Guest guest Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Dear All (Grace dear, I will answer your questions in my next post tomorrow. Hope its OK) Today we move into Dhyanam – which means – Meditation. The term dhyanam or meditation, is used in two contexts, both related and both part of this puja. The first meaning refers to a verse that describes the deity – in this case – Lord Shiva. The second is the more popular meaning, which refers to the process of chanting and reciting the japa mantra for us to go deeper within. The Dhyanam verse in the Beginner Shiva Book starts with “Om Dhyayen nityam Mahesham…” and ends with “….panchavaktram trinetram” If you read this verse, it is a very descriptive piece of poetry. It describes Shiva, surrounded by devotees. It describes how he looks, his face, his eyes, etc etc. This to me signifies the use of the wandering mind to tame itself. We all know, how all too often, we sit for “meditation”, but as Swamiji says, “we go to the movies”. Well, if our minds are such that they can’t be silent, why not make them focus on a movie on Lord Shiva? So our minds are still wandering, but they are now wandering on Shiva, for a change. We look at him – he is shining like a white mountain, and oh look there is a moon on his forehead. Not a full moon, but a crescent. His body is glowing, like jewels. What does he have in his hands? How does he look? Who is around him? What are they saying? Our minds, focusing on Shiva, gradually settle down. We think of Shiva, we dream of Shiva, we visualize Shiva, and all these efforts serve one purpose - to get us out of our world and into his; so that we too may become a God singing hymns in His praise. With Shiva absorbing our every thought, and our yearning for union, is it not then natural to take on the characteristics of Shiva and have him on every part of our body? This then moves us into the Nyasas – or establishment of the Bija mantra of our beloved deity on our body. OK, before we get into the Nyas, a small technical detail for the dhyanam. Place a flower in your left hand (if you don’t have one no worries) and cover with your right hand, and then recite the dhyanam. When you have completed the chanting of the dhyanam, offer that flower to your lord. Onward to Nyasas. There are several Nyasas- in the beginner puja we focus on two kinds- Kara Nyas – which means establishment of the bija on the fingers, and Anga Nyas – which means establishment of the bija on the body. Let us focus on Kara Nyas for today. Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your index finger and recite “om nam angushtabhyam namaha” Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your index finger and recite “ om mah tarjanibhyam swaha” Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your middle finger and recite ”om shim madhyamabhyam vashat” Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your ring finger and recite “om vam anamikabhyam hum” Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your little finger and recite “om yah kanishthikabhyam vaushat” And yes, you would do both the hands at the same time. Here is how we roll our hands. Fold your arms in front of your chest - left hand closer to your body. Keep a space between your hands and your chest for movement of the hands. When you say "karatala kara" - roll your hands clockwise around each other When you say “prshtabhyam”, - roll your hands anticlockwise around each other And then “astraya” - roll your hands clockwise once more “phat” - clap your hands. There, you have sealed “NaMaShiVaYa” in your hands and from now on everything you touch is filled with Shiva. Hope this helps. Please let me know of any questions. Tomorrow we will focus on the Anga Nyas and JAPA. Jai Maa Nanda Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Nandaji, you have given such a clear and beautiful description of the meditation and nyasa process, that I have no questions at all. I think I will go to see the Shiva movie instead. Thank you for forwarding my questions concerning day 10 to Swamiji and please thank him for his time and consideration, with love, Henny , Nanda <chandimaakijai> wrote: > > Dear All > > (Grace dear, I will answer your questions in my next post tomorrow. Hope its OK) > > > > Today we move into Dhyanam – which means – Meditation. > > > > The term dhyanam or meditation, is used in two contexts, both related and both part of this puja. > > > > The first meaning refers to a verse that describes the deity – in this case – Lord Shiva. > > The second is the more popular meaning, which refers to the process of chanting and reciting the japa mantra for us to go deeper within. > > > > The Dhyanam verse in the Beginner Shiva Book starts with > > "Om Dhyayen nityam Mahesham…" and ends with "….panchavaktram trinetram" > > > > If you read this verse, it is a very descriptive piece of poetry. It describes Shiva, surrounded by devotees. It describes how he looks, his face, his eyes, etc etc. > > > > This to me signifies the use of the wandering mind to tame itself. We all know, how all too often, we sit for "meditation", but as Swamiji says, "we go to the movies". > > > > Well, if our minds are such that they can't be silent, why not make them focus on a movie on Lord Shiva? > > > > So our minds are still wandering, but they are now wandering on Shiva, for a change. > > > > We look at him – he is shining like a white mountain, and oh look there is a moon on his forehead. Not a full moon, but a crescent. His body is glowing, like jewels. What does he have in his hands? How does he look? Who is around him? What are they saying? > > > > Our minds, focusing on Shiva, gradually settle down. We think of Shiva, we dream of Shiva, we visualize Shiva, and all these efforts serve one purpose - to get us out of our world and into his; so that we too may become a God singing hymns in His praise. > > > > With Shiva absorbing our every thought, and our yearning for union, is it not then natural to take on the characteristics of Shiva and have him on every part of our body? > > > > This then moves us into the Nyasas – or establishment of the Bija mantra of our beloved deity on our body. > > > > OK, before we get into the Nyas, a small technical detail for the dhyanam. Place a flower in your left hand (if you don't have one no worries) and cover with your right hand, and then recite the dhyanam. When you have completed the chanting of the dhyanam, offer that flower to your lord. > > > > Onward to Nyasas. > > > > There are several Nyasas- in the beginner puja we focus on two kinds- Kara Nyas – which means establishment of the bija on the fingers, and Anga Nyas – which means establishment of the bija on the body. > > > > Let us focus on Kara Nyas for today. > > > > Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your index finger and recite > > "om nam angushtabhyam namaha" > > > > Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your index finger and recite > > " om mah tarjanibhyam swaha" > > > > Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your middle finger and recite > "om shim madhyamabhyam vashat" > > > > Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your ring finger and recite > > "om vam anamikabhyam hum" > > > > Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your little finger and recite > > "om yah kanishthikabhyam vaushat" > > > > And yes, you would do both the hands at the same time. > > > > Here is how we roll our hands. Fold your arms in front of your chest - left hand closer to your body. Keep a space between your hands and your chest for movement of the hands. > > > > When you say "karatala kara" - roll your hands clockwise around each other > > > > When you say "prshtabhyam", - roll your hands anticlockwise around each other > > > > And then "astraya" - roll your hands clockwise once more > > > > "phat" - clap your hands. > > > > There, you have sealed "NaMaShiVaYa" in your hands and from now on everything you touch is filled with Shiva. > > > > Hope this helps. Please let me know of any questions. Tomorrow we will focus on the Anga Nyas and JAPA. > > > > Jai Maa > > Nanda > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 Dear Nanda, A beautiful description... My question is on the rolling...how do you fold your arms. I had been going into the namaste, with palms together and then rolling my hands forwards and backward, with the main movement coming from t he wrists. I am not sure I am any clearer than you. Jai Maa and Jai Swamiji Grace On 29/03/2005, at 5:54 PM, Nanda wrote: > Dear All > > (Grace dear, I will answer your questions in my next post tomorrow. > Hope its OK) > > > > Today we move into Dhyanam – which means – Meditation. > > > > The term dhyanam or meditation, is used in two contexts, both related > and both part of this puja. > > > > The first meaning refers to a verse that describes the deity – in this > case – Lord Shiva. > > The second is the more popular meaning, which refers to the process of > chanting and reciting the japa mantra for us to go deeper within. > > > > The Dhyanam verse in the Beginner Shiva Book starts with > > “Om Dhyayen nityam Mahesham…” and ends with “….panchavaktram trinetram” > > > > If you read this verse, it is a very descriptive piece of poetry. It > describes Shiva, surrounded by devotees. It describes how he looks, > his face, his eyes, etc etc. > > > > This to me signifies the use of the wandering mind to tame itself. We > all know, how all too often, we sit for “meditation”, but as Swamiji > says, “we go to the movies”. > > > > Well, if our minds are such that they can’t be silent, why not make > them focus on a movie on Lord Shiva? > > > > So our minds are still wandering, but they are now wandering on Shiva, > for a change. > > > > We look at him – he is shining like a white mountain, and oh look > there is a moon on his forehead. Not a full moon, but a crescent. His > body is glowing, like jewels. What does he have in his hands? How does > he look? Who is around him? What are they saying? > > > > Our minds, focusing on Shiva, gradually settle down. We think of > Shiva, we dream of Shiva, we visualize Shiva, and all these efforts > serve one purpose - to get us out of our world and into his; so that > we too may become a God singing hymns in His praise. > > > > With Shiva absorbing our every thought, and our yearning for union, is > it not then natural to take on the characteristics of Shiva and have > him on every part of our body? > > > > This then moves us into the Nyasas – or establishment of the Bija > mantra of our beloved deity on our body. > > > > OK, before we get into the Nyas, a small technical detail for the > dhyanam. Place a flower in your left hand (if you don’t have one no > worries) and cover with your right hand, and then recite the dhyanam. > When you have completed the chanting of the dhyanam, offer that flower > to your lord. > > > > Onward to Nyasas. > > > > There are several Nyasas- in the beginner puja we focus on two kinds- > Kara Nyas – which means establishment of the bija on the fingers, and > Anga Nyas – which means establishment of the bija on the body. > > > > Let us focus on Kara Nyas for today. > > > > Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your index finger and > recite > > “om nam angushtabhyam namaha” > > > > Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your index finger and > recite > > “ om mah tarjanibhyam swaha” > > > > Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your middle finger and > recite > ”om shim madhyamabhyam vashat” > > > > Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your ring finger and recite > > “om vam anamikabhyam hum” > > > > Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your little finger and > recite > > “om yah kanishthikabhyam vaushat” > > > > And yes, you would do both the hands at the same time. > > > > Here is how we roll our hands. Fold your arms in front of your chest - > left hand closer to your body. Keep a space between your hands and > your chest for movement of the hands. > > > > When you say "karatala kara" - roll your hands clockwise around each > other > > > > When you say “prshtabhyam”, - roll your hands anticlockwise around > each other > > > > And then “astraya” - roll your hands clockwise once more > > > > “phat” - clap your hands. > > > > There, you have sealed “NaMaShiVaYa” in your hands and from now on > everything you touch is filled with Shiva. > > > > Hope this helps. Please let me know of any questions. Tomorrow we will > focus on the Anga Nyas and JAPA. > > > > Jai Maa > > Nanda > > > > > > Sponsor > > > > Children International > > Would you give Hope to a Child in need? > > > <332170_011805_newchildforemail.jpg> > > · > Click Here to meet a Girl > And Give Her Hope > > · > Click Here to meet a Boy > And Change His Life > > Learn More > > <l.gif> > > Links > > • > / > > • > > > • Terms of > Service. > > Attachment: (text/enriched) [not stored] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 29, 2005 Report Share Posted March 29, 2005 read on for my comments in the spaces in between the lines... > Let us focus on Kara Nyas for today.> Touch the top of your thumb with the top of your index finger and oh, this brings good clarity for me. i was just touching kind of haphazardly--but this seems a more rounded position if i am doing it correctly. > And yes, you would do both the hands at the same time. wow! i had no idea of this at all. this is good to know. > Here is how we roll our hands. Fold your arms in front of your chest - > left hand closer to your body. Keep a space between your hands and > your chest for movement of the hands. i don't get this at all. i have just been rolling my hands forward and backward as directed with movement coming from the wrists, too, (like grace). i cannot even picture what you mean by folded arms. > When you say "karatala kara" - roll your hands clockwise around each > other> When you say “prshtabhyam”, - roll your hands anticlockwise around > each other>and does this position mean instead of going like around and horizontally, that it is more of a vertical positioning? > And then “astraya” - roll your hands clockwise once more ok!Be Love, Berijoy http://www.egyirba.net ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ You never miss your water 'til your well runs dry. Give thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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