Nityananda Nityananda was a renunciate who lived in India in the early 20th Century. People got some experience just being in his presence. He did not talk so much and when he did his words were often enigmatic, not "rational" sounding. For example, when he says “breathe deeper and deeper” does he mean to inhale more deeply or to follow the breath deeper inside oneself? Although there is beauty and power in his expression, there isn't much detail. The people at the Supreme Meditation Ashram have an online compilation of things he said called the Chidaksh Gita, along with commentary and stories of his life. Sound arises in the inner sky of pure consciousness, the heart-space in the head, the sky of the heart. What manifests is Life-Power, the One ... Fulfillment is only possible when you merge with this pure heart. There all idea of “you” and “I” disappears. In the sky of the heart is liberation, love and devotion." Breathe, concentrating on the sound the breath produces. Concentrate on the sound, which is produced internally. Have faith in the internal sound and breathe. Breathe in…. Breathe deeper and deeper. Breathe in so that the internal sound may be audible to the ears. Do not think of anything else.
the mind becomes steady. When the vital breath turns upward, divine wisdom enters every nerve and divine peace is the result.
Omkar is like a stage manager in a drama. As it works through the bodies of men, those bodies are pervaded by Omkar. This syllable is inside us, outside us and everywhere. It is the cause of everything that exists. We need not bring it up to consciousness anywhere. That sound exists in everything. We need not recall it separately to memory. This energy is not divisible but indivisible. The human body is a string of Om, all that is—inside us, outside us—is born of Om. The subtle is in the chakras (centers of consciousness in the body). In the subtle channels is the kundalini shakti (divine energy stored in the body)—together they are Om. Realize and know the subtle. In time, the Om sound is heard in the head. This sound, though truly one and undivided, Can manifest as many-- The roar of the sea, Notes of the flute, violin or harmonium, Beating of drums or bells, even The buzzing of bees. These are the ten sounds of the One subtle sound, indivisible Sufi Grand Master Sufism evolved in places like Iran and India. At first Sufism was suppressed. Later it became more accepted, as they put their expressions in the language of the dominant religion. Today many people around the world have come to appreciate Sufism. Although they meditate through chanting, poetry, prayer,music and dance, you will find here a beautiful Way of Silence. Taken from the conversations of Dr. Vladimir Antonov with an anonymous Sufi mystic. Quoted with the kind permission of the author. Find more at: http://yoga.swami-center.org/page_14. shtml.
“… He (Allah) taught Me to listen to the quietness… “First, one has to learn listening to the sounds around: the sound of the wind, the lapping of waves, the calls of birds, the crackle of a fire… After that, one can start listening to the quietness. “I came to know that all various sounds are local and transient, while the quietness is omnipresent and eternal. Beneath all sounds existing in the universe, there spreads infinitely the Great Quietness. “For hours I could listen to the sounds of the world — beautiful and diverse, and then I would ‘release’ Myself and ‘sink’ into it — into the quietness. There I could see the clear transparence of the quietness, hear its silence. I could freely and easily swim in it, submerge to the very Depths of it… Gradually the Great Quietness became My home… “From there, I saw that all sounds of the worlds are as if created by the Great Quietness. I saw how its breathing fills from within all forms of life — and they sound as a well-trained choir of various musical instruments. Like flowers, sounds unfold for a moment in the eternity of the Great Quietness…” “By the way, for beginners it is more beneficial to listen to the space around. By listening, you can embrace a much larger volume of space; you can even hear that which you cannot see. “He who has learned to listen can become the Master of Quietness. “The quietness gives you calm. “The peculiar feature of the quietness is that it gets filled with you. “The quietness — as a result of studying and cognizing it — becomes filled with you and with God… “Allah suggests cognizing Him through this method.” … We told Him: “But You have missed an essential point: one has to listen to the quietness not with the ears which are on the head, but with the hearing of the spiritual heart…” “… But the most confidential thing which I taught and which alone opens the gate to the Allah’s Abode is what the anahata chakra (heart center) is, how to develop oneself through it, how to learn to go outside of it in order to settle and live in the new Home — in the Abode of Allah." TANTIC MEDITATION "VIGYANA BHAIRAVA" Aphorisms on Practice Are you ready for Tantric Meditation? I mean 112 ways of meditation as found in the VIGYANA BHAIRAVA? Every possible meditation technique in short, concise and sometimes strange verses! The whole of it makes up one beautiful flowing song, such that I have hesitated to quote isolated parts of it. Just reading through it one can feel a blissful space. But don't be lazy, don't just read it -- do something! The VIGYANA BHAIRAVA came out of the valley of Kashmir in the Himalayas. It is framed in colorful local mythology as a question-and-answer dialog between Bhairava and his consort, Bhairavi -- symbolizing the two aspects of the One Supreme -- absolute consciousness and its creative energy. There are certain qualifications given for the student at the end of the text. I assume that if you have read this far into the page you pass them. ~ O Goddess! I have given you the ultimate, unsurpassed mystical teachings. Let them only be taught to generous beings, to those who revere their master teacher's lineage, to intuitive minds freed from wavering and uncertainty, and to those who will practice them. That's all, but it's a lot. The only qualification we may have trouble meeting is regarding the master. A real master teacher would be one who awakens the student's shakti or meditative energy. That would facilitate the practices being experienced spontaneously and to the fullest degree. The only problem is that such masters are not generally found here in Miami ! Well, we have to do the best we can. Tantra is a practical way for the person in the world. Nowhere in this list of qualifications does it say you have to be vegetarian, celibate, of high caste, male, or have a lot of free time available for long practices -- as in so many of the Eastern teachings. Nor does it say your guru has to be of the Brahamin caste and have the corner on the market. Nor are is the work some dry philosophical thing. Nor are these practices religious in nature. At one point Bhairavi asks Bhairava about this:
Who enters contemplation? Who is contemplated? ~ O Gazelle-Eyed One, religious practices are of the external path ... The Tantric's practice is only the contemplation of the highest reality. That which resonates spontaneously in oneself is our mystic prayer."
some tangible thing, such as a desire or the breath, we then drop into a transcendental experience. We should not be expecting some huge cosmic release, although it could happen! Be satisfied with small results -- consciousness is subtle. Some of the practices are obviously to be done in daily life, others seem to be for sitting meditation -- and the author cleverly does not specify which way it should be. Which practices you try out and do, and how you do them, is up to you.Experiment! You may find something that serves you well for the rest of your life! There is much to gain: ~ One who realizes just one of these dharanas (practices) becomes the embodiment of pure being. One's words get fulfilled. The power to transmit divine energy at will is attained. One becomes free from the miseries of aging. One acquires supernormal powers. One is cherished by yogini and yogin ... Liberated in the midst of activity, one is free.
Follow "the middle path" of moderation and balance. Don't let it take you away from practical life and common sense. Nor should the large number of these practices confuse you. As Bhairava says "just one of these practices". Consider the whole thing as poetry, inspiration. Furthermore, it is recommended to practice under the guidance of a teacher. In fact, if you are involved in some system of meditation, you will probably find that a number of dharanas given here are descriptive of what you are already experiencing!
"How to reach that absolute fullness which transcends all description and abolishes time and space? Can you answer in common language?"
Where in-breath and out-breath are born and die At the top and the bottom Experience infinite space With relaxed body When exhaling and inhaling Lose your mind and perceive your heart The energy center from where the absolute essence flows When you have breathed in or out completely When the breath movement stops on its own In this universal lull The thought of "me" disappears And the shakti reveals herself With the attention between the eyebrows Let the mind be free from dualistic thought Let your form be filled with breath-essence Up to the top of the head There, be in a radiant space
spontaneously, to the extent that it can. Even just closing the eyes and sitting still -- you notice the breathing becoming shallower. This is emphasized when Bhairava says "when the breath stops on its own" and when "the shakti reveals herself". Then, when the shakti as meditative energy is awakened, it directs the meditation. Then, even such processes as "the attention on the eyebrows", for example, happen spontaneously as the shakti directs. Thus, if these are wilful practices, at the most they are just a slight placing of the attention -- and then letting go and letting God as they say. Especially the transcendent result such as "being in a radiant space has to just happens. I am not a grammarian, but I feel the use of the word " LET" in all these verses would best bring out their meaning -- LET it all happen, don't get in the way , don't force it, don't manipulate. In this light all these 112 dharanas become just something very simple and natural. The center of spontaneous sound resonates on its own Like the flow of a waterfall Enter that Stopping your ears with your fingers Hear the sound of sounds Reach Brahman, the immensity O Bhairavî, slowly sing OM The mantra of the love union of Shiva and Shakti Enter the sound When it fades away, slip into freedom Visualize a syllable Be filled by its radiance With open awareness enter its sound Then a subtler and subtler sensation When the syllable dissolves into space, be free Intone a word ending in "AH" with all feeling With the "H" sound let yourself be swept away By the gushing flow of wisdom What a beautiful summary of some of the main practices of mantra meditation! The first verse I have selected again emphasizes the necessary spontaneous nature of the experience. How can you "try " to hear that cosmic sound? We need the awakening contact of a guru and dedicated practice. The "visualize a syllable" verse is bija mantra meditation (seed sound) in its pure essence. Words ending in the "AH sound" include so many holy words -- alleluja, eloha, rama, namashivaya -- only they would have to be used meditatively, slowly and then into the silence. Through Visualization Contemplate the luminous spatiality of your body Radiating in every direction, you Thus free yourself from duality Merge into space
See all space as contained in your head The brilliance Focus on a blazing fire Rising from your feet and burning you entirely Then only ashes left scattered by the wind Know the tranquillity of space returning to itself O beautiful one! Dissolve your senses in your Heart Space Perceive the essence of the shakti An indescribable fine gold powder Glittering in your heart and pouring out into space. Experience supreme bliss Laying flat, see your body as supportless Let your thought dissolve into space Then the contents of the inner mind will dissolve too You will experience pure presence, freed from dreams
least not all together! The last one is an excellent way to do savasana, the corpse pose in hatha yoga -- more appealling to me than concentrating on you right foot, then you right leg, etc.etc.! And lastly, several useful dharanas for living in the world: Through Ordinary Experience Fix your mind in your heart during activity Thus agitation will disappear In a few days, the indescribable When you meet with a loved one Be in this bliss totally Penetrate the luminous space When eating or drinking Become the delicious taste Be filled with delight Through this, taste supreme bliss
Or pleasure from other senses Immerse yourself in the joy You reach the divine At the point of sleep When the sleep has not yet come Yet external wakefulness vanishes At this very point, know the supreme goddess Dance to exhaustion in utter spontaneity Then, suddenly drop to the ground Completely surrendering yourself Absolute essence is revealed
Before thinking "who am I?" Such is the nature of the Self Know the deep space of the real When a desire comes, consider it Then, suddenly drop it
In that very instant seize the empty space This is the very essence of meditation When there arises a mood against someone Or for someone Do not place it on the person in question Remain centered In extreme desire, anger, greed, confusion, pride or envy Enter your own heart Discover the underlying peace
Any particular knowledge is deceptive When thirst for knowledge arises Immediately realize the spatiality of knowledge itself Be Shiva/Shakti
What is purity to the religious seems impure to the tantrika Be free of duality Consider nothing as pure or impure
An intuition comes from passionate devotion It flows into space and frees you You attain the domain of Shiva/Shakti
A version in very simple form and with commentary is given by Osho.
meritorious who come by it. The Truth is to be realized here in this life. It is vain to expect that things will change and improve after death in worlds that are happier than ours. The world you reach after the body is shed is determined by the level of consciousness reached while in the body. Verbal knowledge is of no avail for the destruction of the delusion of the world. It is wisdom to go straight to the essence of the scriptures, like the swan sipping milk out of water. Study them, know their essential truth and then leave them aside like husk after collecting the grain. Even a hundred years is too little, for half the life is spent in sleep and the other half is useless due to infancy, miseries, old age and what not. The Wolf of Time rushes upon everyone while they are still prattling of my children, my wife, my wealth, my relations. Death swallows them when they are still thinking of what is done, what is yet to be done and what is half-done. Therefore do today what is required to be ready tomorrow, do in the forenoon what is meant for the afternoon.
company acts as medicine. Only that one who has supreme knowledge is really human. There can be no Liberation (moksha)without Initiation (diksha). Beware, however, of pseudo-gurus. Intent on amassing wealth, showy, attired in disguise, they wander everywhere on this globe and throw others in delusion. They are to be shunned." NOTES on TANTRA
Nature is visible Intelligence; Intelligence is invisible Nature. The Spiritual & the Natural are not different. That which is spiritual is natural in its ascent & cause. That which is natural is spiritual in its descent and being. The Microscomic representative of the Macrocosmic Shakti ( Cosmic Power ), the Kundalini, sportest as the Six principles in the Six Chakras in Her Cosmic Play.
In the Throat Chakra , Thou sportest as the Ether-principle In the Heart Chakra, Thou sportest as Air- principle In the Solar Plexus Chakra, Thou art Fire-principle In the Navel Chakra , Thou exist as Water-principle In the Root Chakra, Thou art the Earth _Principle, O Mighty Mother ! And in the Crown Chakra, Thou sportest blissfully with thy beloved Consort ! She lies coiled in human beings as the Coiled Serpent Power ( Kundalini). She rises during Meditation and Yogic processes. Her rise can be felt by the meditator. When She rises, a subtle warmth will be felt in the body. Voice changes. Voice becomes musical, " propertied as the tuned spheres". The personality of the native becomes very attractive due to the influx of Jupiterian energy. Wisdom and learning grace the individual. When She rises further, torrential bliss will be felt. And when She reaches the Crown Chakra, it is Cosmic Consciousness for the native !"
The Essenes lived as communities apart in Palestine around the time of Jesus. They were known as being dedicated to the healing arts, natural living and meditation. Jesus is thought to have lived with them for a time. Indeed, their ancient scrolls treat him as one of their teachers. Their initiatic teachings were thought to come originally from Central Asia. According to their contemporaries the Essenes were "a race by themselves, more remarkable than any other in the world" and lived in a state of "a constant and unalterable holiness." In The Unknown Books of the Essenes, Book Two you can see how they were taught to pattern their life. I highly recommend reading it, out loud preferably. It is in very lyrical short verse form. Below I have made a selection from the last chapter of the Essene Book of Peace:
~ Into the innermost circle have you come, into the mystery of mysteries, that which was old when our father Enoch was young and walked the earth. Around and around have you come on your journey of many years, always following the path of righteousness, living according to the Holy Law and the sacred vows of our Brotherhood, and you have made of your body a holy temple wherein dwell the angels of God ... Now you shall know of the three laws of the angels, the mystery of the three Holy Streams and the ancient way to traverse them; so shall you bathe in the light of heaven and at last behold the revelation of the mystery of mysteries: the law of God, which is One. ~ Now in the hour before the rising of the sun, just before the angels of the Earthly Mother breathe life into the still sleeping earth, then do you enter into the Holy Stream of Life. It is your Brother Tree who holds the mystery of this Holy Stream, and it is your Brother Tree that you will embrace in your thought ... the power of the Holy Stream of Life will fill your whole body, and you will tremble before its might. Then breathe deeply of the angel of air, and say the word "Life" with the outgiving of breath. Then you will become in truth the Tree of Life which sinks its roots deep into the Holy Stream of Life from an eternal source. ~ In the heat of noontide, all creatures are still and seek the shade; the angels of the Earthly Mother are silent for a space. Then it is that you shall let into your ears the Holy Stream of Sound; for it can only be heard in the silence. Think on the streams that are born in the desert after a sudden storm, and the roaring sound of the waters as they rush past. Truly, this is the voice of God, if you did but know it. For as it is written, in the beginning was the Sound, and the Sound was with God, and the Sound was God ... And you shall bathe in the Stream of Sound, and the music of its waters shall flow over you; for in the beginning of the times so did we all share in the Holy Stream of Sound that gave birth to all creation. And the mighty roaring of the Stream of Sound will fill your whole body, and you will tremble before its might. Then breathe deeply of the angel of air, and become the sound itself. ~ Your thoughts before sleep are as the bow of the skillful archer, that sends the arrow where he wills. Let your thoughts before sleep be with the stars; for the stars are Light, and the Heavenly Father is Light, even that Light which is a thousand times brighter than the brightness of a thousand suns. Enter the Holy Stream of Light ...The Holy Light Stream will fill your whole body, and you will tremble before its might. Say the word "Light," as you breathe deeply of the angel of air, and you will become the Light itself... ~ More than this cannot be told, for the Holy Streams will take you to that place where words are no more, and even the Holy Scrolls cannot record the mysteries therein.
From Original Hebrew and Aramaic Texts Translated by EDMOND BORDEAUX SZEKELY "The Teachings of the Elect" The preceding quotes are my own cut outs. You should see the original book.
por Sogyal Rinpoche Cuando tu lees los libros sobre la meditación, o cuando la meditación es presentada por diversos grupos, el énfasis es mas que todo sobre las técnicas. En el mundo occidental, la gente tiende a estauy interesada en la "tecnología" de la meditación. Sin embargo, la característica más importante de la meditación no es la técnica, sino la postura, no tanto fisica sino más que todo se refiere a una actitud. Debemos reconocer que cuando comenzamos la práctica de la meditación, estamos incorporando una dimensión totalmente diferente. Normalmente en la vida ponemos mucho esfuerzo en la obtención de las cosas externas y hay muchas luchas que tenemos que superar, mientras que en la meditación es justamente lo contrario, la meditación el la ruptura de cómo funcionamos normalmente. La meditación es simplemente una cuestión de estar, de derretirse, como un pedazo de mantequilla dejada al sol. No tiene nada que ver con si tu "sabes" o nó, en hecho, cada vez que tu practicas la meditación tu tienes que estar fresco, como si sucediera por primera vez . Tu apenas siéntate con tu cuerpo relajado, silencioso, tu mente completamente tranquila, y permite que los pensamientos vengan y que vayan, sin dejarlos causar estragos en tu mente. Si tu necesitas algo que hacer, observa la respiración. Este es un proceso muy simple. Cuando tu estás respirando hacia fuera, siente que estás respirando hacia afuera. Cuando tu respiración hacia adentro, siente que tu estás respirando hacia adentro, sin proveer ninguna clase de comentario adicional o chisme mental, pero solo identificando la respiración. este proceso de la mente atenta es muy simple y procesa tus pensamientos y emociones, entonces, como una vieja piel se liberan. Generalmente la gente para relajar el cuerpo se concentran en diversas partes. Pero la relajación verdadera viene cuando te relajas de adentro hacia afuera entonces todo se facilitará y se hará absolutamente natural. Cuando tu comienzas a practicar, tu entras en contacto con tu "punto suave", y solamente permanece allí. Tu no necesitas centrarte en cualquier cosa en detalle para comenzar. Apenas se espacioso, y permite que los pensamientos y las emociones aparezcan. Si tu lo haces así, más tarde, cuando tu utilices un método tal como mirar la respiración, tu atención estará más fácilmente en tu respiración. No hay punto determinado en la respiración en el cual tu necesites centrarte, es simplemente el proceso de la respiración. Veinticinco por ciento de tu atención está en la respiración, y el setenta y cinco por ciento está relajado. Intenta identificarte realmente con la respiración, más que solamente mirarla. Tu puedes elegir un objeto, como una flor, por ejemplo, para enfocarte. A veces enseñan a visualizar una luz en la frente, o en el corazón. A veces un sonido o una mantra puede ser utilizado. Pero al principio es mejor simplemente ser espacioso, como el cielo, siente que eres el universo entero. Cuando te sientes, deja que todo se calme y permite que las cosas y todo lo que está en desacorde se disuelvan naturalmente, de aquí nace tu verdadero ser. Tu experimentas un aspecto el cuál es el "verdadero" tu. A medida que tu profundices más, tu comienzas a descubrir y a conectarte con tu calidad de amar que es la más fundamental. El punto clave de la meditación es el conseguir utilizar ese aspecto de el cual te has olvidado. En Tibetano meditación significa "acostumbrarse". Acostumbrarse a qué? a tu verdadera naturaleza, tu naturaleza de Buddha. Esta es la razón por la cual, en la enseñanza más alta de Buddismo, Dzogchen, a ti te dicen que descanases en la naturaleza de tu mente". Tu apenas te sientas y dejas que todos los pensamientos y conceptos se disuelvan. Es como cuando las nubes se disuelven o la niebla se evapora, así revelando el cielo claro y el sol que brilla detrás de ellas. Cuando todo se disuelve, tu comienzas a experimentar tu verdadera naturaleza, tu "vives!". Entonces tu lo sabes y en ese momento, te sientes realmente bien!. Está sensación de bienestar es completamente diferente a todas las que tu puedes hayas experimentado. Ésta es una experiencia verdadera y genuina, en la cual tu sientes una profunda paz, alegría y confianza sobre ti mismo. Es bueno que medites cuando te sientas inspirado. temprano en las mañanas puedes tener esa inspiración, pues los mejores momentos de la mente son temprano en el día, cuando la mente está más tranquila y más fresca (el tiempo tradicionalmente recomendado es antes del amanecer). El más apropiado para sentarse a meditar, porque no solamente es fácil sino que entonces te dará más confianza en la práctica, y tu podrás más adelante practicar cuando no estes inspirado. No hay necesidad de meditar por mucho tiempo: apenas permanece silencioso hasta que puedas entrar y conectarte con la esencia de tu corazón. Éste es el punto principal. Después de esto hay una cierta integración. Una vez que la mente atenta haya sido despertada por tu meditación, tu mente será tranquila y tus opiniones más coherentes. Entonces, estarás presente en todo lo que haces. Como en el refrán famoso del Zen: "cuando yo como, yo como; cuando duermo, duermo". Cualquiera cosa que hagas, tu estarás completamente presente en el acto. Así sea lavando platos, si se hace completamente, se puede decir que estarás más lleno de energía. Serás más pacífico, así eres más "tu". Te conviertes en el “tu” universal. Una de los puntos fundamentales del viaje espiritual es el perseverar a lo largo del camino. Aunque tu meditación puede ser buena un día y no tan buena el día siguiente, como cambios en el paisaje, esencialmente no son las experiencias, buenas o malas las que cuentan, pero cuando tu perseveras, la práctica verdadera aflora en ti y llega entre lo bueno y malo. Lo bueno y lo malo son simplemente espejismos, así como puede haber buen o mal tiempo, cielo siempre es el mismo. Si tu perseveras y tienes esa actitud del cielo espacioso, sin la perturbación de emociones y experiencias, tu desarrollarás estabilidad y la profundidad real del la meditación. Tu encontrarás esto gradualmente y casi inadvertidamente, tu actitud comienza a cambiar. Tu no te aferras a las cosas tan sólidamente como antes, y aunque se sucedan las crisis te mantendrás tranquilo, sabrás manejarlas y te darás cuenta que todas estas situaciones son risibles y vivirás con un corazón más alegre |
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Follow that good path"
something of what they were through a kind of osmosis of consciousness. The selections I here are basically ones that appealed to me and not necessarily the most representative. The masters quoted may be contemporary but they do represent ancient paths. The focus here is on practice -- whatever might give us insight into practice. Certainly the masters giving these teachings were beyond any need for practice, but they know the path from having traveled it. Often they were not really authors and were just responding verbally to questions -- others wrote their words down. Their words are succinct and profound and must be contemplated deeply. Enjoy! |
