Guest guest Posted January 27, 2004 Report Share Posted January 27, 2004 Dear Jim and Gabriel , > > Since you both have requested me to relate more about my experience of Diving into the Heart > here > goes. > > In the Ramana Gita Ch.2 V2 the following sloka appears > > In the innermost core, > The Heart shines as Brahman alone > As 'I-I',the Self Aware. > Enter deep into the heart > By search for self,or diving deep > Or with breath under check. > Thus abide ever in Atman > > Ganapati Muni who edited the Ramana Gita attached great importance to this verse expecially as > it > appears again in the 40 verses , the Supplement and in different wording in the 30 verses.So it > is obvious that Bhagavan was giving this as one approach to Self Enquiry ..There are many > references to 'Diving' in Talks also . > In addition when the new hall was built this sloka was engraved in gold on black basalt and > mounted above Ramana's marble couch .So it is clear that it is a clue to aspirants in their > practice . > > Now as others have pointed out Self Enquiry may be approached 1]through a Questioning method > ,to > whom does this thought occur etc. > > 2]By holding onto the I thought ,I feeling or I current ,various terms are used > > 3]By the awareness of awareness method as progressed by Sadhu Om and others.See Michael L's Site > > In the early days of my Sadhana I tried these three methods and with a fairly restless mind I > found that there was not enough force to pursue the enquiry as others have described in their > various reminiscences,nor could i continue it for very long. > > But when I read Ramana,s Essay 'Self Enquiry' in Collected Works I found that restraint of > breath > is advocated as an aid for mind contol . > Then the Eki Sloka seemed so obvious for me .What could be more direct ?This was not elusive but > a > clear practice emphasised and described in the Sat Darshana Bhashya and other Commentaries . > > There was also a book published by the Ashram called The technique of Maha Yoga where the > writer > describes the importance of the practice .To him the force of the Prajna in the breath enters > the > heart on the outgoing breath. > > As some one who had done Hatha Yoga and some Pranayama this approach appealed to me ,for > experimentation > > Restraint of breath is only an option ,but with a chattering mind the restraint stops the > chatter > immediately .Sone people dive without restraint because there mind goes quiet when they enter . > > So taking a deep breath and then holding it , I take focused attention from the chakra between > the > eyes and like a laser beam let it penetrate through the door way into the Heart Centre through > the right side of the chest . > Then I release the breath when it can no longer be held .I am able to repeat this three times at > a > sitting usually, and possibly 4 or 5 sittings during the day . > > What I found is that I had to have kept in mind that I was searching for the source of the I > thought with untroubled mind. > > The quality variies a great deal depending on the play of the Gunas .Sometimes one cannot > penetrate very deeply because one strikes the wall of a sheath or a vasana ,but often one > breaks > through .On the expelling of the breath with a bastika these blocks clear ..Thought and breath > are > interrelated. > > There is no doubt that repeated practice weakens the vasanas,brings them out and brings about a > more satvic mind .It also carves a niche in the right side of the chest , where one can abide at > any time .It clears identification with any emotional or mental statse . > > When occaisionally one reaches the bottom of the abyss ,one finds there is nothing there .This > bothered me until in Tiru I discussed this practice with senior Devotees whom I trusted .I > learned > that this is normal .There is no answer coming .The practice is the process ..As it is done with > the mind ,nothing is found .But with perseverance I am told , the Enquiry moves into the Heart > and is carried on spontaneously without breath restraint and then one approaches the Source of > the ego when it will topple . > > So I persevere ,and find it very beneficial .I realise this is not,by any means, for everyone > and > each finds the approach to Self Enquiry that is easiest for him or her and suits their own > understanfing . > > i could go on , but this is the gist of my experiemce .I would be happy to answer specific > questions . > > With warmest regards , to you both , yours in His Grace , Alan > > ______________________ > BT Broadband - Free modem offer, sign up online today and save £80 > http://bt..co.uk > > > > Links > > > atma_vichara/ > > > atma_vichara > > Your > > > ______________________ BT Broadband - Free modem offer, sign up online today and save £80 http://bt..co.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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