Om is not just the universal sound, but the sound of the universe itself.

In the Brahminical tradition, from where Buddhism undoubtedly obtained mantra practice, Om is not just the universal sound, but the sound of the universe itself. Om is therefore a sound symbolising reality. It represents everything in the universe, past, present, and future. It even represents everything that is outside of those three times. It therefore represents both the mundane world of time in which the mind normally functions, and the world as perceived by the mind that is awakened and that experiences the world timelessly. It represents both enlightenment and non-enlightenment. Om is the equivalent of white light, in which all of the colors of the rainbow can be found.

And Shanti simply means “peace”. The shanti is repeated three times. In Buddhism as well as in Hinduism the threefold Shanti is generally interpreted as meaning the Threefold Peace in body, speech, and mind. Hindu teachings typically end with the words Om shanti shanti shanti as an invocation of peace, and the mantra is also used to conclude some Buddhist devotional ceremonies.

Simply knowing that the word shanti means "peace” doesn’t get us very far. We need to learn how to cultivate peace in our lives. Meditation, especially mindfulness meditation and lovingkindness meditation is a simple tool for helping us find peace. In Buddhist practice Santi, or peace, primarily means inner rather than outer peace. Through practice it’s possible to cultivate a still mind even in surroundings that are anything but tranquil. To say that inner peace is what’s important doesn’t mean of course that we can be internally peaceful and yet caught up in all kinds of arguments and fights. It simply means that it’s not possible for us to be in harmony with others unless we’ve learned to develop harmony within our own minds. Shanti, or inner peace, arises when the mind has let go of both grasping and aversion. For this reason the Buddhist path of practice is known as “santimagga” or The Path of Peace. Meditation can therefore be thought of as the “Path to Peace.” Nirvana is the ultimate inner peace, and literally means the complete extinction of inner turmoil.! 🕉📿✨😇🎨🌈
Om Shanti Shanti Shanti ~ Hari Om Namo Narayana ~ Om Namah Shivaya! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻