Books - Eternity of Sound & The Science of Mantras
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Energies of Ïabda in the Living Laboratory of Human Body
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The human body is a wonderful ensemble of a large number of interacting systems – those constituting its anatomy and conducting the physiological, biological and molecular functions at the gross physical level and those involved in the processing of the brain and the mind towards regulating the former and the multiple activities of life. The harmonious functioning of these components would be sufficient for the maintenance of routine life – like that of any other species in its natural domain.
More important parts of this unique laboratory of life in the form of a human being are –– the mana (conscious and subconscious mind), buddhi (intellect), citta (unconscious mind), ahṁkāra(the sense of being) and theantaḥkaraṇa (super-conscious mind and the inner self) – in the sublime realms of mind.Those in the executive domain include – the ṣaṭ cakras, the twenty four upatyikās, the three granthīs9 , the iḍā, pingalā and suṣumā nāḍīs10 , the pancakośas11 the kunḍalinī12 and the sahastrāra, the subliminal nucleus (hidden in the inner core of the upper brain) of linkage with the divine consciousness.
In their quest for absolute truth, the ṛiṣis used to carry out all experiments and investigations in this ‘living laboratory’, which, as they found, contained the projection of the whole universe in itself. Rather than depending upon others, or using external means or consuming natural resources (to develop sophisticated devices/technologies....) and upsetting the ecological harmony, they preferred a truly self-reliant approach to develop and perform the spiritual experiments of the science of life on their own body and mind. They performed upāsana, yoga,sadhanā and tapaścaryā for this purpose. Their endeavors bestowed multiple boons of – the knowledge of the self, knowledge of the universe, realization of the absolute truth and, most importantly, the achievement of their noble goal of creating divine ambience in this mortal world.
The most remarkable result of their invaluable research was the decipheration that – the eternal energy of Śabda and Nādais the basic source of the origin and functioning of the miraculous living laboratory existing in a human being.
The manifestation of the power of Śabda in our vocal sound is called baikhari vāṇī; and that expressed via gestures and in the language of thoughts is called madhyamā vāṇī. The ‘voices’ of the deeper cores of the mind and the soul are termed respectively as parā vāṇī and paśyanti vāṇī.
The powers and effectiveness of these vāṇīs grow exponentially from baikhari to paśyanti. The words spoken by someone would become absolute if his baikhari vāṇī is empowered by the paśyanti. Spiritual endeavors of Śabda Yoga and Vāka Siddhi include purification and training to effectuate this evolution of vāṇī. The japa of mantrasare perfect only if uttered through such a refined voice.
As mentioned earlier, the creation (compilation) of mantrasis based on a splendid combination of the science of syllables and vowels emanated from the realization of Śabda Brahṁ and the science of the rhythmic impact of specific patterns of phonemes and musical notes – the science of Nāda Brahṁ. The effectiveness of the vācikajapa of mantras is proportional to the spiritual refinement of the baikhari vāṇī. The consistent observance of truth, austerity, piety and selflessness in thoughts, deeds and conduct is essential for effective success in the practices of mantra-japa. A mantra recited in a spiritually refined voice is said to be perfect like the unfailing arrow of theGāṇḍīva– the divine bow of Arjuna.
Our body is also like a superb musical instrument gifted by Nature.In fact, its functional structure can be simulated with the vīṇā and sitāra.These instruments have several wires connected with the wooden components. Analogously, the brain, tongue, stomach etc together with the tactile skin, vocal cord, ears and the network of interconnected nerves constitute our body’s instrument. This musical body (termed Gātra Vīṇā in the scriptures) is well equipped with the sensors for receiving and transmitting enormous varieties of sonic currents.
The swara (accent) of the musical notes is generated in the Gātra Vīṇā of our body by vibrations in the specific cakras and energy plexus described earlier. The talented musicians produce varieties of melodious patterns and musical compositions from the instruments like the vīṇā and sitāra. The experts of Yoga Vidyā too, by the dedicated sādhanās of Nāda Brahṁ,‘play’ (stimulate) the ṣaṭ cakras and generate vibrations in the ‘fibers’ (latent linkages) of the inner body.This induces spiritual transmutation and arousal of supernatural powers (riddhi-siddhis) of physical as well as transcendental dimensions.
Perfection in listening and tuning the Nādaof the living vīṇā of our body helps understand and regulate the gross physical as well as the subtle functions of our life. This expertise could be attained rather easily by Nāda Yoga as compared to other ascetic and enduring sādhanā procedures of yoga. The sapt deva (seven Gods), sapta ṛiṣis(the seven ṛiṣis), saptloka (seven heavenly realms of existence), sapt sāgara (seven ‘oceans’ of life), sapt meru (seven mountains of divinity),sapt sādhanās(seven levels of spirituality) –– existing in the subtle world of our body – are said to vibrate according to the divine sapt swaras (the octave of cosmic music of eternity) generated by theNāda Brahṁ.
A group of distinguished scientists in Toronto (Canada) has initiated innovative research on the ‘sounds’ within the human body.Their sound-proof laboratory is well equipped to perceive and make audible, the different sounds produced by the processes of respiration, heart beating,flows of liquids and gases in the digestive system...., etc.The analysis of the rhythmic interplay between these sounds and the physical state of the body has offered them significant information. Similar research in modern branches of auditionandacoustics should also be carried out to scientifically analyze the psychological factors with respect to the gamut sounds inside the body.
Renowned physicist, Dr. Charles G. Van Ripher has thrown light on the subtler aspects of the internal sounds of the human body in his book entitled – ‘An Introduction to General American Phonetics’. In his views, the mysterious levels of consciousness could be grasped only by understanding the spectrum of sonic (audible as well as subliminal) vibrations of the living system.Prof. Ripher states that – as light, heat, gravity and magnetism affect the physical phenomena in Nature and the states of the living bodies in it, similar or even higher should be the impact of the sound energy because it ‘enfolds’ the optical and the thermal energies as well. The presence of some minimum level of sound, including that produced due to the continuum of periodic physiological functions, is as essential for maintaining bio-energy, as that of air, water and food.
From their physical appearance, the musclesappear as mere bundles of ‘threads’ made up of blood and flesh.... However, the sounds produced by their periodic contraction and stretching are wonderful. One can sense these sounds by meditating upon the intra-body functions – without any disturbance of any kind of external sound.Perfecting such meditations enables one perceive these sounds in the happy and healthy state of the mind and body as melodious tunes produced by the divine vīṇā. This sound loses its order and becomes unclear in the negative states of tension, anger, sickness, etc.
Some of the sounds produced by various physiological and physico-chemical functions inside the body can be amplified and heard or sensed with the help of the modern instruments like theechocardiogram. With the advent of technology for perception of infra- and ultra-sounds, some scientists have been able to record and analyze the above mentioned sounds produced by the muscles and other parts of the body.Celebrities like Dr. Joshua F. Jaffe of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, has successfully recorded some of these sound waves – up to 1000 hertz frequencies – with the help of an electro-mechanical stethoscope. His recordings include the orderly echos (sounding like “Lap-Dap - Lap-Dap” ....) of the heart beats and the grumbling sound produced in the lungs.
Prof. G. I. Taylor’s auto-correlation studies carried out at the Cambridge University have provided in-depth quantitative analysis of the waveforms of the signalsrecorded during the controlled experiments on intra-body sounds. Using the computational methods of Fast Fourier Transforms, Prof. James W. Cooley of the Princeton University has successfully recorded thedigital waveformsof the rhythmic sound produced due to the periodic contraction and stretching of muscles.
The next step offront-line research in related biomedical sciences would focus on the prognostic and diagnostic studies using the parametric analysis of the waveforms of the sounds of different kinds of physiological tremorsunder the normal and the diseased conditions of the body.
Experiments on other creatures have also shown major role of their biological sounds in governing their vital functions and vice-versa. Dr. Nelson of the Zoology department, California University has investigated that – if a shark is in a state of danger, her ‘shout’ for help is sent to her partners via the signals of her muscles’ sound; the friends at the other end also communicate via similar signals. Dr. M. A. Winsey of Britain obtained analogous results when he experimented on the eggs of Japanese Quails.He found that the sound waves transmitted from an egg are heard by its mother about four days before the birth of the offspring. He also observed that if an embryo of this quail is kept in a transperent plastic bag near its egg, in which, an offspring is struggling hard to come out ...., then, the orderly sound produced inside theembryo would send ‘energy signals’ to help the offspring break the shell of its egg with greater ease...... An experimental Zoologist, Dr. Goldpink, concludes that – such phenomena are the ‘demonstration’ of the fact that the conscious energy in a living body is indeed a part of an omnipresent (supreme) force.
In his dissertation entitled ‘Phisicomathice de L’humane’ an Italian scientist, Dr. Francisco M. Grimaldy has thrown light on some yet unknown (hence ‘mysterious’!) features of the music of the body’s vīṇā.He considers the specific pattern of the body-sounds of a person to be correlated with his psychology and sentiments. His emphasis on the emotional and sentimental aspects brings his theory closer to the philosophy of our ancient scholars.Any kind of sophisticated experiment in our body can be performed only if this wonderful laboratory is cleaned and upgraded by physical fitness and refinement of our thoughts, sentiments and deeds.
All the disciplined practices of yoga, ranging from āsana–praṇāyāmaand dhyāna–dhāraṇāto the higher levels of sādhanās, are aimed at activating the linkage between the individual and the supreme consciousness... The physiological tremors play a key role in increasing the levels of vital energy during the elementary exercises of spiritual yoga. The japa of mantras also makes use of these sound wavesin order to penetrate the ‘otherwise unused’ latent core of consciousness (in the hidden fold of the human brain) towards creating a communication link with the cosmic layers of Śabda.
The disciplines of self-restrain, chastity and specific prāṇāyāmas help regulating the order of the physiological tremors in total harmony with the bio-rhythm of Nature. This also bestows the opportunity of enlightened development of personality.The internal power of our ears could be stimulated by elementary practices of Nāda Yoga so that they could sense (‘perceive’) the otherwise subtle sounds inside the body. Consistency in meditation upon the internal sounds of the body accompanied by thorough practices of introvert analysis inspired by upāsanā and swādhyāya13 eventually leads to activation and illumination of the subtle and astralbodies too. Arousal of inner strength and virtuous talents together with intellectual radiance are immediate consequences of accomplishing these sādhanās. Further evolution of the individual consciousness by the Nāda Yoga sādhanās effectuates the manifestation of supernormal faculties.
More important parts of this unique laboratory of life in the form of a human being are –– the mana (conscious and subconscious mind), buddhi (intellect), citta (unconscious mind), ahṁkāra(the sense of being) and theantaḥkaraṇa (super-conscious mind and the inner self) – in the sublime realms of mind.Those in the executive domain include – the ṣaṭ cakras, the twenty four upatyikās, the three granthīs9 , the iḍā, pingalā and suṣumā nāḍīs10 , the pancakośas11 the kunḍalinī12 and the sahastrāra, the subliminal nucleus (hidden in the inner core of the upper brain) of linkage with the divine consciousness.
In their quest for absolute truth, the ṛiṣis used to carry out all experiments and investigations in this ‘living laboratory’, which, as they found, contained the projection of the whole universe in itself. Rather than depending upon others, or using external means or consuming natural resources (to develop sophisticated devices/technologies....) and upsetting the ecological harmony, they preferred a truly self-reliant approach to develop and perform the spiritual experiments of the science of life on their own body and mind. They performed upāsana, yoga,sadhanā and tapaścaryā for this purpose. Their endeavors bestowed multiple boons of – the knowledge of the self, knowledge of the universe, realization of the absolute truth and, most importantly, the achievement of their noble goal of creating divine ambience in this mortal world.
The most remarkable result of their invaluable research was the decipheration that – the eternal energy of Śabda and Nādais the basic source of the origin and functioning of the miraculous living laboratory existing in a human being.
The manifestation of the power of Śabda in our vocal sound is called baikhari vāṇī; and that expressed via gestures and in the language of thoughts is called madhyamā vāṇī. The ‘voices’ of the deeper cores of the mind and the soul are termed respectively as parā vāṇī and paśyanti vāṇī.
The powers and effectiveness of these vāṇīs grow exponentially from baikhari to paśyanti. The words spoken by someone would become absolute if his baikhari vāṇī is empowered by the paśyanti. Spiritual endeavors of Śabda Yoga and Vāka Siddhi include purification and training to effectuate this evolution of vāṇī. The japa of mantrasare perfect only if uttered through such a refined voice.
As mentioned earlier, the creation (compilation) of mantrasis based on a splendid combination of the science of syllables and vowels emanated from the realization of Śabda Brahṁ and the science of the rhythmic impact of specific patterns of phonemes and musical notes – the science of Nāda Brahṁ. The effectiveness of the vācikajapa of mantras is proportional to the spiritual refinement of the baikhari vāṇī. The consistent observance of truth, austerity, piety and selflessness in thoughts, deeds and conduct is essential for effective success in the practices of mantra-japa. A mantra recited in a spiritually refined voice is said to be perfect like the unfailing arrow of theGāṇḍīva– the divine bow of Arjuna.
Our body is also like a superb musical instrument gifted by Nature.In fact, its functional structure can be simulated with the vīṇā and sitāra.These instruments have several wires connected with the wooden components. Analogously, the brain, tongue, stomach etc together with the tactile skin, vocal cord, ears and the network of interconnected nerves constitute our body’s instrument. This musical body (termed Gātra Vīṇā in the scriptures) is well equipped with the sensors for receiving and transmitting enormous varieties of sonic currents.
The swara (accent) of the musical notes is generated in the Gātra Vīṇā of our body by vibrations in the specific cakras and energy plexus described earlier. The talented musicians produce varieties of melodious patterns and musical compositions from the instruments like the vīṇā and sitāra. The experts of Yoga Vidyā too, by the dedicated sādhanās of Nāda Brahṁ,‘play’ (stimulate) the ṣaṭ cakras and generate vibrations in the ‘fibers’ (latent linkages) of the inner body.This induces spiritual transmutation and arousal of supernatural powers (riddhi-siddhis) of physical as well as transcendental dimensions.
Perfection in listening and tuning the Nādaof the living vīṇā of our body helps understand and regulate the gross physical as well as the subtle functions of our life. This expertise could be attained rather easily by Nāda Yoga as compared to other ascetic and enduring sādhanā procedures of yoga. The sapt deva (seven Gods), sapta ṛiṣis(the seven ṛiṣis), saptloka (seven heavenly realms of existence), sapt sāgara (seven ‘oceans’ of life), sapt meru (seven mountains of divinity),sapt sādhanās(seven levels of spirituality) –– existing in the subtle world of our body – are said to vibrate according to the divine sapt swaras (the octave of cosmic music of eternity) generated by theNāda Brahṁ.
A group of distinguished scientists in Toronto (Canada) has initiated innovative research on the ‘sounds’ within the human body.Their sound-proof laboratory is well equipped to perceive and make audible, the different sounds produced by the processes of respiration, heart beating,flows of liquids and gases in the digestive system...., etc.The analysis of the rhythmic interplay between these sounds and the physical state of the body has offered them significant information. Similar research in modern branches of auditionandacoustics should also be carried out to scientifically analyze the psychological factors with respect to the gamut sounds inside the body.
Renowned physicist, Dr. Charles G. Van Ripher has thrown light on the subtler aspects of the internal sounds of the human body in his book entitled – ‘An Introduction to General American Phonetics’. In his views, the mysterious levels of consciousness could be grasped only by understanding the spectrum of sonic (audible as well as subliminal) vibrations of the living system.Prof. Ripher states that – as light, heat, gravity and magnetism affect the physical phenomena in Nature and the states of the living bodies in it, similar or even higher should be the impact of the sound energy because it ‘enfolds’ the optical and the thermal energies as well. The presence of some minimum level of sound, including that produced due to the continuum of periodic physiological functions, is as essential for maintaining bio-energy, as that of air, water and food.
From their physical appearance, the musclesappear as mere bundles of ‘threads’ made up of blood and flesh.... However, the sounds produced by their periodic contraction and stretching are wonderful. One can sense these sounds by meditating upon the intra-body functions – without any disturbance of any kind of external sound.Perfecting such meditations enables one perceive these sounds in the happy and healthy state of the mind and body as melodious tunes produced by the divine vīṇā. This sound loses its order and becomes unclear in the negative states of tension, anger, sickness, etc.
Some of the sounds produced by various physiological and physico-chemical functions inside the body can be amplified and heard or sensed with the help of the modern instruments like theechocardiogram. With the advent of technology for perception of infra- and ultra-sounds, some scientists have been able to record and analyze the above mentioned sounds produced by the muscles and other parts of the body.Celebrities like Dr. Joshua F. Jaffe of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, has successfully recorded some of these sound waves – up to 1000 hertz frequencies – with the help of an electro-mechanical stethoscope. His recordings include the orderly echos (sounding like “Lap-Dap - Lap-Dap” ....) of the heart beats and the grumbling sound produced in the lungs.
Prof. G. I. Taylor’s auto-correlation studies carried out at the Cambridge University have provided in-depth quantitative analysis of the waveforms of the signalsrecorded during the controlled experiments on intra-body sounds. Using the computational methods of Fast Fourier Transforms, Prof. James W. Cooley of the Princeton University has successfully recorded thedigital waveformsof the rhythmic sound produced due to the periodic contraction and stretching of muscles.
The next step offront-line research in related biomedical sciences would focus on the prognostic and diagnostic studies using the parametric analysis of the waveforms of the sounds of different kinds of physiological tremorsunder the normal and the diseased conditions of the body.
Experiments on other creatures have also shown major role of their biological sounds in governing their vital functions and vice-versa. Dr. Nelson of the Zoology department, California University has investigated that – if a shark is in a state of danger, her ‘shout’ for help is sent to her partners via the signals of her muscles’ sound; the friends at the other end also communicate via similar signals. Dr. M. A. Winsey of Britain obtained analogous results when he experimented on the eggs of Japanese Quails.He found that the sound waves transmitted from an egg are heard by its mother about four days before the birth of the offspring. He also observed that if an embryo of this quail is kept in a transperent plastic bag near its egg, in which, an offspring is struggling hard to come out ...., then, the orderly sound produced inside theembryo would send ‘energy signals’ to help the offspring break the shell of its egg with greater ease...... An experimental Zoologist, Dr. Goldpink, concludes that – such phenomena are the ‘demonstration’ of the fact that the conscious energy in a living body is indeed a part of an omnipresent (supreme) force.
In his dissertation entitled ‘Phisicomathice de L’humane’ an Italian scientist, Dr. Francisco M. Grimaldy has thrown light on some yet unknown (hence ‘mysterious’!) features of the music of the body’s vīṇā.He considers the specific pattern of the body-sounds of a person to be correlated with his psychology and sentiments. His emphasis on the emotional and sentimental aspects brings his theory closer to the philosophy of our ancient scholars.Any kind of sophisticated experiment in our body can be performed only if this wonderful laboratory is cleaned and upgraded by physical fitness and refinement of our thoughts, sentiments and deeds.
All the disciplined practices of yoga, ranging from āsana–praṇāyāmaand dhyāna–dhāraṇāto the higher levels of sādhanās, are aimed at activating the linkage between the individual and the supreme consciousness... The physiological tremors play a key role in increasing the levels of vital energy during the elementary exercises of spiritual yoga. The japa of mantras also makes use of these sound wavesin order to penetrate the ‘otherwise unused’ latent core of consciousness (in the hidden fold of the human brain) towards creating a communication link with the cosmic layers of Śabda.
The disciplines of self-restrain, chastity and specific prāṇāyāmas help regulating the order of the physiological tremors in total harmony with the bio-rhythm of Nature. This also bestows the opportunity of enlightened development of personality.The internal power of our ears could be stimulated by elementary practices of Nāda Yoga so that they could sense (‘perceive’) the otherwise subtle sounds inside the body. Consistency in meditation upon the internal sounds of the body accompanied by thorough practices of introvert analysis inspired by upāsanā and swādhyāya13 eventually leads to activation and illumination of the subtle and astralbodies too. Arousal of inner strength and virtuous talents together with intellectual radiance are immediate consequences of accomplishing these sādhanās. Further evolution of the individual consciousness by the Nāda Yoga sādhanās effectuates the manifestation of supernormal faculties.
