Sound
Sound is all around us, all kinds of sound at all the time. Every hour of the day has it's characteristic sounds. For me the chirping of birds is a sign of dawn, while a cacophony of excited birds, dusk. The mornings a clutter of utensils and cooking in kitchen, vehicles on street etc. Afternoons are quiet with the T.V. chattering in the next room. The most beautiful sound hours are, the Night and Early morning hours. There is a divine rhythm vibrating at that hour. The serenity and depth of those hours are relaxing and calming. As if the nature is meditating and the vibrations are reverberating through us. Wow !
Songs and poems are there with us since childhood. In the form of lullabies and later songs. A poem written to depict joy brings joy to us when we listen to it. Though it was another's experience. A song of patriotism raises our patriotic spirit. A song or sound of pathos makes us sad. Sometimes we cry. An inspirational song fills us with courage. These feelings are triggered or evoked from inside us whether we understand the language or not. Often listening to National Anthems of different countries, during Olympics, used to make me feel for that country and it's nationals. Mantras are a spiritual followers sound choice. :)
Spiritual Anthem.
Mantra
A mantra is a verbal expression of an elevated state of being. A vibration, sound and collection of words that is connected with that state. When we repeat it, whether we understand or not, it recreates that state within us. Be it Mahamrityunjay Mantra, Maha Mantra, Gayatri Mantra, Saundarya Lahari, Vishnu Sahsranaman or Shiv Shadakshar Stotra or Durga Dvatrinsha Mala. Any mantra has within it the frequencies and energies of of its state. Sound is energy of varying frequencies and amplitudes. There are audible sounds and there are humanly inaudible sounds that effect us, as well. Sounds are constantly effecting us at gross level. A mantra effects us at deeper levels of sub conscious and unconscious. Loud chanting of mantras in groups for a prolonged period on a regular basis at a regular spot increases the vibration of the environment manifolds. It gets imprinted/recorded into the magnetic field of the space. Just as sound used to be recorded on magnetic audio cassette tapes.
Everything around is emitting sound radiation which we can tune in to, if we wish. We can also tune in to our internal frequency. The Guru Mantra is a bridge to our personality. The other path is Silence or Mauna.
Mauna
When we are silent. Really silent our inner sound starts coming through clearly without the external clutter. These may manifest as inspired words or music or song or compassion. Mauna is a very powerful practice. It helps us develop focus and mental clarity. It stops the dissipation due to extreme verbosity. Most of us are insecure and uncomfortable around silence or quiet people. We start chattering and making small talks. Those who practice Mauna have a sweet, deep and steady personality. They appear more gathered and kind. Sri Aurobindo Ghosh was a Muni.
One of the best way to heal from the kleshas (disorders) in this complex times, is Kirtan. The Kirtan is way of connecting with the divine. The words extol the virtues of great devotees and the devoted beings. Bhajans are a way of re-aligning our frayed emotions. We live in times where we feel lost and faithless. There is no one we can trust. Values are being challenged, There is new order of living coming into existence, which we do not want to accept. We are comfortable with old out dated ways and feel comfortable only that way. Kirtans and Bhajans give us a feeling of serenity and stability. we feel more and more inclined to accept changes. We feel courageous and confident in the new order. We don't feel left out. We develop tolerance and feeling of connecteness. It is generally a community activity. People do it in gatherings, either on regular basis or occasionally for special events.
