Yes, and no!
That is to say, well, yes OM or AUM may have significance in a certain limited context in the metaphysical realm. But at the Absolute level, no. For, the Ultimate is self-created, unconditioned, eternal reality of What Is. Not sound, but silence is the natural state of being of That Which Is.
Yet, it does seem to do something or the other in the seeker, while chanting it.
Some ancients are inclined to think of OM or AUM as the “sound of the universe” - of the cosmic existence. Frankly, it is not.
However, it may be heard were one to meditate upon it. It is not the end experience though. That is, at the moment of ‘THAT’ which is the IT of all, no such sound is heard. Nor does it enter into the calculation of the Finality of it all. During the Revelation of What Is.
But does chanting OM or AUM has some metaphysical significance for the meditating being? Does it enhance one’s “performance” as if, and help in “getting” the ‘That’ of the Final Reality - of “finding” God, so to say? Well, it seems to help. Sages of afore, the ancient freemystics of India do favour its usage. For, this particular sound -OM/AUM is definitely heard at some stage during one’s seeking.
Therefore, this much is sure - OM or AUM is a “checked out”, a proven metaphysical “happening” that occurs in the seeking of ‘IT’. One may benefit from it, as one may from a sound guiding us towards our destination. Like say, a friend you are going to visit, hailing you in the dark and guiding your steps as though toward the path leading to his house in the night.
So, yes it is helpful in leading the seeker to the path, of That Which Is.
But could one do without it? In short, were one not to chant OM or AUM during meditation or in the process of one’s seeking, could one yet get the Ultimate Truth? To that the answer is a definite YES.
One can, and does, get the Absolute without any preconditioned thinking or actions -including the chanting of the aforesaid word.
For, eventually the enfolding of the “god particle”, so to say, is unbound to any doings or undoing of one’s own. It is a matter of Grace.
IT, the DIVINE REALITY, dawns upon whom it may.
Even upon a fool. But a “divine fool”, needless to say. Simply put, the Truth or Enlightenment may dawn upon the devotee who “pleases” the Universal Self - that which most of humankind address as the “Lord Almighty”.
Though the almighty reality is no human-like entity, it must be clarified.
Thus the question arises, “Should a seeker chant OM/AUM in one’s meditative practice?” Of course, one should.
Could one do without it? Indeed one may.
Though one should not. For a wise seeker does not ignore sagacious advise. Especially so if in taking up the “good word” benefits somehow in one’s quest for ‘IT’ - the Truth of Whatsoever Is.
Be a divine fool, if you have to be a fool.
Om. ~_~
