Guest guest Posted June 16, 2006 Report Share Posted June 16, 2006 Hello Shreeram ji hope you could describe , what should one visualize during japa, I would think the deity , Guru any other suggestions ? would be very helpful. Namaste , Joanna Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 16, 2006 Report Share Posted June 16, 2006 Dear Joanna Ma, What one should visualize depends on many factors. There are no standard setof rules. Gheranda samhita gives a visualisation procedure which is verysimilar to what Shakti Gawain of modern times has given in her book Creative visualisation. I feel it depends on six factors mainly: 1. Mantra-dhyana---The mantra or the meditation which you are doing 2. Mantra Guru-upadesha--The Guru's instructions 3. Mantra Moorthy/devi--The deity or source of power 4. Mantra-Kaamyam--The purpose. 5. Mantra-nivasam--The place where you concentrate the mantra(heart region or the third eye region) 6. Mantra-Beejam--The symbol(seed symbol) of the Mantra(as directed by the preceptor) Keeping these in mind one should take a decision. But once a decision is taken then one should concentrate on the image to the exclusion of everything else. As if the whole world did not exists but you and the object of meditation. For example you imagine " Hreem " symbol(instead of Paraamba) in fire in the third eye region while chanting Panchadasi, then only three things exist as far as others are concerned---Hreem,you and your meditation and as far as you are concerned only one thing exists-- Hreem. When this total merger is achieved --when you concentrate,concentrate,concentrate...then suddenly you go to the " other side " of your consciousness. This flip happens when the observer and the observed become one.This quantum leap takes you to a higher dimension. Jaya Sarvamangala! Shreeram Balijepalli Rajarajeshwari_Kalpataru , " joannapollner " <joannapollner wrote: > > Hello Shreeram ji > > hope you could describe , what should one visualize during japa, > I would think the deity , Guru any other suggestions ? would be very > helpful. > > Namaste , Joanna > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2006 Report Share Posted June 18, 2006 Dear, What was asked was a simple visualisation method, so I did not want to broach on mantra Angas specifically. Since Joanna Ma had got a mantra initiation from her Guru recently She was interested to know a pattern of visualisation(for her single beeja mantra). I had given an elaborate posting on Mantra Anga.Please look at it Joanna Ma. Love Shreeram Balijepalli Rajarajeshwari_Kalpataru , " J.B.S.L. Narasimha Rao " <narsimha6 wrote: > > Hi, > Every Mantra is having saptangas (7 essential addins ) and they are must while doing upasana.With out these 7 parts Mantra is useless (according to MahaNirvana tantra), except Utchitta Chandali or Mathangi (Only for mathangi not for other raja manthangi , and all ) for all other God mantras its must.(what ever the Cult(sampradaya)) > Saptangas for a Mantra : > 1.Rishi(Brahma, Agathsya, Viswamitra, Vasista,...) > 2.Chandassu(Gayatri, Anustubh,....) > 3.Devatha (to whom it is addressed) > 4.Purpose (Kaamya or Vinniyogam) > 5.Anganyasam > 6.Karanyasam > 7.Pancha puja > > Upasana Panchangas > 1.Devatha/Deva Hrudayam > ******* mantra recitation ********* then > 2.Mala Mantram > 3.Kavacham > 4.Astotharam > 5.Sahasram > > Narasimha > > para_anuloma <para_anuloma wrote: > Dear Joanna Ma, > > What one should visualize depends on many factors. There are no > standard setof rules. Gheranda samhita gives a visualisation > procedure which is verysimilar to what Shakti Gawain of modern times > has given in her book Creative visualisation. > > I feel it depends on six factors mainly: > > 1. Mantra-dhyana---The mantra or the meditation which you are doing > > 2. Mantra Guru-upadesha--The Guru's instructions > > 3. Mantra Moorthy/devi--The deity or source of power > > 4. Mantra-Kaamyam--The purpose. > > 5. Mantra-nivasam--The place where you concentrate the mantra(heart > region or the third eye region) > > 6. Mantra-Beejam--The symbol(seed symbol) of the Mantra(as directed > by the preceptor) > > Keeping these in mind one should take a decision. But once a decision > is taken then one should concentrate on the image to the exclusion of > everything else. As if the whole world did not exists but you and the > object of meditation. > > For example you imagine " Hreem " symbol(instead of Paraamba) in fire > in the third eye region while chanting Panchadasi, then only three > things exist as far as others are concerned---Hreem,you and your > meditation and as far as you are concerned only one thing exists-- > Hreem. > > When this total merger is achieved --when you > concentrate,concentrate,concentrate...then suddenly you go to > the " other side " of your consciousness. This flip happens when the > observer and the observed become one.This quantum leap takes you to a > higher dimension. > > Jaya Sarvamangala! > > Shreeram Balijepalli > > Rajarajeshwari_Kalpataru , " joannapollner " > <joannapollner@> wrote: > > > > Hello Shreeram ji > > > > hope you could describe , what should one visualize during japa, > > I would think the deity , Guru any other suggestions ? would be > very > > helpful. > > > > Namaste , Joanna > > > New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2006 Report Share Posted June 18, 2006 Dear Rajuanna, Thankyou for elaborating on the subtlities. I did not want to go in detail as it was a simple query. However what you say is right. Concentration (dharana) is the process of holding or fixing the attention of mind onto one object or place, and is the sixth of the eight rungs. (deshah bandhah chittasya dharana) deshah = place, object, point, spot bandhah = binding to, holding, fixing, uniting chittasya = of the mind, consciousness dharana = concentration, focusing, directing attention Concentration comes more easily with the effort to stabilize the mind , the minimizing of the gross colorings through yoga and the first five of the eight rungs. Without such preparation, the efforts to concentrate the mind often lead only to an inner battle. The noisy mind leads people to say they cannot meditate, and that they will meditate later in life, after all of their problems are gone. There is some truth in such intuition, but the key is not to merely delay meditation until some future time, which seems to never come. Rather, the truth of the intuition is that preparation is needed. With preparation, concentration comes much more naturally. Without the preparation, little or nothing happens of value. It is also easy to think that a meditation session was " not good " because it did not bring some deep sense of bliss. Actually, when one understands the tremendous value of simple concentration training, then even the brief, shallower practices are seen in a proper context of having positive value. Even the few minutes, or few seconds where the mind is gently focused on its chosen object are fruitful in the path of meditation. Each moment of positive experience leaves its positive trace in the depth of the mind field. It may seem invisible at first, but those moments add up over time, as concentration eventually begins to become meditation which in turn sets the stage for glimpses of samadhi. -------------------------- The repeated continuation, or uninterrupted stream of that one point of focus is called absorption in meditation (dhyana), and is the seventh of the eight steps. (tatra pratyaya ekatanata dhyanam) tatra = there, therein (in that place or desha of 3.1) pratyaya = the cause, the feeling, causal or cognitive principle, notion, content of mind, presented idea, cognition ekatanata = one continuous flow of uninterrupted attention (eka = one; tanata = continued directedness) dhyanam = meditation Absorption in the object: The repeated concentration on the one object of concentration is meditation. Typically, there is a moment of concentration, when there are no distractions. Then, a moment later a distraction comes. Then, attention lets go of the distraction, and returns to the object of concentration. However, when that distraction does not happen, the continued concentration on the one object is called meditation. When the same object repeatedly comes: Another way of describing the process of meditation is that there is an ongoing series of individual concentrations, rather than one continuous concentration. If each of those concentrations is on the same object, that is called meditation. Whether you prefer to think of it as one continuous flow of concentration, or a series of individual concentrations on the same object, it is the unbroken or undistracted characteristic of attention that allows concentration to evolve into meditation. Observer, observing, and observed: With meditation, there is still an observer observing an observed. When the observer becomes extremely absorbed in the process of observing the object, the three collapse such that all there is only awareness is the object. This is when meditation becomes samadhi. Meditation is a tool: Meditation (along with concentration and samadhi) is a tool for examining the inner world, so as to experience the center of consciousness . Gross objects and subtle objects are systematically experienced, examined and set aside with non- attachment gradually moving past the layers of ignorance or avidya . (See also the article describing 50+ Objects of Meditation.) -=-------------------- When only the essence of that object, place, or point shines forth in the mind, as if devoid even of its own form, that state of deep absorption is called deep concentration or samadhi, which is the eighth rung. (tad eva artha matra nirbhasam svarupa shunyam iva samadhih) tad = that eva = the same artha = object, place, point matra = only, alone nirbhasam = shines forth, appears svarupa = own form, own nature (sva = own; rupe = form, nature) shunyam = devoid of, empty iva = as if, as it were samadhih = meditation in its higher state, deep absorption of meditation, the state of perfected concentration Observer, observing, and observed: With meditation, there is still an observer observing an observed. When the observer becomes so absorbed in the process of observing the object that there seems to be only the object, that is the beginning of samadhi. It is as if the observer, the process of observing, and the object being observed all three collapse in such a way that the only thing remaining is the object. When this deep absorption happens, meditation becomes samadhi. -------------------- However going beyond what your esteemed self have kindly said, It is important to point out that there are stages of objects of samadhi and that samadhi is not the end in itself, but is a tool that is used along the way. ----------------------------- Whatever Gross Object is chosen for meditation (visualized images, sensation, breath, energy, mantra, or attitudes, etc.), the process moves inward through stages (Gross, Subtle, Bliss, I-ness, Objectless). All methods of meditation, of all schools, traditions, teachers, lineages, religions, or paths are experienced in one or more of the stages described below. This is a universal framework for deepening meditation, and is extremely useful to understand, in that it allows you to see where you stand, and where you are going. -------------5 stages of samadhi experience------------ Gross (Savitarka) There are numerous gross level objects on which one can concentrate for meditation, including physical objects or their mental forms, attitudes, and a variety of thought processes. Some schools of meditation base their practice on only one of these objects. In Yoga Meditation, these are very important practices, but are seen as preliminary preparation for the subtler practices. Physical sensation Chakras Visualizations Mantra Friendliness Compassion Breath Benevolence Acceptance Purity of mind Luminosity Thought streams Energy Subtle senses Anything pleasing Subtle (Savichara) Beyond the gross objects of meditation above, there are subtle level objects. Because these subtle objects are either the building blocks of the gross objects, or are the mental instruments of cognition, there are far fewer subtle objects. For example, all of the objects with shape and form are built of earth, water, fire, air, and space (bhutas are gross; tattvas are subtle). All of the perceptions and attitudes are experienced by the sensing instruments, which now are themselves objects of meditation and inquiry. Elements of earth, water, fire, air, and space The subtle energy flows of the vayus and pranas The subtle senses (indriyas) are objects of meditation The four functions of mind, as objects of meditation The subtler essence of mantra, beyond the syllables Bliss (Sananda) When attention goes beyond the gross and subtle levels of meditation, these recede into the background, as one is aware of the underlying bliss, a reality far subtler than mere emotion. In this still subtler experience, there is a simplicity, in that the multiplicity has been replaced by the awareness of bliss (ananda). I-ness (Sasmita) Beyond all three of the above levels (gross, subtle, and bliss), there is meditation on I-ness itself. This is not an ego level, along with the many personality traits, wants, wishes, images, or forms. Rather, it is meditation on individuality itself, untainted by all of those more surface level experiences. Though very deep, it has a simplicity in that it is a single I-ness, rather than a diversity of choices of gross or subtle objects. Objectless (Asamprajnata) All of the four stages above have an object on which attention is focused. Thus, they are called samprajnata, which means with support. Beyond all of these levels comes objectless attention, which is without support, and is called asamprajnata. It is not merely empty- mindedness, but as a vast stillness that is indescribable to the typical level of waking state mind. ---------- Hope the above throws further light on this matter. Yours yogically, Shreeram Balijepalli Rajarajeshwari_Kalpataru , raju ramanathan <iamsai9 wrote: > > My dear sadhaks, > > I read with great interest what my dear Shreeram had > to say. > I have to step in here before others go into extremes > of Dharana in Ajna chakra!! > I just wanted to add some insights to what Shreeram > had to say in this regard.He was correct regarding the > six factors of mantra. > But there are three stages to meditation according to > Patanjali.. > " Dharana,Dhyana and samadhi " Sh > > Shree Ram only described Dharana which is > concentration. > > In fact, it is not concentration that leads to the > other side of consciousness but a process which is a > kind of deconcentration and letting go. Here the focus > is not on any part of the body such as Ajna- eye brow > chakra but everywhere at once. > > Mantra is also slowly, the focus is on " doing nothing " > in some sense and allow a " let go " and then comes the > transcendence, the benediction.Thus it is Sharanagadhi > that gives the final vision of " Paramba " . > > It is not action that helps in the last stage but > inaction and surrender that results in Akhandakara > Vritti suggested by Panchadasi mantra. > > Reference: 1. Naishkarmya Siddhi by Adi Shankara. > Also ref 2. Bhagwad Geetha where Krishna talks about > action in inaction and inaction in action. > Love and blessings. > > Yours in Om and prem, > Sri Datta Yogi Raja > Chicago. > > --- para_anuloma <para_anuloma wrote: > > > Dear Joanna Ma, > > > > What one should visualize depends on many factors. > > There are no > > standard setof rules. Gheranda samhita gives a > > visualisation > > procedure which is verysimilar to what Shakti Gawain > > of modern times > > has given in her book Creative visualisation. > > > > I feel it depends on six factors mainly: > > > > 1. Mantra-dhyana---The mantra or the meditation > > which you are doing > > > > 2. Mantra Guru-upadesha--The Guru's instructions > > > > 3. Mantra Moorthy/devi--The deity or source of power > > > > 4. Mantra-Kaamyam--The purpose. > > > > 5. Mantra-nivasam--The place where you concentrate > > the mantra(heart > > region or the third eye region) > > > > 6. Mantra-Beejam--The symbol(seed symbol) of the > > Mantra(as directed > > by the preceptor) > > > > Keeping these in mind one should take a decision. > > But once a decision > > is taken then one should concentrate on the image to > > the exclusion of > > everything else. As if the whole world did not > > exists but you and the > > object of meditation. > > > > For example you imagine " Hreem " symbol(instead of > > Paraamba) in fire > > in the third eye region while chanting Panchadasi, > > then only three > > things exist as far as others are > > concerned---Hreem,you and your > > meditation and as far as you are concerned only one > > thing exists-- > > Hreem. > > > > When this total merger is achieved --when you > > concentrate,concentrate,concentrate...then suddenly > > you go to > > the " other side " of your consciousness. This flip > > happens when the > > observer and the observed become one.This quantum > > leap takes you to a > > higher dimension. > > > > Jaya Sarvamangala! > > > > Shreeram Balijepalli > > > > Rajarajeshwari_Kalpataru , > > " joannapollner " > > <joannapollner@> wrote: > > > > > > Hello Shreeram ji > > > > > > hope you could describe , what should one > > visualize during japa, > > > I would think the deity , Guru any other > > suggestions ? would be > > very > > > helpful. > > > > > > Namaste , Joanna > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 18, 2006 Report Share Posted June 18, 2006 Dearest Shreeram Thank You for your response , while mentaly repeating the mantra I visualize , colors ( usually white ) , and the Diety asociaated with the mantra, the bijas also there represent each Diety. I feel ok with it , ofcourse time will tell. I do feel tremendous difference though practcing after the initiation. There seems to be like a tremendous support from Guru energeticaly . thank you Shreeram )) > Dear, > > What was asked was a simple visualisation method, so I did not want > to broach on mantra Angas specifically. Since Joanna Ma had got a > mantra initiation from her Guru recently She was interested to know a > pattern of visualisation(for her single beeja mantra). > > I had given an elaborate posting on Mantra Anga.Please look at it > Joanna Ma. > > Love > > Shreeram Balijepalli > > Rajarajeshwari_Kalpataru , " J.B.S.L. Narasimha > Rao " <narsimha6@> wrote: > > > > Hi, > > Every Mantra is having saptangas (7 essential addins ) and they > are must while doing upasana.With out these 7 parts Mantra is useless > (according to MahaNirvana tantra), except Utchitta Chandali or > Mathangi (Only for mathangi not for other raja manthangi , and all ) > for all other God mantras its must.(what ever the Cult(sampradaya)) > > Saptangas for a Mantra : > > 1.Rishi(Brahma, Agathsya, Viswamitra, Vasista,...) > > 2.Chandassu(Gayatri, Anustubh,....) > > 3.Devatha (to whom it is addressed) > > 4.Purpose (Kaamya or Vinniyogam) > > 5.Anganyasam > > 6.Karanyasam > > 7.Pancha puja > > > > Upasana Panchangas > > 1.Devatha/Deva Hrudayam > > ******* mantra recitation ********* then > > 2.Mala Mantram > > 3.Kavacham > > 4.Astotharam > > 5.Sahasram > > > > Narasimha > > > > para_anuloma <para_anuloma@> wrote: > > Dear Joanna Ma, > > > > What one should visualize depends on many factors. There are no > > standard setof rules. Gheranda samhita gives a visualisation > > procedure which is verysimilar to what Shakti Gawain of modern > times > > has given in her book Creative visualisation. > > > > I feel it depends on six factors mainly: > > > > 1. Mantra-dhyana---The mantra or the meditation which you are doing > > > > 2. Mantra Guru-upadesha--The Guru's instructions > > > > 3. Mantra Moorthy/devi--The deity or source of power > > > > 4. Mantra-Kaamyam--The purpose. > > > > 5. Mantra-nivasam--The place where you concentrate the mantra(heart > > region or the third eye region) > > > > 6. Mantra-Beejam--The symbol(seed symbol) of the Mantra(as directed > > by the preceptor) > > > > Keeping these in mind one should take a decision. But once a > decision > > is taken then one should concentrate on the image to the exclusion > of > > everything else. As if the whole world did not exists but you and > the > > object of meditation. > > > > For example you imagine " Hreem " symbol(instead of Paraamba) in fire > > in the third eye region while chanting Panchadasi, then only three > > things exist as far as others are concerned---Hreem,you and your > > meditation and as far as you are concerned only one thing exists-- > > Hreem. > > > > When this total merger is achieved --when you > > concentrate,concentrate,concentrate...then suddenly you go to > > the " other side " of your consciousness. This flip happens when the > > observer and the observed become one.This quantum leap takes you to > a > > higher dimension. > > > > Jaya Sarvamangala! > > > > Shreeram Balijepalli > > > > Rajarajeshwari_Kalpataru , " joannapollner " > > <joannapollner@> wrote: > > > > > > Hello Shreeram ji > > > > > > hope you could describe , what should one visualize during japa, > > > I would think the deity , Guru any other suggestions ? would be > > very > > > helpful. > > > > > > Namaste , Joanna > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC > and save big. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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