What’s In A Mantra? Om Shanti Meaning Explained

What’s In A Mantra? Om Shanti Meaning Explained

If you’ve ever set foot in a yoga class, there’s a good chance you’ve heard the words Om Shanti.

But what does Om Shanti mean? Why is it associated with yoga and meditation? Where did it come from?

We’re going to break down the Om Shanti meaning once and for all. This quick crash course will help you understand this ancient phrase and put it to use in your life.

What Is The Meaning Of Om Shanti?

Om Shanti is a meditation mantra. It’s also used as a greeting in various forms of yoga. In fact, you might have even heard it in a Buddhist chant or two.

So, what does Om Shanti mean?

Well, there’s no word for word translation available, likely because Om actually has no direct translation.

Om is said to be the primordial sound of the universe. It represents the cycle of death and rebirth. It connects us to all that is, was, and will be.

In a way, Om represents our reality.

What about Shanti? Well, there is a direct translation for Shanti. Shanti is a Sanskrit word that means “peace.”

So, how should we decipher the Om Shanti meaning? Universal peace.

Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti: A Wish For Threefold Peace There are different ways of expressing Om Shanti, and one of those ways is: Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti.

Why is the Shanti repeated in this context? Well, we know that Om Shanti is a wish for universal peace. Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti means: Peace of mind, Peace in speech, and Peace in the body.

Om Shanti Meaning In Yoga Why are Om Shanti and Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti used in yoga?

Well, these mantras are used as a form of greeting and goodbye. When said aloud to a fellow yoga practitioner, they are a wish for the other person to experience divine peace.

Think of it as a variation on, “Peace be with you,” “Shalom,” or “Namaste.”

The words may sound different but they essentially mean the same thing: “I acknowledge you, and I wish you well.”

How To Use Om Shanti In Your Life Besides being used as a greeting, Om Shanti can also be used as a meditation mantra.

Deborah King, Author of Mindvalley’s Be A Modern Master Program, explains that sutras and mantras serve to raise our conscious awareness.

“All spiritual progress is born out of self-awareness,” she explains. “We are meant to express the divine through our bodies. That’s why we’re here.”

Using mantras like Om Shanti during meditation helps to center your mind and body.

Repeating the phrase Om Shanti not only grounds you to your practice, your body, and your breath, but also serves as a focal point. Mantras concentrate our energy and keep us focused.

They remind us of why we’re here and what we should orient ourselves toward.