The words are written in the sand

yogaislife:

By Melanie Levine

1. The sound of OM encompasses all words, all sounds in human language
 
OM is a matrix of all sounds, when in its diversified form gives rise to all words used in language.
 
Linguistically, all audible sounds are produced in the space within the mouth beginning at the root of the tongue and ending at the lips. The throat sound is A, and M is the lip sound; and the sound U represents the rolling forward of speech articulation which starts at the root of the tongue, continuing until it ends in the lips.
 
To pronounce OM correctly, remember, the sound vibration is pronounced “oom” as in home.
 
2. AUM and OM
 
In Sanskrit, the sound “O” is a diphthong spelled “AU”. A diphthong is the blending of two vowel sounds where both are normally heard and make a gliding sound. As a result, the difference between OM and AUM is simply one of transliteration.
 
3. AUM represents the 3 Fold Division of Time
 
            A – is the waking state
            U – is the dream state
            M – is the state of deep sleep
 
At the end of AUM is a pause, a silence. This represents the state known as Turiya, or Infinite Consciousness
 

4. The visual symbol represents the meaning of AUM
 
The symbol OM visually consists of three curves, one semicircle, and a dot.
 
The large bottom curve symbolizes the waking state, A.
The middle curve signifies the dream state, U.
The upper curve denotes the state of deep sleep, M.
 
The dot signifies the fourth state of consciousness, Turiya.
 
The semi circle at the top represents Maya and separates the dot from the other three curves. It signals to us that it is the illusion of Maya that is an obstacle to realization of the Highest.
 
 
5. OM is associated with Ganesha
 
The physical form of Lord Ganesha is said to be that of OM.  The upper curve, of OM, is identified with the head or the face of Ganesh. The Lower curve his belly. The twisted curve, on the right side of OM is the trunk.
 

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-2776/5-Facts-You-May-Not-Know-About-OM.html

yogaprivatelessons:

Dharma (help·info) (Sanskrit: धर्म dhárma, Pali: धम्म dhamma; lit. that which upholds or supports) means Law or Natural Law (as in the natural order of things) and is a concept of central importance in Indian philosophy and religion. In the context of Hinduism, it refers to one’s personal obligations, calling and duties, and a Hindu’s dharma is affected by the person’s age, caste, class, occupation, and gender. In modern Indian languages it can refer simply to a person’s religion, depending on the context.

The idea of dharma as duty or propriety derives from an idea found in India’s ancient legal and religious texts that there is a divinely instituted natural order of things (rta) and justice, social harmony and human happiness require that human beings discern and live in a manner appropriate to the requirements of that order