Nidhidhyasana - Was: Why aCommentary?

[Guest guest]

Namaste All,

 

I would like some explanation of the term nidhidhyAsana. I came

across some discussion of this in the introduction to Chandogya

Upanishad by Swami Gambhirananda. He calls it a higher form of

meditation wherein there is no effort or will or intellection

involved. There is the constant presence of the firm conviction "I am

brahman". To me the process goes like this: shravaNa or listening,

followed by manana or contemplation and then comes nidhidhyAsana

wherein one has embraced the idea that has been heard and

contemplated upon and there is complete conviction, just short of

actualisation. This differs from dhyAna. Meditation seems like a

loose definition which is used to translate both dhyAna and

nidhidhyAsana.

 

I stand to be corrected.

 

Harih Om!

Neelakantan

 

 

advaitin, "R.S.MANI" <r_s_mani> wrote:

Namaste All,

>

> The Sruti Says:

>

> "Atma va arey Drushtavy, Srotavya, Manthavya, Nididhyasavya"

>

> This itself shows, just hearing is not enough. Manana and

Nididhyasana must follow for proper assimilation of That Knowledge.

However. Manana takes place along with sravana to some extent.

>

> It is like eating food. While eating food though one "enjoys" the

taste, unless the digestion takes place, the assimilation of the food

will not take place and the system will not be benefited. If the

digestive system is not okay, not only total digestion will not take

place, but also the half digested food will come out through all

possible channels. So till assimilation takes place one is not going

to be benefited by eating food, and not only that half

assimilation/half digestion will land him into trouble. Similar is

the case with Self Knowledge.

>

> Hearing of Sruti vakya itself is very pleasant/enjoyable

experience, and once the assimilation takes place, through manana and

nididhyasana, of what is heard, the seeker will get the benefit of

the hearing. If the digestive system is okay, then only the food gets

digested and assimilated. Similarly, if the mind, where the hearing

takes place, is okay, then only the digestion can take place followed

by the assimilation. To be short . . . ."Apnoti Param" happens only

after assimilation of That Knowledge.

>

> Though Commentaries serve the purpose of some sort of Manana for

the seeker that may not help in total assimilation.

>

> This is my understanding.

>

> Hari Om and warm regards

>

> Mani

>

>

>

>

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>

>