THE SOUND OF THE HEART

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The sound alike prana has its coarser and subtler manifestations.

As our consciousness is more open and subtler our reception of sound vibrations is subtler.

In our subtle (energy) body there are energy centers (chakras). These are the places where the energy channels (nadis) are crossed. Electric and magnetic energy flows through the chakra and as energy centers and channels are more free and open the reception of electromagnetic vibrations is stronger.

 

This vibration is called sound.

As sound cannot travel through the vacuum so vibrations cannot flow through blocked energy channels.

As in all paths of Yoga (unification, self-realization, liberation) so the Nada Yoga is a mean and a goal.

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OM is a primordial sound. As the ancient Indian sages recognized it is a sound that can be heard in every waterfall, in every movement of the wind, in every cell.

OM is a mantra, a vibration of consciousness or an instrument of the mind. Man means the word mind and Tra  means liberation.

At the moment when we sing OM or other mantras we switch off all our thoughts. This state leads us to a higher state of mind, Pratyahara (retreat of senses), a perfect calmness and at the same time a perfect presence.

Since our spiritual birth, in our being the impressions of all kind have been stored, These are the Samskaras (not to be confused with Samsara which is the wheel of death and rebirth) and chanting OM or other mantras, mentally or loudly can free us of those impressions, or it can help us to process them.

Nada is the Anahata itself, the heart chakra, the seat of cosmic sound. Inner voices are not necessarily a sign of illness. Nada Yoga is the union of the inner universe with external, the internal sound with external sound, a microcosm (human body) with the macrocosm (Brahmanda).

Nada yoga, by listening to inner sounds leads to Laya Yoga.

It is the Yoga of the subtle transcendental sound vibrations.

People with a higher level of consciousness can hear their own heart chakra. These experiences are entirely authentic just like the entire Yoga Sadhana, the Yoga Practice.

In India Nada Yoga is highly respected. Chanting Gayatri or Pranava mantra (chanting OM mantra) and /or using a singing bowls Nada Yoga is used as a therapy.

In order to chant OM one does not have to be religious. The OM syllable is a: A, U and M.

Chanting OM is very simple and, again, everyone can chant it either mentally, whispering or loudly. It is a primordial sound and if a person dedicates himself to nature and its sounds he will very quickly recognize it.

There are people who through dedicated practice of one Yoga or another brought their consciousness to self-realization.

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Swan or Hamsa is a symbol of a pure soul. According to ancient Indian scriptures the OM (AUM) mantra as well as higher consciousness are represented by the form of a swan:

The right wing of the swan carries the mantra A, the left wing mantra U and the tail the mantra M.

Ardhamantra (ardha means half) is the sound that occurs when the air passes through the nasal cavities during the pronunciation and this is his head.

The legs are three gunas (three characteristics of the nature of all bodies).

The body is tattwa (elements).

The right eye is dharma (what appears to be during life, which maintains, rightness), left adharma (a-is not).

On his legs, knees, waist, navel, in his heart, on the neck and between the eyes, there are seven regions (arch): bhuh, bhuvah, svah, mahah, jana, tapah and satya.

It is said that a hamsayogin (sitting on the swan) is not touched by any sin.

The man’s consciousness is then in the true reality, in a true and continued bliss. When the spirit fully merges with that reality behind the gunas and ordinary senses it is said that a man is united in Yoga. Such a realized man naturally refuses attachment to his body and to the society.

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In one of the seated postures:

– simple sitting position with legs crossed (sukhasana),

– a semi-lotus position (ardha padmasana), the foot touches the inside of the opposite thigh, the other foot rests on the thigh,

– full lotus (padmasana) – the upper sides of both feet rest on the thighs,

– accomplished or perfect yogic posture for men (siddhasana) – right foot to the inside of the thigh where the heel presses the perineum (part of the body between the genitals and anus), toes and the outside of the left foot between the thigh and the calf of the right leg,

– complete or perfect posture for women (siddha yoni asana) – the reverse of siddhasana, yoni means the womb. Siddha is a perfect, accomplished, powerful soul, which of course does not mean that everyone who sits in the siddhasana is a perfect, accomplished, powerful soul who has realized her being, meaning carefully with self-diagnosis and diagnosis.

– or in the position of pure happiness of existence (swastikasana) – as siddhasana, without touching the perineum. Swastika is a symbol of the unification of all sides of the universe at its center.

 

While sitting in one of these positions, the inner sound of OM in the right ear is heard.

 

This sound is called anahathanada, the sound of the heart. When a man focuses on the Nada sound it suppresses external sounds and thus brings both “wings” of the pranava mantra under control. This brings him to the fourth state of consciousness.

Chanting is at first louder and over time the sound will be brought to the most subtle vibrations.

At first, the yogi can hear the sound of the sea, clouds, weaker sound of drum or the sound of the fountain.

During careful listening to the inner sounds of yoga one needs to look for the subtle ones. So a man will focus his concentration and isolate himself from external sounds.

As in everything energy flows where it is directed. If a man can fully concentrate on the inner sound, both himself and the Nada melt with that sound.

When a man merge himself with Nada he can unity himself with the inner space of consciousness (chidakasha). In this state of complete self-control and the most honest practice, he slowly enters the state of non-mind. This state occurs when a person completely and effortlessly separates himself from thought.

The idea of ​​space is present as much as the words (sounds) are present.

The mind is present as long there is a sound.

When the sounds are conquered by the mind itself a man comes to the experience of his higher being. The mind becomes a non-mind and it merges with the ultimate truth.

Over time the mind becomes firm and the concentration becomes steady without practice. It occurs effortless.

This state is called the state of the Brahmapranava (brahma – the consciousness of the universe, pranava – the sound of AUM).

 

The man who has united himself with Nada is free from suffering. He experiences moksha, liberation.

Such realized being will continue to live as “dead” in relation to earthly life.