Aum ॐ

is the sound that is not made by any two things striking together.
the sound of the energy of the universe of which all things are manifestations. the sound of the radiance of god.
all words are simply fragments of Aum.

the four stages of ॐ

"a" - waking consciousness. ego consciousness. duality. Aristotelian logic: a is not (not a).
"u" - dream consciousness. when you dream you are surprised by your dream, yet your dream is you. you, as subject, are surprised by your self as object. you seem to be two, you and your dream, but you are one. subject and object are the same. this is the midway point to transcendance, to realize relationship as identity. gods, heavens and hells are the cosmic aspects of dreams. and dreams are the personal aspect of myths.
"m" - deep dreamless sleep. consciousness.
silence.