The Meaning of 3: Ravi Shankar and the Om

Our latest Volumes release, The Blackwing 3, is a tribute to music pioneer Ravi Shankar. This release seeks to not only honor the impact he had on global culture, but also the spiritual principles essential to his life and music. The cultural and religious significance of the number 3 spans across traditions around the world, and to Ravi it embodied the very essence of his music through the sacred symbol known as Om (ॐ).

While many are already familiar with the Sanskrit symbol through its prevalent use in the practices of yoga and meditation, it also carries with it several deeper layers of meaning. In the ancient Hindu tradition, it is believed that Om (ॐ) is the sound that conceived the universe and is considered the most sacred of all the mantras. In order to better understand Om as a whole, it is important to recognize that it is comprised of 3 distinct syllables that each represent a separate element of consciousness, creation, and spirituality. These three syllables are “A-U-M” respectively. Which, when enunciated together, create the “Om” sound popular in spiritual chants and meditations.

The “A” is known as the “waking” or physical state. It represents our groundedness to the earth and our personal relationship to the world around us. It is the physical presence of our bodies and how we perceive the environment through our senses.

The “U” is the “dream” or mental state. This focuses on the inner-self where we house our thoughts, emotions, and desires. It is the core of mindfulness, serving as a gateway and joining our mind to something bigger, beyond the purview of physical limitations.

Lastly, the “M” is something more abstract. It represents the “deep sleep” or spiritual state. As it rounds out the phonetic sound of Om, it represents the unification of body, mind, and spirit. It combines the physical with the mental state to reach the omnipotent plane of spirituality and connectedness to the universe.

The three elements, A-U-M, on their own are incomplete without the others. Each part is intrinsically linked and embodies an important, foundational aspect of mindfulness as a whole. It’s this type of unity that Ravi strived for, both in his music and in his life.

Read more about the Blackwing 3 here.