(cache) Appropriation of the word "Om"

Appropriation of the word “Om”

I was so annoyed with the appropriation of the word “Om” that I decided to write this. I don’t know how many people are actually going to read this, or bother reading until the end, or reblog, but this is something that is really important to me. I feel so strongly about this.

I DO NOT like it when people (such as Westerners, or white people) make use of the word “Om” in things like their Instagram usernames, their profile descriptions, or anything for that matter. Somehow I feel enraged and indignant when I see it being used in such contexts because

That is NOT how it’s supposed to be used. AT ALL.
You sound like an idiot because you’re using it in the wrong context. Using such words (stealing such words from another culture) does not make you sound more cultured, or more “hip” or “cooler”.
Not realising that such terms are not just terms to the culture it is from, but is something that is full of meaning, just makes you look really uneducated and unaware.

Like I said, I don’t know how many people would actually read or reblog this, but I’m just putting it out there because it’s something I feel strongly about and I wanted to talk about it.

Om ( ॐ in Sanskrit ) is a sacred sound, is a spiritual icon, and a very important mantra in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. Basically it is something very very religious and sacred to anyone from this religion. I do not know if it is right of me to say that it is important to Indians, because I realise that you do not have to be Indian to be a Buddhist. Where I come from, there are non-Indians who are staunch Buddhists and pray to the same deities that I do.

To cut a long story short, please consider these before incorporating the “Om” icon into any trivial and un-important context.

This spiritual symbol refers to the soul within, and Brahman, who represents reality, the supreme spirit, and the universe, just to name a few.
This important symbol is usually found at the start and end of each chapter in the Vedas and other holy Hindu texts. Vedas (meaning “knowledge” in Sanskrit) are to Hindus what the Koran is to Muslims. If this doesn’t prove how sacred the Om is to us, I don’t know what does. It’s almost like trying to explain how important Amen is.
It is a spiritual incantation that is made before reciting these texts, before Puja (prayers), and even in weddings rituals. That’s how much of importance the Om holds to us.
Sometimes it is also used during meditation and Yoga.
The Vedas state that Om is divine, and refer to it as the cosmic sound, and energy.
Vedic texts state that the three phonetic components of Om correspond to the three stages of cosmic creation, and the word itself is a recognition and celebration of the universe and its creative powers.
It is found in many temples and spiritual retreats.
Om can also be said to be the representation of the Hindu Trimurti. It represents the union of the three gods : A for Brahma (The Creator), U for Vishnu (The Protector) and M for Shiva (The Destroyer). If this doesn’t strike anyone as holy, sacred, or important, then I don’t know what else can be considered holy.

I could go on and on about how sacred the Om is to Hindus and Buddhists, but I think these are important

points that everyone needs to keep in mind, especially before using it for things like an Instagram photo caption, or a Twitter status update, or to just make yourself sound cool. This should be spread around more so that everyone can educate themselves on this kind of appropriation. We feel so strongly when non-blacks use AAVE, so why shouldn’t we feel strongly when non -Hindus make use of a word that holds religious and sacred meaning to us? Why shouldn’t we feel outraged when these people wear our culture and religion on their tee shirts and prance around like its a fashion statement? Because honestly, I feel outraged when I see the word Om on some white kid’s tee shirt, but that’s a different story reserved for a separate post. I wish more of our kind would stand up against this and such kinds of appropriation. I will not tolerate any person, who does not belong to any of the three religious groups mentioned above, to make use of the Om for purposes other than the one it was intended for. Thank you to whoever made it this far and please do help to share!

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