Spiritual Communication, development of

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The voice is the external instrument of communication.

Bhavana (internal emotional posture) is the internal

instrument. To progress spiritually, reduce the

first, increase the second.

 

It is by means of bhavana that one makes contact with

the deity denoted by a particular bija akshara. That

is why before all slokas you have the section

describing the deity (the energy), the bija (the

frequency or key), the rishi (who conceived), the

metre (the rythmic encoding of the message), etc. By

adopting the proper bhavana, you establish a

communications channel with that particular life-force

or energy. Slokas are not just a sequence of words,

they are doorways to the thought patterns and life

force energies of the particular subject (deities)

referred to by those slokas. Mantras (e.g., Om Namo

Narayanaya, or Om Namah Shivaya) are shorter " keys "

that unlock the bhavana of those particular deities.

Those energies direct the thought patterns of a

particular individual invoking them, and thus the

person's thoughts become aligned with the particular

deity invoked. This automatically invokes the

spiritual evolvement of that individual guided by that

particular deity's energies.

 

It is not sufficient to repeat mantras and slokas

mechanically (it is necessary, but not sufficient).

One must understand the underlying bhavana of that

particular stotram. To develop such bhavana,

ekagratha (one-pointed concentration) is a

pre-requisite. To chant mantras or slokas with the

attention directed in 1000 different directions is a

waste of time. You must have the intentional will to

focus your mind in a given direction, come what may.

Otherwise, you will not succeed in developing

ekagratha. The force of will required to govern and

direct the mind along a particular direction may be

developed by abhyasa (constant practice). When once

the will force is strong enough, the mind will

naturally succumb to the intention of the individual,

and behave without resistance. This is mental

discipline.

 

To assist devotees in developing their spiritual

capacity to tune into the bhavana underlying a

particular stotra or raaga, Sri Swamiji has composed

numerous bhajans and other musical compositions, with

appropriate accompaniments. Listen with rapt

attention, and take note of the emotional context

underlying those compositions. This is the purpose of

reading the stories and listening to the bhajans

associated with a particular deity - because they act

together to develop the spiritual perception latent

within the individual gradually over time. Once the

spiritual perception is developed, the spiritual

progress is then determined through internal

processes, no longer dependent on external stimuli.

The sadhaka has been turned inwards and will rest in

this natural state of receptivity. The outward going

mind increases the distracted state of the ego, while

the inward turned mind increases the receptivity of

the individual. As the mind becomes more inward, the

personality becomes more attuned to nature's energies,

responding like a finely tuned crystal.

 

The spirit communes with spirit through the Anahata

Chakra. This chakra, in the system of yoga, is

physically correlated within the heart space of the

body. It is from this center that one can tune into

SatGuru, or any other life-force within the universe.

The process of translating thoughts into bhavana is

the outgoing message. While perfect receptivity

through the development of the inner ear is made

possible by perfecting the ability to listen with rapt

attention.

 

So again, the key is to listen, with rapt attention.

Do not force any particular emotional states because

you think that is how someone 'should' respond, you

will be kidding yourself. Only a serious minded

practitioner will have the internal honesty to reject

false emotional states created on the surface by the

ego and to accept only the real emotions that arise

spontaneously. Just listen, and one day, the

awareness will begin to mature on its own - like a

fruit ripening on a tree and falling off. It is not a

process that can be commanded, demanded, or forced.

Maintaining silence, practicing active patience

(subduing the ego's need for immediate results or

responses), and a finely attuned inner awareness, are

very important. You are ultimately responsible for

yourself - knowing this, if you practice with

seriousness, you will succeed. No one else can 'give'

it to you - but you must 'want' it seriously to get

results. To want it " seriously " you must have a

proper world view of why it is important and how

spiritual progress fits into your life. Without that,

you won't have the motivation or the perseverance to

see your practice through to the end. This means

following all the basics like reading, reflecting,

practicing at all times, and listening to SatGuru's

words and so on.

 

Worship of Ganapati will naturally lead the sadhaka to

the state of receptivity (large fan like ears) and

mental subtlety (mushika vahanam, i.e,. mouse

vehicle). That is the Ganapati tattva afterall.

Recall: Swamiji donated one of His ears to Ganapati.

 

Jaya Guru Datta!

 

 

 

---

Gurorangripadme ManaScenna Lagnam tata: kim! tata: kim! tata: kim! tata: kim!?

Sarva Kartha, Sarva Dhartha, Sarva Hartha, Mangalam!

Satchidananda, Satchidananda, Satchidananda Mangalam!

Tasmai Sri Guru-murthaye Nama Idam Sri Dakshinamurtaye!

 

Ata Nityo Narayanaha, Brahma Narayanaha, Sivascha Narayanaha, Kalascha

Narayanaha. Disascha Narayanaha, Vidisascha Narayanaha, Urdwamscha Narayanaha,

Adhascha Narayanaha, Antar-bahischa-Narayana.Narayana Eh Vedam Sarvam, Yat

BhootamYacchha Bhavyam.Nish-kalango Niranjano Nirvikalpo Nirakyadhas,suddhho

Deva Eko Narayanaha, Na dwiteeyosthi kaschit,ya evam Vedas Vishnu reva Bhavati,

Sa Vishnureva Bhavathi, Etat yajur veda sirodeeyathe.

 

~*Om * Ayim * Hreem * Sreem * Siva * Rama * Anagha * Dattaya * Namaha*~