Powered By Blogger
Showing posts with label nada yoga. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nada yoga. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 11, 2022

Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast: Sound Meditation in the World Religions Series: Hinduism and Radhasoami (Yoga of Sound Series)

 


Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcast: Inner Sound Meditation in the World Religions Series: Hinduism and Radhasoami (Yoga of Sound Series)





These mystic or heavenly inner Sounds are always resounding in the soul, thus when one attains a certain level of stillness and concentration, spiritual Sound becomes audible. In truth, the inner Sound is always there, it is we (our attention) who come and go. We gain awareness of the Sound, and this creates the illusion that the Sound has "arrived." When we get distracted or leave off our meditation practice it seems to us that the Sound has "stopped." However, this otherworldly Sound continues, like radio waves flowing through the atmosphere, available to be "tuned in" anytime we wish to listen (do bhajan: listen to the inner Sound in meditation).


Hinduism is very much a religion of Divine Light and Sound; many Indian scriptures and spiritual traditions teach about the universe being created through the Sound of AUM, the ecstasy of hearing the cosmic flute of Krishna, or hearing the Unstruck Melody (Anhad Shabad) of God that reverberates throughout the universe. Yogis of Nada Yoga and Masters of Shabd Yoga Meditation impart to their students knowledge about developing their inner spiritual sense of transcendental hearing.


"The Sound heard internally is a Current which has originally emanated from the Supreme Being and is the means not only of concentrating the will but also of raising spirit entity to the Source from which it emanated... The method for taking back the spirit-entity to its Supreme Source is first to concentrate at the eye-focus [Third Eye], and next to commence its journey homewards by attending to the internal Sound, or in other words, by riding the Life or Sound Current which has originally emanated from the Supreme Source." (Huzur Maharaj on Surat Shabd Yoga Meditation practice in, Radhaswami Mat Prakash -- Light on the Teachings of the Lord of the Soul, Radhasoami Faith)


Spiritual Awakening Radio -- Sant Mat Satsang Podcast: Sound Meditation in the World Religions Series: Hinduism and Radhasoami (Yoga of Sound Series) - Listen, Download, Subscribe @ the Podcast Website:

https://SpiritualAwakeningRadio.libsyn.com/website


@ Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritual-awakening-radio/id1477577384


@ Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5kqOaSDrj630h5ou65JSjE


@ Google Podcasts:

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5saWJzeW4uY29tLzIwNzIzNi9yc3M


& @ Wherever You Subscribe and Follow Podcasts (Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Audible, PodBean, Overcast, i Heart Radio, Podcast Addict, Gaana, CastBox, etc...):

https://linktr.ee/SpiritualAwakeningRadio


In Divine Love, Light and Sound, Peace Be To You,


James Bean

Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts

Spiritual Awakening Radio

https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com



#SpiritualAwakeningRadio #JamesBean #TheMaineSatsang #SantMatSatsangPodcasts #Podcasts #Podcasting #SpiritualPodcasts #Religion #ReligionPodcasts #Mystics #Mysticism #Gnostic #Gnosticism #God #Bhakti #SpiritualLove #Meditation #InnerLightandSoundMeditation #SuratShabdYoga #NadaYoga #Shabda #Naam #Word #AUM #OM #Sound #MusicoftheSpheres #AudibleLifeStream #SoundCurrents #Hindusim #Radhaswami #Radhasoami #Santmat #Sant_Mat #SantMatRadhasoami #PathoftheMasters #WayoftheSaints #Satsang #India #Spirituality #Scriptures #SacredTexts #Books #SpiritualClassics #RadhasoamiFaith #RadhasoamiMatPrakesh #HuzurMaharaj #RaiSaligram #Nad #NadabinduUpanishad #HathaYogaPradipika #TheLawofAttentionNadaYogaandtheWayofInnerVigilance #EdwardSalimMichael #KirpalSingh #Attention











Tuesday, October 04, 2022

Sound Meditation in the World Religions Series: Sufism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Kabir Panth -- Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts


Sound Meditation in the World Religions Series: Sufism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Kabir Panth -- Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts





"Abstract Sound is called Saut-e Sarmad by the Sufis; all space is filled with it. The vibrations of this Sound are too fine to be either audible or visible to the material eyes or ears, since it is even difficult for the eyes to see the form and color of the ethereal vibrations on the external plane. It was the Saut-e Sarmad, the Sound of the abstract plane, which Muhammad heard in the cave of Ghar-e Hira when he became lost in his divine Ideal. The Qur'an refers to this Sound in the words, 'Be! and all became.' Moses heard this very Sound on Mount Sinai, when in communion with God; and the same Word was audible to Christ when absorbed in his Heavenly Father in the wilderness. Shiva heard the same Anhad Nada during his Samadhi [deep meditation] in the cave of the Himalayas. The flute of Krishna is symbolic of the same Sound. This Sound is the source of all revelation to the Masters, to whom it is revealed from within; it is because of this that they know and teach one and the same truth." (Hazrat Khan, The Sufi Message Series, II, The Mysticism of Sound)


Today we explore Inner Sound Meditation according to the teachings of Sufism, Jainism, the Sikh scriptures, and the Path of Guru Kabir, along with some valuable insight about Inner Sound Meditation practice by Edward Salim Michael.


Sound Meditation in the World Religions Series: Sufism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Kabir Panth (Yoga of Sound Series) - Listen, Download, Subscribe @ the Podcast Website:

https://SpiritualAwakeningRadio.libsyn.com/website


@ Apple Podcasts:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritual-awakening-radio/id1477577384


@ Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5kqOaSDrj630h5ou65JSjE


@ Google Podcasts:

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5saWJzeW4uY29tLzIwNzIzNi9yc3M


& @ Wherever You Subscribe and Follow Podcasts (Apple, Spotify, Google, Amazon, Audible, PodBean, Overcast, i Heart Radio, Podcast Addict, Gaana, CastBox, etc...):

https://linktr.ee/SpiritualAwakeningRadio


In Divine Love, Light and Sound, Peace Be To You,


James Bean

Sant Mat Satsang Podcasts

Spiritual Awakening Radio

https://www.SpiritualAwakeningRadio.com


#SpiritualAwakeningRadio #Podcasts #SantMatSatsangPodcasts #SpiritualPodcasts #Satsang #Santmat #Sant_Mat #Radhaswami #Radhasoami #Radhasoamiji #Radha_Soami #SuratShabdYoga #InnerLightandSound #AudibleLifeStream #SoundCurrent #Sufi #Sufism #Jain #JainSutras #Jainism #Sikh #Sikhism #AdiGranth #GuruGranth #PathoftheMasters #YogaofSound #Kabir #KabirPanth #PrakashManiGita #MysticismofSound #HazratKhan #Rumi #ShahNiaz #SultanBahu #Mystics #Religion #Spirituality #Mysticism




Friday, January 13, 2017

PODCAST: The Yoga of SOUND, Part 5: Sant Mat, the Path of the Masters


PODCAST: The Yoga of SOUND, Part 5: Sant Mat, the Path of the Masters


PODCAST: The Yoga of SOUND, Part 5: Sant Mat, the Path of the Masters -- Spiritual Awakening Radio with James Bean -- Listen @ Youtube:


Today, Part Five of the Yoga of Sound Series! It's time to learn about the Path of the Masters of the East: Sant Mat, the Way of the Saints, Living Gnosis Now, and the Inner Light and Sound Meditation practice (Surat Shabd Yoga) that lets the soul ascend back to the Pleroma (Fullness), Nirvana, Sach Khand, Sat Lok (the True Eternal Timeless Realm), the Kingdom of the Heavens, Radhaswami Dham. 

There are inner Sounds that one receives instruction from a true Master about at the time of initiation into Surat Shabd Yoga (Inner Sound Meditation, the Yoga of the Audible Life Stream). These Sounds are perceived to come from the right side or center and represent the Ascending Current. Sounds that appear to be coming from the left side are of the descending current flowing downward into the material creation or multiverse. One is instructed to focus on the Sounds of the Ascending Current or Audible Life Stream — certain Sounds. There are of course many other sounds one might hear, but one has to focus on certain Sound Currents. The reason for this is these Sounds, if focused upon during meditation practice, will keep pulling the soul’s attention up to ever higher and higher levels. These are coming from regions Above. Other sounds, though mistaken for the Sound Current, are interesting, miraculous or even mystical, will not help the Surat-soul to ascend or make spiritual progress.

Sometimes in the news there have been reports about people hearing a mysterious sound that seems to be coming from nowhere. One of these has been called “the Taos Hum.” In, Philosophy of Liberation, Maharshi Mehi states that not only are there spiritual sounds associated with the heavenly realms, but there are also many vibrations or semi-subtle sounds associated with the gross-material realm. He says one should not falsely assume they are accessing the real inner Sound Current just by hearing ANY kind of sound that may manifest itself in one’s perception during the silence of meditation:

“There are sounds due to gross vibrations in the material body. To meditate on these gross-material sounds and believe it to be as the full practice of the Yoga of Sound shows a lack of knowledge of Yoga.” There are gross-material sounds one can hear in the silence of meditation that do not lead one Above, do not lead to spiritual growth, transformation or enlightenment. Swami Vyasanand: “This is because only the Central Sound has the power to attract the consciousness to the center and carry the soul to the center of a higher realm. Other illusory material sounds do not have that magnetism to attract the consciousness to the higher realms.”

“Various sorts of Sound Currents reverberate in the human system from which the initiate has to pick up the right one and listen to it, otherwise he will go astray and lose his equipoise. The practical Guru forewarns his disciple and directs which Sound to listen to and which one to discard.” (Shiv Brat Lal)

God is the Ocean of Love and All-Consciousness.

In Divine Light and Sound, Gnosis, Peace, Jai Guru, Jai Sat Naam, Satya Raam, Radhasoami, 
James

* Website:

* Like the Sant Mat Radhaswami Page at Facebook:

* Introduction to Sant Mat Spirituality and Meditation:

* The Sant Mat Radhasoami Blog and Satsang E-Newsletter:
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, January 05, 2017

PODCAST: The Yoga of SOUND, Part 4: Hinduism and Radhaswami -- Spiritual Awakening Radio


PODCAST: The Yoga of SOUND, Part 4: Hinduism and Radhaswami -- Spiritual Awakening Radio


PODCAST: The Yoga of SOUND, Part 4: Hinduism and Radhaswami (Radhasoami Faith) -- Spiritual Awakening Radio with James Bean — Listen @ Youtube:


Hinduism is very much a religion of Divine Light and Sound; many Indian scriptures and spiritual traditions teach about the universe being created through the Sound of AUM, the ecstasy of hearing the cosmic flute of Krishna, or hearing the Unstruck Melody (Anhad Shabad) of God that reverberates throughout the universe. Yogis of Nada Yoga and Masters of Shabd Yoga Meditation impart to their students knowledge about developing their inner spiritual sense of transcendental hearing.

Nada Yoga: A good example of the Nada (Sound) Meditation practice of Hinduism is found in, The Shambhala Guide To Yoga, George Feuerstein, Shambala Books:

"First, the practitioner should block his or her ears with the fingers and focus inwardly, listening for the arising of the inner Sound. To begin with, a variety of sounds may be heard -- the practitioner may hears sounds like: the sound of the ocean, a rain cloud, a drum, a kettledrum, a conch, a bell [ringing sound], a horn, a flute, a lute, or a bee [humming sound]."

The ancient Nada Bindu Upanishad also mentions the possibility of hearing a high and holy Sound that resembles the Vina, a somewhat sitar-like instrument used in Indian classical music.

These mystic or heavenly inner Sounds are always resounding in the soul, thus when one attains a certain level of stillness and concentration, spiritual Sound becomes audible. In truth, the inner Sound is always there, it is we (our attention) who come and go. We gain awareness of the Sound, and this creates the illusion that the Sound has "arrived." When we get distracted or leave off our meditation practice it seems to us that the Sound has "stopped." However, this otherworldly Sound continues, like radio waves flowing through the atmosphere, available to be "tuned in" anytime we wish to listen (do bhajan: listen to the inner Sound in meditation). 

Surat Shabda Yoga: Merging into the Sound Current that Takes the Soul Back Home According to the RadhaSoAmI Faith

“The Sound heard internally is a Current which has originally emanated from the Supreme Being and is the means not only of concentrating the will but also of raising spirit entity to the Source from which it emanated... The method for taking back the spirit-entity to its Supreme Source is first to concentrate at the eye-focus [Third Eye], and next to commence its journey homewards by attending to the internal Sound, or in other words, by riding the Life or Sound Current which has originally emanated from the Supreme Source.” (Huzur Maharaj on Surat Shabd Yoga Meditation practice in, Radhasoami Mat Prakash)


God is the Ocean of Love and All-Consciousness.

"The place where people are always talking about the secrets of the path of Surat Shabd Yoga, is true Satsang." (Huzur Maharaj)

In Divine Light and Sound, Gnosis, Peace, Jai Sat Naam, Radhasoami, Jai Guru, 
James

* Website:

* Introduction to Sant Mat Spirituality and Meditation: 

* The Sant Mat Radhasoami Blog and Satsang E-Newsletter:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Thursday, December 29, 2016

PODCAST: The Yoga of SOUND, Part 3: Sufism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Kabir Panth -- Spiritual Awakening Radio


PODCAST: The Yoga of SOUND, Part 3: Sufism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Kabir Panth -- Spiritual Awakening Radio


PODCAST: The Yoga of SOUND, Part 3: Sufism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Kabir Panth -- Spiritual Awakening Radio with James Bean — Listen @ Youtube:



Today we explore Inner Sound Meditation according to the teachings of Sufism, Jainism, the Sikh scriptures, the Path of Guru Kabir, along with some valuable insight about Inner Sound Meditation practice by Edward Salim Michael. 

"Close both ears with your hands and listen to the Inner Sounds." (Acharya Mahapragya, "The Method of Using Preksha Dhyana", Jainism)

"In the Divine Sound of God (Bhagawan) all the Mysteries are revealed." (Swami Jnananada, Pandita Puja, Jainism)

"Listen to this Song of Bliss, you blessed ones,
And all your heart's longings shall be fulfilled.
You will reach the Transcendent Lord, and
your sorrows will depart.
All afflictions and sorrows are destroyed
at the Sound of the True Word,
And my friends, the saints were in ecstasy when
the perfect Guru revealed it.
Those who speak and those who listen are pure,
And they see the All-pervading Lord everywhere.
Nanak prays: Attaching to the feet of the Guru,
The mind is filled with the divine Music of the Spheres."
(Guru Amar Das, in, Anand Sahib -- Adi Granth/Shri Guru Granth Sahib)

"Without the knowledge of Sar Shabd, the soul does not escape from the cycle of birth and death...That eternal Sound is in everyone, but dormant. One has to "awaken" it with love, devotion, recitation of the Name and meditation...  Surati [the soul] and shabda [Sound Current] are two things, but when they unite, they become one and lead the soul across this ocean of life to salvation, just as a boat takes a person across the ocean. All the saints say that in this universe, which is endless, the sat shabda (Divine Word -- Melody) is itself the soul and God, and is itself the support of the soul to reach its destination. That Word is like a magnet that attracts the soul. Surati (Soham Surati) which, in reality, is the same as the soul, is reached when the mind is concentrated on ajapa (unuttered Sound or Word)." (Prakash Mani Gita: On Surat Shabd Yoga Sadhana, Dharamdasi Kabir Panth text about Inner Sound Meditation Practice)

"Abstract Sound is called Saut-e Sarmad by the Sufis; all space is filled with it. The vibrations of this Sound are too fine to be either audible or visible to the material eyes or ears, since it is even difficult for the eyes to see the form and color of the ethereal vibrations on the external plane. It was the Saut-e Sarmad, the Sound of the abstract plane, which Muhammad heard in the cave of Ghar-e Hira when he became lost in his divine Ideal. The Qur'an refers to this Sound in the words, 'Be! and all became.' Moses heard this very Sound on Mount Sinai, when in communion with God; and the same Word was audible to Christ when absorbed in his Heavenly Father in the wilderness. Shiva heard the same Anhad Nada during his Samadhi [deep meditation] in the cave of the Himalayas. The flute of Krishna is symbolic of the same Sound. This Sound is the source of all revelation to the Masters, to whom it is revealed from within; it is because of this that they know and teach one and the same truth." (Hazrat Khan, The Sufi Message Series, II, The Mysticism of Sound)

"The person, who is in tune with the universe, becomes like a radio receiver through which the Voice of the universe is transmitted." (Hazrat Khan)


God is the Ocean of Love and All-Consciousness.

In Divine Light and Sound, Gnosis, Peace, Jai Sat Naam, Radhasoami, Jai Guru, 
James

* Website:

* Introduction to Sant Mat Spirituality and Meditation:

* The Sant Mat Radhasoami Blog and Satsang E-Newsletter:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Saturday, September 20, 2014

Hearing the Celestial Sound Current During Meditation -- Discourse on Inner Sound Meditation


Hearing the Celestial Sound Current During Meditation -- Discourse on Inner Sound Meditation






 
 
Below is some material from Shiv Brat Lal, Maharshi Mehi, Swami Santsevi Ji, and Swami Vyasanand about inner Sound Meditation, useful points from rare writings of Sant Mat that some may benefit from.

"Various sorts of Sound Currents reverberate in the human system from which the initiate has to pick up the right one and listen to it, otherwise he will go astray and lose his equipoise. The practical Guru forewarns his disciple and directs which Sound to listen to and which one to discard." (Shiv Brat Lal)

"...Only the Central Sound has the power to attract the consciousness to the center and carry the soul to the center of a higher realm. Other illusory material sounds do not have that magnetism to attract the consciousness to the higher realms." (Swami Vyasanand)

The Masters teach that the world -- indeed many realms -- are illusion, and that on inner planes there are many reflections or copies of higher realities. There are phenomena than can imitate or mimic spiritual experiences. There are even realms that to some extent might appear to be heavens or copies of Sach Khand. Hall of Mirrors. Matrix. Labyrinth. Astral fly-paper. In this world there is the illusion of the master, a meat-eating guru offering instruction and initiation, but also who says ethics do not matter -- the illusion of having a spiritual teacher. The illusion of satsang. The illusion of enlightenment. One can stare at a bright light or contemplate the flame of a candle, then close one's eyes in a darkened room and continue to see a kind of photo-like retinal image of that candle -- an optical illusion of inner light. Some electronic devices and electrical appliances generate white noise, humming sounds, or high frequency ringing tones and overtones. These to some extent can mimic inner spiritual Sounds -- the illusion of the Sound Current.

Sometimes in the news there have been reports about people hearing a mysterious sound that seems to be coming from nowhere. One of these has been called "the Taos Hum." In, Philosophy of Liberation, Maharshi Mehi states that not only are there spiritual sounds associated with the heavenly realms, but there are also many vibrations or semi-subtle sounds associated with the gross-material realm. He says one should not falsely assume they are accessing the real inner Sound Current just by hearing ANY kind of sound that may manifest itself in one's perception during the silence of meditation: "There are sounds due to gross vibrations in the material body. To meditate on these gross-material sounds and believe it to be as the full practice of the Yoga of Sound shows a lack of knowledge of Yoga." There are gross-material sounds one can hear in the silence of meditation that do not lead one Above, do not lead to spiritual growth, transformation or enlightenment. Swami Vyasanand:

"This is because only the Central Sound has the power to attract the consciousness to the center and carry the soul to the center of a higher realm. Other illusory material sounds do not have that magnetism to attract the consciousness to the higher realms."

There are inner Sounds that one receives instruction from a true Master about at the time of initiation into Surat Shabd Yoga (Inner Sound Meditation, the Yoga of the Audible Life Stream). These Sounds are perceived to come from the right side or center and represent the Ascending Current. Sounds that appear to be coming from the left side are of the descending current flowing downward into the material creation or multiverse. One is instructed to focus on the Sounds of the Ascending Current or Audible Life Stream -- certain Sounds. There are of course many other sounds one might hear, but one has to focus on certain Sound Currents. The reason for this is these Sounds, if focused upon during meditation practice, will keep pulling the soul’s attention up to ever higher and higher levels. These are coming from regions Above. Other sounds, though mistaken for the Sound Current, are interesting, miraculous or even mystical, will not help the Surat-soul to ascend or make spiritual progress.

"Various sorts of Sound Currents reverberate in the human system from which the initiate has to pick up the right one and listen to it, otherwise he will go astray and lose his equipoise. The practical Guru forewarns his disciple and directs which Sound to listen to and which one to discard." (Shiv Brat Lal)

"I have heard accounts of some practitioners who follow unusual sound meditation practices and claim to hear sounds. However, these gross-material sounds are imaginary or generated by metabolic functions and blood circulation. An ear disease can also create a humming sound that can be mistaken for the inner Divine Sound." (Swami Vyasanand)

Shiv Brat Lal: "The devotee in his spiritual journey upwards hears sweet melodies which attract him. The melodies are a powerful magnetic force which draws the attention inwards and makes it fully attuned to proceed up and up."

Maharshi Mehi in, Philosophy of Liberation: "Each of the Sounds of the centers of the five realms possesses an attribute to draw Surat (the consciousness) upward to its center. The Essential Sound or Pure Spiritual Sound has the attribute to draw one’s consciousness up to the Supreme Sovereign [God]. The other mayavi sounds (material Sounds mentioned above) of each of the respective five realms have the attribute to attract the person who hears it (or focuses on it) and to draw that person’s Surat (consciousness) to the Sound of the realm directly above. Further, for the practitioner, the realization of the Essential Divine Sound is impossible without first attaining the Sounds of the lower realms. Sar Shabda (the Essential Divine Sound) beckons a return to the Supreme Sovereign. The progression of Sound in all centers of the realms is upward, carrying one’s consciousness from the lower centers to the higher centers ultimately reaching the Supreme Sovereign God." -- Philosophy Of Liberation: https://spiritualawakeningradio.com/Philosophy_Of_Liberation_Sant_Mat.pdf

In, The Inward Journey of the Soul (Chal Hansa Nij Desh), Swami Vyasanand says, "The question arises: What is the secret of correct technique for Shabd (Sound) meditation? Sant Radhaswami says: 'Focus your consciousness stream on the Inner Space. You will find the Divine Sound which will lead you beyond the snares of this illusory world.' You should focus your consciousness or inner Current in the middle of the eyebrows -- the meeting point of the Ida and Pingla channels -- which is known as the tenth gate, Sushumna, Ajna Chakra or third eye. The practitioner will attain one-pointedness through this practice. In other words, the subtlest and most luminous sign of the light realm (bindu) will appear. With that luminous sign the inner Sound will also manifest.

"Sant Paltu Sahab says; 'Out from that burning light comes the Divine Sound, and only the one immersed in the Samadhi (meditation) of Divine knowledge can hear, none other.' This is the Sound that is heard when concentrating on that first mark of light. Due to carelessness, it is possible to also hear the other sounds of the lower realms that have the potential to distract the consciousness Current. It is conceivable then, that the upward ascent of consciousness becomes distracted, thus creating a hindrance in progress. This is because only the Central Sound has the power to attract the consciousness to the center and carry the soul to the center of a higher realm. Other illusory material sounds do not have that magnetism to attract the consciousness to the higher realms.

-- Swami Vyasanand Ji Maharaj

More from Swami Vyasanand: Sant Kabir Sahab says: "A rare practitioner who abides by the knowledge given by the Guru listens to the subtle Sound of Inner Space. First that Sound emanates from the bindu or Ajna Chakra (third eye). A practitioner who can withdraw his mind from the nine gates of the body and concentrate in the tenth gate, he or she alone is able to hear that subtle Sound."

Sant Tulsi Sahab says: "Enter into the Inner empty Space (Shunya) of Sushumna and listen to the Sound that is beckoning you toward the Divine. This Sound has been vibrating since the beginning of creation. If you want to meet your True Friend (Supreme Being) then constantly and carefully listen to that Sound. This body is the sacred holy place (Ka'ba, the holiest place in Islam) created by the Divine, and within it is found the arch (the higher realms of macrocosm beginning from the tenth gate). It is the inner sanctum within, in which is found the Divine Sound reverberating. O practitioner, listen with full concentration; the Sound that originated from the Divine is constantly reverberating and calling you."

Someone must have asked, generally, if the Sound is not heard with the physical ears then with what kind of ear is this subtle Sound heard? When the mind becomes concentrated, then the physical sense of hearing becomes quiet and one does not hear. This occurs because the attention withdraws from the senses and one is unable to hear physical sound.

In response Sant Tulsi Sahab says: "A practitioner who is able to focus in the Sushumna or the tenth gate for some time will experience the opening of the inner subtle hearing faculty. That inner sense of hearing is also known as the consciousness Current." My Guru Maharshi Mehi says: "A practitioner hears the sweet Sound of the flute through the  stream of inner consciousness."

When the outer ear ceases to hear and the mind is fully concentrated within, then the inner hearing opens up and the practitioner can hear the Divine Sound within (through the inner ear). From this, do not infer that a deaf person could easily hear that inner Sound, because complete concentration is the key, not a lack of physical hearing. Sants have articulated about the closing of three gates of the body to experience the inner Sound. The three gates are eyes, ears, and mouth. Close these and, only then, can one hear the inner Sounds. According to Sant Kabir: "Close your eyes, ears, and mouth, and listen to the Anahad (inner Unstruck Divine Sound)." Sant Nanak Sahab says: "Close the three gates and listen to the reverberation of the Divine Sound." Sant Maharshi Mehi  and also Sufi Sants have used similar vocabulary to describe the process of closing three openings for hearing the inner Sound.

I have heard accounts of some practitioners who follow unusual sound meditation practices and claim to hear sounds. However, these gross-material sounds are imaginary or generated by metabolic functions and blood circulation. An ear disease can also create a humming sound that can be mistaken for the inner Divine Sound. Some false gurus boast about their imaginary inner experiences of Divine Light and Sound in order to impress their followers.

Other Hatha Yogis perform postures (asanas) such as mula bandh (contracting the muscles of lower organs), uddiyana bandha (contracting the abdominal muscles and diaphragm that involves breathing exercises), and jalandhara bandha (throat lock to the flow of energy in the nerves and blood flow in the neck). Some practitioners use ketchari mudra (touching the root of the palate with the tongue) and attempt sound meditation in that mudra. Still others try to listen from the right or from the left ear. Some listen from below 'the tenth gate' and others above 'the tenth gate.' Some press their eardrums with their fingers and hear vibrations and think them to be the Divine Sound. Some stare at the tip of the nose; some listen to music in the dark, and some in the light. Some place their head down, others straighten their chest. In today's world, in the name of the Divine Sound there is a prevalence of a great variety of illusory and imaginary practices claiming to be techniques of Sound meditation. These are not only against the teachings of Sants but are also incapable of providing any real inner experience of Divine Sound.

Sant Tulsi Sahab declares: "Without the true knowledge of the Yoga of Sound, all efforts are hopeless. Only a Satguru who is accomplished can impart this knowledge about the different forms of Sound." Therefore, Maharshi Mehi says, "Practicing Sound Yoga (Inner Sound Meditation) is not child’s play." Sant Kabir says: "Without practice of this Sound meditation man is subjected to birth and death." Therefore having learned from an accomplished teacher, the practitioner would gain the ability to hear the Celestial, not illusory, sounds.

Closing of the Ears in Meditation

The closing of the eyes, ears, and mouth is used to help tune out the distractions caused by the outer senses. This is essential for the purpose of focusing one's gaze in the Sushumna. Therefore, in the initial stages it is advised that the practitioner close these three senses of sight, hearing, and speaking. Consequently, the mind begins to be focused in the third eye. For those whose consciousness stream has become mature in the power of concentration, it is not necessary to close these three sensory organs. This is due to the fact that the practitioner's mind is focused on the target of the 'third eye' becomes detached from the senses and is no longer held by experiences arising from the sensory objects.

The secret of practicing Sound Yoga is to attach the consciousness to the center of the 'third eye.' It is necessary for the following reasons: First, by not following this instruction, the practitioner will be distracted by the lower physical sounds imbued by rajas guna (passion) and tamas guna (dark inertia). The consciousness Current would not be able to grasp the Nada (Essential Central Sound) and ascend to the higher realms. It gives the practitioner only a satisfaction of listening to a sound -- but not the true benefit of the experience of the Sar Shabd (the Essential Sound)...

-- Swami Vyasanand, The Inward Journey of the Soul (Chal Hansa Nij Desh)


Swami Santsevi Ji Maharaj in, "Quintessence of Yoga, The Secrets of Success", writes: "Closing the ears when we hear the Divine Sound within ourselves is the best approach. There is no harm in it. We can include this along with other practices. This practice of inner Sound can go on in the night, because there is no noise at that time and environment is peaceful...When the inner Divine Sound merges into the imperishable Supreme Lord, there is the absolute State of Soundlessness (the Ultimate Reality)."

You may ask, what does it mean to "close the ears"? There is a technique initiates learn to do just that in order to focus on inner Sound. Also, sometimes people use earplugs to block outer sounds during inner Sound practice [bhajan]. But there is another meaning. Some clarification is given in the book, "Harmony of All Religions", by Santsevi Ji, who states that closing the ears is primarily an internal reality that occurs after one's awareness [attention] has gone within: "When you focus your gaze within the ajna chakra [third eye] then automatically your physical ears will close and the inner ears will open."


ALSO SEE the article, The Yoga of Sound -- Exploring Sound Meditation (Auditory Mysticism, Surat Shabd Yoga): https://SantMatRadhasoami.Blogspot.com/2013/09/the-yoga-of-sound-exploring-sound.html

ALSO SEE, All About the Sound -- Light and Sound on the Path: https://SantMatRadhasoami.Blogspot.com/2011/10/all-about-sound.html



Kirpal Singh: "Once the life-stream becomes audible, one is never lonely; for he hears its reverberations at home and abroad. The Voice of God keeps reminding him of the true home of his Father.  The practice of Sound Principle rids one of all troubles and afflictions..."

 
 
 
 

 




Thursday, January 13, 2011

Spiritual Awakening Radio PODcasts: January 2011



Spiritual Awakening Radio PODcasts
  
Exploring the World of Spirituality, Comparative Religion, Mysticism, Meditation, Inner Light and Sound, the Path of the Masters, the Vegetarian Vegan diet for a Sustainable Planet, and Books


"O Soul (Surat)! Who are you and whence have you come? This world is a net spread by the mind. Why do you get entangled in it? You are a ray from the Purush (the Supreme Being) and an inhabitant of the purely Spiritual Region." (Shiv Dayal Singh)


"Consistent with the concept of flow, mystics say that only when the mind is stilled and attention is concentrated firmly at the Wisdom Eye, does the Audible Life Stream have the magnetic effect." (Alistair Conwell)


"Believed to be the most fundamental way that the God-power manifests itself to human consciousness, the Audible Life Stream is considered by mystics to be like a spiritual highway along which all souls will have to travel in order to reach the source of this power.....In a very real sense the Audible Life Stream is a cosmic symphony to which all things, seen and unseen, unknowingly dance. Underpinning all physical and spiritual levels of creation; this symphony is endlessly being performed at the very essence of our being, since we are a microcosm of the entire universe." (Alistair Conwell)


For Spiritual Awakening Radio Podcasts, 
GO TO:
 


 
 
  

 
Upcoming Programs on Buddhist Inner Sound and Light Mysticism


1/18/2011 Buddhist Inner Sound Meditation Part 1: Michele Michael, recounting the life and spiritual quest of Edward Salim Michael (1921-2006), author of a spiritual classic in the Buddhist community called, "The Law of Attention - Nada Yoga and the Way of Inner Vigilance", about encountering the sacred inner Sound. 


"When meditating with this Nada [Inner Mystic Sound], it is essential that the aspirant always seek and follow the particular aspect of it that is most subtle and 'ultra' in pitch as well as in brilliance. Even when the Sound becomes very shrill and loud in moments of deep concentration, he [or she] must not be tempted to be satisfied with it merely because it is sharp and resonant. He should relentlessly attempt to rise further and further into ever more subtle spheres of its mysterious Invisible Kingdom." (Edward Salim Michael, "The Law of Attention - Nada Yoga and the Way of Inner Vigilance", Published by Inner Traditions books of Vermont)


1/25/2011 Buddhist Inner Sound Meditation Part 2: Readings from the Shurangama Sutra (on the Transcendental Hearing of Quan Yin, the Compassionate One), Edward Salim Michael, Ajahn Sumedho, Dzogchen Ponlop, and other sources.


"You can experience the sound of silence in the mind. You hear it as a kind of high frequency sound, a ringing sound."  -- Ajahn Sumedho


"When the aspirant has recognized this Nada [Inner Sound] and familiarized himself well enough with it, he will perceive that, contrary to the ever-changing inner and outer conditions that he was used to up to that moment, this mystical Sound has a strange unearthly continuity about it. In addition to the description of this Sound given in the previous chapter, it can also be compared to the soft whisper of the wind and the continuous hissing noise of the ocean waves, with a shrill "ultra" Sound on top of it, composed of all the harmonics in the Universe. On higher spheres, this sacred Nada will have a strange sort of silvery aspect to it, somewhat similar to the uninterrupted jingling Sound of very little pieces of glass, with other smaller, ever more subtle Sounds superimposed on it, until finally these finer Sounds seem to disappear into infinity." (Edward Salim Michael, "The Law of Attention - Nada Yoga and the Way of Inner Vigilance", Published by Inner Traditions)


All for the love of wisdom and radio,
James Bean



Mission Statement: 'There's not just one religion -- there are thousands! After years of being concerned that too few voices, too few points of view were getting heard when it comes to spiritual paths and world religions -- that the radio airwaves were not reflecting the diversity that really exists -- I started producing my own programs, exploring the world of spirituality, comparative religion, meditation, mysticism, websites, the vegetarian vegan diet, and books, bringing to the airwaves: the gentle voices of Saints, the Wisdom of Masters or Mystics, world scriptures, sacred texts, the great spiritual traditions and classics of the East & the West.' 


Interests: Exploring the World of Spirituality, Comparative Religion, Meditation, Websites, and Books, Including World Scriptures, Gnostic Texts, Spiritual Classics, Guidance by Living Teachers, and Other Books that Matter -- A Format of Essays and Interviews