Listening to the Inner Self-by Amma

[Guest guest]

LISTENING TO THE INNER SELF

 

Good listeners are rare in any context. Most people are so full at

themselves – their own feelings, thoughts, memories, opinions – that

they literally " have no space " to receive any new inputs from any

outside source. Listening is a necessary art which are must

cultivate, however, if one wishes to proceed on the Yoga Path. In

Sanskrit, it is considered the first stage of Sadhana and is called

Shravana. The second stage is Manama, or thinking about what one has

heard, and the third stage is Nidhtdyanasana, or meditating upon the

essence of the spiritual truth.

 

One can easily see that the entire edifice of spiritual

transformation rests on Shravana. Listening allows one to experience

that which one has not yet experienced through the testimony of one

who busy. Usually, Shravana is used in reference to the

Chela " listening " to the words of his Master, someone who he himself

now wishes to experience. It is much like wishing to see a particular

kind of bird in a jungle which one has never seen. One there " listen "

to the description of that bird given by someone who has " seen " it.

Having listened to that description, one can then recognize that bird

then which one sees it oneself.

 

Many Yogic and Vendantic scripture describe different kinds of

listeners. One such scripture is the Skanda Purana which describes

four kinds of ideal listeners, comparing them to various birds and

fishes.

 

1. Chataka-type: The Chataka bird drinks water directly from the

clouds that rain in an auspicious period of time. It waits for a

particular conjunctions of planets in order to quench its thirst from

those special clouds alone. Similarly, in ideal aspirant listens not

to every teaching abounding with illusion and falsehood, but only to

the Divine Wisdom presented by men of enlightenment and God-

realization.

 

2. Hamsa-type: Hamsa is a legendary swan endowed with the

ability to separate milk from a blend of milk and water. An ideal

aspirant is endowed with discernment. He separates the essence of

teachings from the watery elaborations designed to reach out to the

mind of the masses. He is able to distinguish authentic teachings

from the mass of numerous popular teachings. He accepts only those

teachings that are based upon rational insight.

 

3. Tota-type: Like smart totas or parrots, aspirants must

develop a sharp memory and be able to recite spiritual hymns and

verses. However, if they do not practise reflection and meditation,

their knowledge remains ineffective and shallow. With reflection,

they form an ideal class of aspirants.

 

4. Matsya-type: Those aspirants who, like the Matsya or fish,

become immersed in the nectarine water of divine sentiments are well

suited to tread the path of devotion. Ascending the summits of

devotion enables them to attain the fullness of wisdom.

 

The same Purna also warns however against becoming like

other " listeners " who through their negative characteristic, miss out

on the spiritual opportunities presented through Shravana.

 

1. Vrik-type: Like a wolf (vrik), such an aspirant disturbs the

harmony of a spiritual (satsanga) by creating wolfish howls of vain

complaints. He continues to disturb others.

 

2. Bhurunda-type: A Bhurunda bird is filled with enthusiasm in

the presence of others. This type of aspirant repeats verses only to

show their greatness to others but does not practise the spiritual

teachings for spiritual advancement.

 

3. Vrishabha-type: One who is unable to discriminate between a

sublime teaching and a false teaching is as insensitive as a bull or

brishabha. For such a person all discourses are like. He is unable to

elevate himself as he continues to run from one teacher to another.

Like an ox, he simply carries the burden of information, but is

unable to transform his life.

 

4. Ushtra-type: One who is like a camel or Ushtra prefers to

listen to only those teachings that are based upon a perverted

understanding. He is happy to hear criticism against sages and

scriptures and is ready to see others' defects wherever he turns. He

is unable to melt the hump of his ego.