speech types

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There are 4 levels of chanting based on the mode of

speech:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level

 

 

 

Brief explanation

 

 

 

Spiritual level**

 

1. Vaikhari

 

 

Chanting done aloud, with effort

 

 

 

 

35-50%

2. Madhyama

 

 

Chanting occurs automatically

 

 

 

 

50-70%

3. Pashyanti

 

 

Chanting as done by Seers and

 

 

Saints

 

 

 

 

70-99%

4. Para

 

 

Highest level of chanting

 

 

 

 

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Vaikhari: Chanting done aloud, with effort

 

 

A. Benefits to oneself:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the primary stage chanting aloud helps one

concentrate on the

chant.

 

 

 

 

One also derives the benefit of regulation and

control of breath

(pranayam), one of the disciplines of yoga, which

brings about the

steadiness of

mind.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

** Approximate spiritual level at which this type of

chanting occurs.

Refer to Issue 5: Principles of Spirituality for

Faster Progress

section for

an explanation on spiritual level.

 

 

 

 

 

Practical application

 

 

1. In the initial stages of chanting it is

difficult to chant

mentally. Hence, every time one loses focus while

chanting mentally, one

can start

chanting out aloud softly to regain focus, and then

resume mental

chanting.

 

 

 

 

2. In the initial stages, one can also use external

tools like a

mala, tally counter, chanting along with a prerecorded

tape of the chant,

etc.,

to gain focus on the chant.

 

 

 

 

 

3. One can also refer to the Issues 38, 96, 140,

Clarification of

Doubts section and Issues 112 and 113, Practical

Guidance section for ways

to

improve one's concentration and chanting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue:153

 

 

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1. Vaikhari: Chanting done aloud, with effort

 

 

In the last Issue, we saw the benefits to

others and self, due

to chanting in the Vaikhari mode. In this Issue, we

will discuss its

limitations and the possible distress caused.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The possible distress to others: It can pose as

an obstacle to

others' thinking and spiritual practice:

 

 

 

 

For example, if two seekers who have

different chants are

residing together, and one or both of them start

chanting aloud, none will

be able

to perform their spiritual practice! Also, some

people may not be

able to think properly when the chant is being said

aloud. In such

cases one's

chanting aloud can become positively distressing

to others.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The limitations: Since the chanting is aloud, the

mind cannot attain

the thoughtless state.

 

 

 

 

Progressive steps of chanting are that the

chant becomes subtler

and finally the chanting stops. This is when the

seeker experiences the

thoughtless state. The very nature of chanting

aloud becomes the

limitation of the Vaikhari mode of speech, as chanting

can never be

stopped while

chanting aloud!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practical application

 

 

 

 

 

1. The above discussion highlights the benefits

and power of

chanting aloud. Hence, especially, in the initial

stages of chanting, when

one

cannot chant mentally and continuously: One can

chant aloud for a

few minutes to build up the tempo within to enable

mental chanting.

 

 

 

2. Every time one loses focus while chanting

mentally, one can

start chanting out aloud softly to regain focus, and

then resume mental

chanting.

 

 

 

3. One can use external tools like a mala, tally

counter, chanting

along with a prerecorded tape of the chant, etc., to

gain focus on the

chant.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue:154

 

 

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1. Vaikhari: Chanting done aloud, with effort

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A.

 

 

Benefits to oneself:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the primary stage chanting aloud helps one

concentrate on the

chant.

 

 

 

 

One also derives the benefit of regulation and

control of breath

(pranayam), one of the disciplines of yoga, which

brings about the

steadiness

of mind.

 

 

 

 

 

B.

 

 

Benefits to others:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A sattvik (sattva predominant) spiritual

emotion (bhav) may be

generated in those, who hear the chant.

 

 

 

 

The sound of the chant helps make the

atmosphere more sattvik.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The soothing sattvik vibrations generated by

chanting will

affect and attract others around the seeker. As a

result, they may begin

chanting

or spiritual practice themselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practical application

 

 

1. If others are being disturbed by one's chanting

aloud, one may

reduce the volume (sound) of one's chanting.

 

 

 

 

2. Along with this one may attempt to explain the

reason behind

chanting aloud to them. If one is not confident about

explaining the

principle

behind chanting and chanting aloud, then one may

seek help from

other seekers. Once a person intellectually

understands the reason behind

the

practice of chanting, they are more likely to begin

to chant. (Refer

to Issue 129 Clarification of Doubts section for an

explanation on how

to

advice family members or close relatives. Also

refer to Issue 23

Clarification of Doubts section for an explanation on

the science behind

chanting.)

 

 

 

 

 

3. If one is already chanting aloud and is

comfortable with it, then

one may focus on trying to improve the quality of

one's chanting. Refer

to

Issues 38, 96, 140 Clarification of Doubts section

for ways to

improve one concentration and quality of chanting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue:155

 

 

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Method 2. Madhyama:

 

 

 

 

 

In Issues 152 to 154 the Vaikhari mode or the

first stage of

chanting The Lord's Name was explained.

 

 

 

 

The Madhyama mode (the second stage of

chanting) refers to

chanting, which occurs automatically or effortlessly.

It is so named, as it

is the

intermediate stage between the Vaikhari and

Pashyanti modes. It

occurs at a spiritual level of 50 -70%, and is the

type of chanting that

happens

at a level between that of an average person and a

seer or Saint. At

this stage, there is the awareness in the seeker that

chanting is as

important as all other tasks.

 

 

 

 

 

A seeker progressing from Vaikhari towards the

Madhyama mode of

chanting can attempt to chant while doing daily

chores, such as bathing

or

traveling by train or bus. These are activities

done by force of

habit and do not need much mental attention. Hence,

initially it is easier

to

chant while doing such activities. As a seeker

progresses, chanting

starts occurring even while doing important mental

activities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practical application

 

 

Some steps that one can take to progress to the

intermediate

(Madhyama) stage of chanting from the initial

(Vaikhari) stage are as

follows:

 

 

 

1. If one is able to chant while doing daily chores

then one can

strive to proceed to chanting when doing mental tasks,

such as reading

newspapers,

books or e-mails, watching television, etc

 

 

2. One can sincerely pray to The Lord at the

beginning of each day

and throughout the day to grace one with increased

chanting. Efforts

graced by

The Lord are bound to succeed

 

 

3. One can refer to the Clarification of Doubts

section in Issues 38,

96, 140, and the Practical Guidance section in Issues

112 and 113 for

ways to

improve one's concentration and quality of chanting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue:156

 

 

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Benefits of Madhyama:

 

 

In the previous Issue we discussed Madhyama as

a mode of

chanting. In this Issue we will look at the benefits

of this mode of chanting.

 

 

 

Benefits to the seeker chanting in Madhyama:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The chanting center begins to get established in

the subconscious

mind, resulting in the seeker becoming less prone to

highs and lows

caused by

impressions in the subconscious mind.**

 

 

 

 

 

The seeker is better equipped to face life's ups

and downs, and

not to succumb to bad habits, like smoking, drinking,

as well as to lust,

greed,

etc.

 

 

 

 

 

The seeker experiences sattvik happiness most of

the time and is

very rarely sad.**

 

 

 

 

The seeker's concentration increases, as he

experiences less

interruption from thoughts.

 

 

 

 

At this stage the seeker desires to do only good

deeds.

 

 

 

 

The sattvikta emanating from such a seeker subtly

benefits those

around him, regardless of their spiritual inclination

 

 

 

 

The speech (vani) of seekers in the advanced

stages of Madhyama

has divine consciousness (chaitanya), providing

spiritual nourishment to

the

listeners.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

** Refer to Issue 23, Clarification of Doubts

section for details on

the chanting center, and Issue 130, Science of

Spirituality section for

details on reduction of impressions in the

intellect center as well

as the subconscious mind.

 

 

 

 

The above text highlights the benefits of chanting

in the Madhyama

mode that reduces internal as well as external ups and

downs, and gives

the

experience of purity in speech and concentration.

Hence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practical application

 

 

The above text highlights the benefits of

chanting in the

Madhyama mode that reduces internal as well as

external ups and downs, and

gives the

experience of purity in speech and concentration.

Hence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Seekers, who are already at this stage of

chanting (refer to Issue

155, Science of Spirituality section for its

indications) can note that

- it

is through persistent spiritual practice and

sacrifice of the mind,

body and intellect that one is graced with such

effortless chanting.

Hence, one

should be grateful to The Lord for such chanting and

strive to go to

further stages that The Lord has in store for us.

 

 

 

 

2. Seekers yet to experience effortless chanting can

take inspiration

from the above text to strive to increase one's

chanting in quality and

quantity by doing it as many times, during as many

activities, and

with as much faith as possible. (Refer to Issues 112

and 113, Practical

Guidance

section for details on how to increase chanting.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue:157

 

 

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Pashyanti:

 

 

 

 

 

In Issues 152 through 154 the Vaikhari mode

(preliminary stage)

and in Issues 155 and 156 the Madhyama mode

(intermediate stage) of

chanting

were explained as per the mode of speech.

 

 

 

 

 

Pashyanti (advanced stage) is derived from the

Sanskrut root

word, 'pashya', which means 'to see'. Hence, the

chanting akin to that of

seers,

who have the knowledge of the past, present and

future, is called

Pashyanti chanting. Pashyanti stage of chanting occurs

at a spiritual

level

between 70-99%.

 

 

 

 

 

In the Pashyanti mode of chanting, the center of

devotion or

chanting is firmly established in one's subconscious**

mind (refer to the

diagram

below). The influence of other subconscious

impressions is less,

compared to the influence of this pure center. Thus,

one naturally performs

only

righteous deeds. In the Pashyanti stage of chanting,

initially the

seeker is able to chant when doing important mental

tasks like reading or

doing

official work. Later still in Pashyanti, the seeker

is able to chant

when conversing with others. Once this occurs,

chanting occurs even in

sleep.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practical application

 

 

 

 

 

One can only imagine the power of the Pashyanti

(advanced) stage

of chanting that occurs even in sleep, and the

benefits of such

chanting not

only to the individual, but also to society! Hence,

seekers should

strive to improve the quality and quantity of their

chanting to progress

to this

stage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Issue:158

 

 

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In Issues 152 to 157 the Vaikhari (initial),

Madhyama (intermediate)

and Pashyanti (advanced) stages of chanting The Lord's

Name were

explained as

per the mode of speech.

 

 

 

 

 

The fourth and ultimate, the Para mode of

chanting occurs at a

spiritual level of above 99%.

 

 

 

 

A seeker at the Para mode of chanting has

attained non-duality

(oneness) with the God principle. This is the ultimate

stage of

chanting. At

this stage the seeker has already blended into the

Name and hence as

such no real chanting takes place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This stage of chanting is referred to as Omkar

or adibija. In

the Para mode of speech chanting ceases, as one has

achieved non-duality

with

chanting.

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits of Para stage of chanting:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On reaching this stage of chanting one

experiences Serenity

(Shanti)

 

 

 

 

One, who is at this level, has attained the Final

Liberation

(Moksha) or merged with the supreme God principle.

 

 

 

 

At this level just by one's resolve (sankalp) or

sheer presence, a

seeker's spiritual progress occurs automatically.

 

 

 

 

The whole of society benefits due to the divine

consciousness

(chaitanya) and guidance of the one, who is at this

stage of chanting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Practical application

 

 

One can only imagine the power of chanting in

the Para mode, and

its benefits to oneself and society at large! Hence,

each seeker should

chant

with the conviction that one will reach this stage

of chanting

(Final Liberation) in this birth itself. Thus, one

can:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intensify one's spiritual practice by constantly

striving to take

it to the next level. For example, if one is chanting

for a couple of

hours

daily, one can try to increase it in quality as

well as quantity.

Similarly, if one is at the stage of merely listening

to guidance given

without always accepting it, one can learn to

accept it

wholeheartedly and later still, follow it each time.

(Refer to the Implied

Meaning

section of this Issue for details on taking

spiritual practice to

the next level.)

 

 

 

 

One can try to follow the guidelines in Issues

112 and 113,

Practical Guidance section about increasing the

quality and quantity of

chanting.

 

 

______________________

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