The Baptism of Jesus - Part 13

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The Baptism of Jesus - Part 13

 

Meditation on 'Aum'

brings baptism in the

Holy Ghost and

Christ Consciousness

 

(p.123) By a guru-given technique of meditation on 'Aum' ('Om'), such as I have

taught to Self-Realization Fellowship students, [1] the sacred 'Aum' vibration

of the Holy Ghost can be heard in meditation through the supersensory medium of

intuition. First, the devotee realizes 'Aum' as the manifested cosmic energy in

all matter. The earthly sounds of all atomic motion, including the sounds of the

body--the heart, lungs, circulation, cellular activity--come from the cosmic

sound of the creative vibratory activity of 'Aum'. The sounds of the nine

octaves perceptible to the human ear, as well as all cosmic low or high

vibrations that cannot be registered by the human ear, have their origin in

'Aum'. So also, all forms of light--fire, sunlight, electricity, astral

light--are expressions of the primal cosmic energy of 'Aum'.

 

This Holy Vibration working in the subtle spinal centers of the astral body

[which altogether is called the 'Subtle System' in Sahaja Yoga], sending forth

life force and consciousness into the physical body, manifests as wonderful

astral ['subtle'] sounds--each one characteristic of its particular center of

activity. These astral [or subtle] sounds are likened to melodic strains of the

humming of a bee, the tone of a flute, a stringed instrument such as a harp, a

bell-like or gong sound, the soothing roar of a distant sea, and a cosmic

symphony of all vibratory sound. The Self-Realization Fellowship technique of

meditation on 'Aum' teaches one to hear and locate these astral [or subtle]

sounds. This aids the awakening of the divine consciousness locked in the spinal

centers, opening them to " make straight " the way of ascension to

God-realization. [break Quote]

 

[Though in Kriya Yoga one may be asked to look out for these sounds, in Sahaja

Yoga we are just told to put our attention on the Divine Within, on the Holy

Spirit. Shri Mataji has often mentioned that the Kundalini energy makes these

different sounds as She rises. That is what these subtle sounds have to be. Even

though i don't recall Shri Mataji ever saying to listen out for the particular

abovementioned sounds, i have to admit i have heard them. i have heard the sound

like a bee, like a flute, like an orchestra, like the sea, and bell-like and

gong-like sounds. They always surprised me and though i would be in deep

meditation, i knew there was no external bee, flute, orchestra, sea, bell or

gong. i knew that they came from within, though i had never heard that such

could occur...but we know now, that the Whole Universe is actually within

us!....And i have heard the Utter Silence of the Universe Within, which is the

most satisfying of all. The other sounds can take you to a higher state of

being, but the Utter Silence is the experience of 'Total Being'. It is the

Ultimate. In That, Everything is Known in an experiential sense. One 'just Is'

part of the Cosmic Body, and Knows it and Feels It--as one is Experiencing It.

It is an Expansion of Consciousness that takes in Everything and Everybody and

is Very Blissful. It is Pure Bliss. However, we have work to do, to transform

this world, and cannot totally remain in that Pure Bliss State, but we can take

its strength and transform this world--and help others to have their

Self-realization! We are here to do a Job, the greatest and most satisfying Job

in the World.]

 

[Resume Quote]:

 

As the devotee concentrates on 'Aum', first by mentally chanting 'Aum', and then

by actually hearing that sound, his mind is diverted from the physical sounds of

matter outside his body to the circulatory and other sounds of the vibrating

flesh. Then his consciousness is diverted from the vibrations of the physical

body to the musical vibrations of the spinal centers of the astral [or subtle]

body. (p.124) His consciousness then expands from the vibrations of the astral

body [or subtle body] to the vibrations of consciousness in the causal body and

in the omnipresence of the Holy Ghost. [break Quote]

 

i think this is the stage which the majority of the sincere Subtle System Yogis

of Sahaja Yoga following the SYSSR (Sahaja Yoga Subtle System Religion) have

reached, that is, specifically that - 'their consciousness is diverted from the

physical body to the subtle body', through Sahaja Yoga, and this is, of course,

an important step, and a good thing. But, in general, they have not yet reached

the stage where it can be said of them, that: " His consciousness vibrates

simultaneously in his body, in the sphere of the earth, the planets, the

universes, and in every particle of matter, space, and astral [or subtle]

manifestation " . That is only possible through the knowledge and power of the

Holy Ghost within, and not just through daily, even though sincerely, doing the

external rituals, to achieve that. It takes a lot more than mere rituals. It

take Self-realization, which is " going beyond the rituals " and experiencing the

Expansion of the Holy Ghost Within!

 

[Resume Quote]:

 

When the devotee's consciousness is able not only to hear the cosmic sound of

'Aum', but also to feel its actual presence in every unit of space, in all

finite vibrating matter, then the soul of the devotee becomes one with the Holy

Ghost. His consciousness vibrates simultaneously in his body, in the sphere of

the earth, the planets, the universes, and in every particle of matter, space,

and astral [or subtle] manifestation. Through the expanding power of the Holy

Ghost, the all-spreading 'Aum'-vibrating sound heard in meditation, the

consciousness then becomes immersed, or baptized, in the sacred stream of Christ

Consciousness.

 

These progressively higher states of realization are attained through deeper and

longer meditation as guided by the guru. But from the very beginning, the

blessings of contact with 'Aum' become increasingly manifest.

 

The uplifting vibrations of " the Comforter " bring profound inner peace and joy.

The Creative Vibration vitalizes the individual life force in the body, which

conduces to health and well-being, and can be consciously directed as healing

power to those in need of divine aid. [2] Being the source of intelligent

creativity, the 'Aum' vibration inspires one's own initiative, ingenuity, and

will.

 

Baptism in the vibration of the Holy Ghost loosens the hold of bad habits and

wrong desires, and aids in the establishment of good habits and

desires--ultimately transmuting desire itself into a single-hearted attraction

to blessed contact with God. To know God is not the negation of desires, but

rather complete fulfillment. Just as by feeding somebody else one's own hunger

cannot be appeased, so the soul can never be satisfied by catering to the

senses. The senses crave indulgence, greed, and temptations to excite and amuse

them; the soul feels fulfilled only by the calmness, peace, and bliss bestowed

by meditation and the moderate use of the sensory instruments.

 

(p.125) Ambition for good things, noble achievements, and spiritual work,

serving the many, should be instituted to displace selfishness and greed, and

the limiting circumscription of sole consideration for one's self and one's

immediate family. When undertaken in the thought of God, there is great

enjoyment in all good work and achievements.

 

By contacting God in the world and in meditation, all desires of the heart are

fulfilled; for nothing is more worthwhile, more pleasant or attractive than the

all-satisfying, ever-new joy of God.

 

Desire limits the consciousness to the object of desire. Love for all good

things as expressions of God expands man's consciousness. One who bathes his

consciousness in the Holy Ghost becomes unattached to personal desires and

objects while enjoying everything with the joyousness of God within.

 

The Second Coming of Christ (The Resurrection of the Christ Within

You) Volume 1, Discourse 6, pg. 123-125

Paramahansa Yogananda

Printed in the United States of America 1434-J881

ISBN-13:978-0-87612-557-1

ISBN-10:0-87612-557-7

 

Notes:

 

[1] Available in the 'Self-Realization Fellowship Lessons' (see page 1575).

 

[2] Paramahansa Yogananda daily prayed for and sent healing energy to all who

had asked for his help, and taught his disciples a special technique of sending

the healing power of 'Aum' to aid others in overcoming physical, mental, and

spiritual difficulties. This service is continued today by the Prayer Council at

Self-Realization Fellowship International Headquarters, joined by the thousands

of members of the SRF Worldwide Prayer Circle in praying for those in need and

for world peace. See footnote on page 420. ('Publisher's Note')