Religious Scholar

Yoga classes frequently start with the chant of Om (Aum), which practitioners regard as anything from a relaxing hum to the Sound of God. Om is also considered linguistically related to words such as amen, amin, and ogham in various spiritual traditions.

Depending on the group of practitioners, I’ve noticed that the chant of Om is sometimes harmonious and sometimes discordant, creating a different but equally interesting effect. The YMCA yoga class I attend offers a harmonious, almost unison rendition of the mantra. This class is composed mostly of women, and I’ve always wondered whether females have (overall) a greater sensitivity to tone and musical pitch.

The other class I attend in Philadelphia chants Om in as many tones as there are students (this class tends to include males and females). Unlike the even euphony of the former class, this group’s chanting creates some aural friction, resulting in a dynamic vibration created by the discord.

Which do I prefer? I like them both, and in fact look forward to hearing and participating in the different ways this universal sound can be expressed.

Another place I’ve discovered Om is at the Philadelphia Orchestra! The next time you go to an orchestral concert, note how the event begins when the concertmaster strides onto the stage and signals the oboist to play the note “A” for the orchestra to get in tune. If this isn’t the sound of Om, I don’t know what is! Go ahead: hum along with it. You deserve to be in tune!