How to start reciting Lalitha Sahasranama ( Step Six)

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Step Six: Stillness and Gyan mudra

 

When we are conscious, our sense organs bring this material world to

life. We observe our surroundings and nature, as it exists.

 

When we have become `still' our body is still conscious. Very often

we close our eyes to draw our self inwards. We do this to draw our

thoughts to our heart. By doing this motion we want our intellect

to perceive nothing. This means the mind is blank. This focus is a

state towards `deep sleep'. This is a condition where we

are `moving towards deep sleep' but not `deep sleep'. We are, in

layman's language, becoming still.

 

Deep-sleep is a condition when all senses cease to function because

the intellect gets drowned. There is no perception of the body or

emotions of the mind or thoughts. A state reached after practice.

Such states are reached by constant sadhana's. .

 

However, we are not referring to such a `Deep-Sleep' state for most

of us. We are referring to a state of consciousness where we are

conscious of things that exist but also of the `absence of things'.

To give a simple example we need to feel the state where at a party

we notice the absence of an individual in a party. In this case

that feeling is for `Devi'.

 

`There is nothing above or below, outside or inside, or across, east

or west for me who in reality the one atman without a second. " (5)

 

……………From Ten Verses on

the Atman

 

This condition can only be felt when we are still, we shall

be " dancing the dance of stillness " . (43)

 

………….Sri Ramana Ashtottara.

 

Are not dance and stillness contradictory? What is meant by " still

dance " ? Consciousness is the stable ground of all movement. To

abide in it is to be aware of it.

 

The touching of the tip of the thumb and the index finger of the

right palm in contact signifies the union of Paramatman and

Jivatman. The contact should not be pressed hard. Other fingers

are kept upright. This pose is called Gyan Mudra. This practice

while reciting Lalitha Sahasrahrama ensures mental peace,

concentration, sharp memory and spiritual feeling. The energy

within oneself is slowly activated. The thumb is said to represent

agni or fire and the index finger air or vayu. The coming together

of air and fire activates the spiritual energy within oneself.

 

" My Mother and I are one; we are not separate at all. " …………….Sri

Karunamayi

 

Stillness and Gyan Mudra together creates the right condition to

recite Lalitha Sahasranama

 

R Ravi Sankar