Aum (or Om) is a Sanskrit syllable. It is found in several religions, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism, or Brahmanism.
This sound is considered to be the divine primitive vibration of the Universe which represents all existence. The original sound from which the Universe would have structured.
The AUM syllable therefore represents the totality of what exists, as well as the Hindu trinity:
The letter A represents the beginning, the birth, and the creator god Brahma.
The letter U represents continuation, life, and the god Vishnu
And the letter M represents the end, death, and the destructive god Shiva.The pronunciation of Aum is sometimes described as follows: first A emerges from the back of the throat, towards the palate, then U rolls on the tongue and M ends on the lips.
A symbolizes wakefulness, U, dream, M, sleep. Awakening corresponds to the fourth step: silence, departure and rebirth of Being.
This is the first syllable of the famous Aum Mani Padme Hum mantra.