Om Shanti is an invocation for peace or an invocation to God and is usually chanted three times to become om shanti shanti shanti. This mantra means “om, peace, peace, peace.” The phrase can be seen as a salutation, but it appears mostly in Hindu and Buddhist prayers, writings and ceremonies.

 

Traditionally the word shanti is chanted three times after om as it is invoking peace on three levels of consciousness: waking, dreaming and sleeping. It has also been thought that it is chanted three times to harmonize the three lokas, or worlds: earth, heaven and hell. It can also be said that shanti is chanted three times to soothe and bring peace to the body, mind and spirit.

 

Om shanti or om shanti shanti shanti can be said to be a wonderful prayer all on its own. Asking for peace from the creator, the God of your experience and it is also considered a prayer asking for protection or peace from the world around you.