nervous system, helping us release self-judgment.

• It aligns with the Earth’s natural vibration, grounding us in inner peace.

• It is a universal sound of belonging, reminding us that we are already whole.

🌿 When to Use OM: If you are feeling disconnected from self-love, weighed down by self-criticism, or simply need to return to the heart, Om is a powerful yet gentle mantra to guide you home.

AUM – The Expansive Sound of Awareness

Pronounced as “Ahh-Ohh-Mmm”, AUM is known as the sound of creation, representing the threefold nature of our being:

✨ “A” (Ahh) – The Physical Self (Body & Earth)

• Resonates in the lower belly and root chakra.

• Grounds us in the present moment, helping us feel safe and embodied.

✨ “U” (Ooo) – The Inner World (Heart & Emotions)

• Vibrates through the chest and throat, opening the heart and voice.

• Connects us to intuition, self-expression, and emotional flow.

✨ “M” (Mmm) – The Deep Self (Mind & Spirit)

• Felt in the head and third eye, dissolving mental clutter.

• Represents inner stillness, wisdom, and deep trust.

🌿 When to Use AUM: If you feel disconnected, overwhelmed, or seeking clarity, AUM can re-align your energy, awaken awareness, and guide you back to balance.

✨ For a balanced practice, begin with AUM to expand your awareness, and end with OM to centre, ground, and receive.

Two Practices for Integrating Om & AUM

At Sense Greater Peace, we work with practices that feel nurturing, empowering, and deeply embodied. Here are two ways to bring these sacred sounds into your own journey of self-love and connection.

Practice 1: Om Chanting for Self-Love & Inner Peace

🌿 A practice to soften into self-acceptance, quiet the inner critic, and bring warmth to the heart.

🔹 How to Practice:

1. Find a comfortable seated position. Place one hand on your heart, one on your belly.

2. Set an intention for your practice and hold this mantra in your heart:

“I am enough. I am loved. I am whole as I am.”

3. Close your eyes and take a deep inhale, expanding the chest.

4. As you exhale, chant a long, resonant “Ommmmmm”, letting the vibration wash through you.

• Feel the O expanding in the chest.

• Let the Mmmm settle into the heart.

5. Repeat for 6-9 rounds, allowing each Om to soften resistance and deepen self-acceptance.

6. After the last round, sit in stillness and simply feel the presence of your own love.

💫 Why This Works: Om anchors you in your heart, dissolving self-doubt and inviting gentle self-compassion. It is especially powerful when paired with heart-opening yoga postures or before sleep.

Practice 2: AUM Breathwork for Expansion & Emotional Clarity

🌿 A ritual to clear stuck energy, release self-doubt, and realign the heart, mind, and body.

🔹 How to Practice:

1. Sit tall, hands resting on your knees in Hridaya Mudra (Heart Mudra—index finger at the base of the thumb, other fingers relaxed).

2. Take a deep inhale, filling the belly, ribs, and chest.

3. As you exhale, chant AUM in its three parts:

• “Aaaah” (felt in the belly, grounding you).

• “Oooo” (expanding through the heart, softening emotions).

• “Mmmm” (resonating in the head, quieting the mind).

4. After the exhale, pause in silence, feeling the stillness.

5. Repeat for 5-7 rounds, allowing the vibration to clear your energy.

✨ Why This Works: AUM harmonises the nervous system, helping to release inner resistance and create space for clarity, trust, and flow.

Bringing Om & AUM into Your Daily Life

The most powerful practices are the ones that feel intuitive and nourishing. You can weave Om and AUM into your day in simple ways:

🌿 Morning Practice: Start the day with three rounds of AUM to open energy channels and invite clarity.

🌿 During Yoga: Chant Om in heart-opening poses like Sphinx or Child’s Pose to anchor self-love.

🌿 Before Sleep: Whisper a soft Om as you rest, allowing the vibration to settle your nervous system.

Final Thought: The Sound of Wholeness

Whether you chant Om or AUM, the true power lies in the intention behind it. These are not just sounds—they are vibrations that remind you of who you truly are: complete, worthy, and deeply loved.

These sounds are not about perfection; they are pathways. One may ground you, another may expand you, but both are doorways back to yourself.

So the next time you sit in stillness, let go of hesitation. Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and trust the vibration that feels right in your body today.

And if you’re still unsure, why not try both? Experience them, feel their resonance, and notice how they shift your state. Let this be a practice of curiosity, not criticism—of self-acceptance, not self-correction.

Do you feel more connected to Om or AUM?

Try the practices above and notice your reflections.

I’d love to hear your experience feel free to message me directly. Your journey is uniquely yours—let’s explore it together.

See you soon, with warmth,

Sue xxx

Next blog….AUM & The Three States of Consciousness: A Sacred Bridge to the Divine