by Krishna-kripa Dasa

As spiritual beings we are different from our material body. Chanting transcendental sounds like om helps free us from material conditioning and helps us realize our spiritual self.Om is a sound representation of the Supreme Lord. Many groups having some connection with India vibrate om as part of their service. Lord Krishna mentions in Bhagavad-gita (7.8) that He is the syllable om in the Vedic mantras, and He tells how persons perfect in yoga vibrate the syllable om and remember the Supreme Lord at the time of death, and thus enter the kingdom of God (verse 8.13).

Both om and the holy name of the Lord can deliver one from material existence. Although sometimes om is considered an impersonal representation of the Lord, the six Goswamis, direct followers of Lord Chaitanya, say that it indicates the Supreme Lord in His personal feature, along with His energies, who are also persons: "Om is composed of the three letters 'a,' 'u,' and 'm' wherein 'a' refers to Lord Krishna, 'u' refers to Radha, the spiritual energy of Krishna, and 'm' refers to the living beings like ourselves, who all are, in their pure state, loving servants of Radha and Krishna."

Although om is a transcendental spiritual sound, devotees in the Hare Krishna movement do not emphasize the chanting of om because we are followers of Lord Chaitanya, who stressed the chanting of the names of Krishna. Specifically He stressed the chanting of the maha-mantra: Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. This mantra appears in a few places in the Vedic literature and its supplements and is the recommended mantra for spiritual enlightenment in this age of Kali (quarrel). Whatever benefits are obtained by chanting om can also be obtained by chanting Hare Krishna, and in addition one can develop the highest perfection of love of Godhead, the attainment of which makes liberation from material bondage seem very insignificant. Thus although the chanting of om also promotes spiritual realization, the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra is better.

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