Surat Shabd Yoga From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Surat Shabd Yoga or Surat Shabda Yoga is a form of spiritual practice that is followed in the Sant Mat and many other related spiritual traditions. Surat means "attention," or "face," which is the outward expression of the soul,[1] shabd means "word" and yoga means "union." The term "word" means the “Sound Current,” the “Audible Life Stream” or the “Essence of the Absolute Supreme Being,” that is, the dynamic force of creative energy that was sent out, as sound vibration, from the Supreme Being into the abyss of space at the dawn of the universe's manifestation, and that is being sent forth, through the ages, framing all things that constitute and inhabit the universe.[2]. The etymology of "Surat Shabda Yoga" presents its purpose: the "Union of the Soul with the Essence of the Absolute Supreme Being." Other expressions for Surat Shabda Yoga include Sehaj Yoga (an easy path leading to Sehaj or equipoise) The Path of Light and Sound, The Path of the Sants, The Journey of Soul, and The Yoga of the Sound Current. Contents [hide] • 1 Basic principles • 2 Movements and masters • 2.1 Variations in movements • 3 Notes and references Basic principles Sehaj word states as Guru of love, Guru of Trust, Guru of War, Guru of Time, Guru of Power. The stated purpose of Surat Shabda Yoga is to realize the individual's True Self (Self-Realization), True Essence
(Spirit-Realization) and True Divinity (God-Realization) while living in the human physical body. This Journey of Soul involves reuniting in stages with what is called the Essence of the Absolute Supreme Being, the Shabd. Attaining self-realization and above also results in jivan moksha/mukti, liberation/release from samsara, the cycle of karma and reincarnation while in the physical body. Initiation by an Outer Living Satguru (Sat - true, Guru - teacher) is required, and involves reactivating the Shabd and stationing the Inner Shabda Master (the Radiant Form of the Master) at the third eye (tisra til) chakra. The spiritual exercises (sadhanas) include simran (repetition, particularly silent repetition of a mantra given at initiation), dhyan (concentration, viewing, or contemplation, particularly on the Inner Master), and bhajan (listening to the inner sounds of the Shabda or the Shabda Master). Surat Shabd Yoga cosmology depicts the whole of creation (the macrocosm) as being emanated and arranged in a spiritually differentiated hierarchy, often referred to as eggs, regions, or planes. Typically, eight spiritual levels are described above the physical plane, although names and subdivisions within these levels will vary to some extent by movement and Master. In this arrangement, Self-Realization is attained in the third heaven level, Daswan Dwar, Spirit-Realization is attained in the fourth heaven level, Bhanwar Gupha, and GodRealization is attained in the fifth heaven level, Sach Kand (Sat Lok). (One version of the creation from a Surat Shabda Yoga perspective is depicted at the Sant Ajaib Singh Ji Memorial Site [3]). All planes below the purely spiritual regions are subject to cycles of creation and dissolution (pralya) or great dissolution (maha pralya). This cosmology presents the constitution of the initiate (the microcosm) as an exact replica of the macrocosm. Consequently, the microcosm consists of a number of bodies, each one suited to interact with its corresponding plane or region in the macrocosm. These bodies developed over the yugas through involution (emanating from higher planes to lower planes) and evolution (returning from lower planes to
higher planes), including by karma and reincarnation in various states of consciousness. The Path of Light and Sound involves the initiate traveling the microcosm dharmicly in consciousness (soul) with the guidance and protection of the Outer Living Master in the physical world and the Inner Shabd Master in the higher worlds until the regions of pure spirituality are reached and God-Realization is attained. Movements and masters Main articles: Sant Mat, Contemporary Sant Mat movement, and Radha Soami Adherents believe Surat Shabda Yoga has been expressed through the movements of many different masters. However, because a basic principle of Surat Shabd Yoga's tradition is the requirement for an outer Living Master to initiate followers onto the Path, those movements whose historical Satgurus have died and their successors do not purport themselves to be Surat Shabd Yoga Satgurus, usually are not considered currently to be Surat Shabd Yoga movements, either by their own leaders or by movements with current Living Masters. The Radhasoami movement of Surat Shabda Yoga was established by Shiv Dayal Singh (1818–1878) in 1861 and named "Radhasoami Satsang" circa 1866. Soamiji Maharaj, as he was known, presided over the satsang meetings for seventeen years at Panni Gali and Soami Bagh in Agra, India, until he died on June 15, 1878.[4] Accounts of his guru and successors vary, although he did give verbal instructions on his last day as to how his followers should be cared for.[5] According to Radha Soami Satsang Beas, his guru was Tulsi Sahib of Hathras. According to Soami Bagh and Dayal Bagh successors, Tulsi Sahib [6] was a contemporary guru of the same teachings, but being a natural born Satguru, Shiv Dayal Singh himself had no guru. After his death, six immediate successors carried on Shiv Dayal Singh!s teachings, including Huzur Maharaj Rai Salig Ram of Peepal Mandi, Agra, and Babaji Maharaj Jaimal Singh of Dera Baba Jaimal
Singh the present day headquarters of (RSSB), Radha Soami Satsang Beas. A chart of the offshoot successor lineages helps show the connections among many of the contemporary Sant Mat guru lines and branches.[7] More information on living masters related to Shiv Dayal Singh's lineage can be found in the Contemporary Sant Mat movement article. Sant Kirpal Singh, a contemporary Sant Mat guru, stated that "Naam" ("Word") has been described in many traditions through the use of several different terms. In his teachings [8], the following expressions are interpreted as being identical to "Naam": • • • • • • • •
"Naad", "Akash Bani", and "Sruti" in the Vedas "Nada" and "Udgit" in the Upanishads "Logos" and "Word" in the New Testament "Tao" by Lao Zi "Music of the Spheres" by Pythagoras "Sraosha" by Zoraster "Kalma" and "Kalam-i-Qadim" in the Qur'an "Naam", "Akhand Kirtan" and "Sacha ('True') Shabd" by Guru Granth Sahib The more recently promulgated Quan Yin Method of meditation espoused via the spiritual teachings of Supreme Master Ching Hai has notable similarities to Surat Shabd Yoga. Eckankar, an American movement, has many links to Surat Shabd Yoga, including terminology, although its American founder Paul Twitchell disassociated himself from his former teacher Kirpal Singh. The Ancient Wisdom New Dawn Society is linked to Surat Shabd Yoga, and the Sant Mat tradition. AWNDS was founded in part among an elder healing society in Southern India and West Africa. This movement is an educational organization, and meditation society. Their teachings are heavily influenced by Kirpal Singh. The organization is incorporated in the United States, and found in several countries worldwide. It!s under the leadership of the Awandi Akim
Amen,a Transformational Master. The Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, also founded in America in 1971 by John-Roger and now with students in 32 countries,[9] also teaches a similar form of active meditation, called spiritual exercises, using the Sound Current and ancient Sanskrit tones in order to traverse and return back to the higher realms of Spirit and into God. [10] MasterPath is another contemporary American movement of Surat Shabda Yoga. The founder and self-proclaimed Living Master, Gary Olsen, contends that several historical figures are Sat Gurus of Surat Shabda Yoga as representatives for the eternal Inner Shabda Master. A few of these Living Masters of their times include Lao Tsu, Jesus, Pythagoras, Socrates, Kabir, the Sufi Masters and mystic poets Hafez and Rumi, the Ten Sikh Gurus beginning with Guru Nanak, Tulsi Sahib, and the Radhasoami/Radha Soami and offshoot Masters, including Shiv Dayal Singh, Baba Sawan Singh, Baba Faqir Chand and Sant Kirpal Singh. The ten Sikh Satgurus discuss the inner sound and inner light a lot in their scriptures. The first Sikh Satguru was Guru Nanak, but his master (guru) was Waheguru. The above masters teach these 2 techniques. There is a master that teaches 4 techniques that include these 2 of inner light and inner music. He teaches inner light (sight), inner music (hearing), primordial vibration (sense of touch) and nectar (taste and smell). These correspond to the 5 senses and this is how you turn them inward to experience what is inside of you. See Vishnu with his 4 arms and they correspond to these. One hand is holding a circle (chakra) of light. Another is holding a conch shell for the inner sound (hold it to your ear and you hear something). Another hand is holding a lotus flower to refer to nectar and the 4th hand is holding a metal club (mace) for the inner vibration. If you hit something with it, it vibrates like a tuning fork. Some people refer to this inner energy as the soul.
Variations in movements Although all movements of Surat Shabd Yoga will have common elements related to the basic principles, notable variations also exist. For example, before he left his physical body, the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, nominated the Guru Granth Sahib (a sacred text) as the next and perpetual Guru of the Sikhs. Other movements continue to require a Living Master to initiate students into the Shabda. Movements also will vary in the names used to describe the Absolute Supreme Being (God), including Anami Purush (nameless power) and Radha Soami (lord of the soul); the presiding deities and divisions of the macrocosm; the number of outer initiations; the words given as mantras; and the initiation vows or the prerequisites that must be agreed to before being accepted as an initiate. SEVEN TEACHINGS OF SANT MAT *1) God is Real. *2) God is Love, the Ocean of Love and Compassion. *3) All of the world scriptures teach about the same manifestation of God as inner mystical Light and Sound. *4) Our true identity is soul, the Self. Soul is part of God and therefore is, like God, pure love. *5) During this human existence we have an opportunity to experience God. *6) As we experience communing with God's love during meditation -- Surat Shabd Yoga, we can rise above bodyconsciousness and explore Inner Space, the "Kingdom of the Heavens" that are within us. "We travel back from the realm of Darkness to the realm of Light, from the Light to divine Sound, and from the realm of Sound to the Soundless State [Anami,
Radhaswami, Anadi, Ram]." (Swami Sant Sevi Ji Maharaj) The drop merges back into the Ocean of Love. *7) As we get initiated into the Mysteries of the Spirit by a Living Teacher (Master, Sant Satguru), the purpose of our life is fulfilled. Reuniting with God is our reason to be here: "It was for the sake of the God-conscious beings that our True Lord created this earth, and began this play of death and birth". (Adi Granth) Kabir says: "For millions of years you have slept. This morning, will you not wake?". The meditation practice of the Sant Tradition is called Surat Shabd Yoga, meaning: "Union (Yoga) of the Soul (Surat) with the Inner Light and Sound of God (Shabd)."The goal of this form of meditation is oneness with God. See below, for a longer, more detailed introduction to Sant Mat, the Path of Love (Bhakti), and Inner Light & Sound Mysticism. Surat Shabd Yoga Surat Shabd Yoga or Surat Shabda Yoga is a form of spiritual practice that is followed in the Sant Mat and many other related spiritual traditions. As a Sanskrit term, surat means "soul," shabd means "word" and yoga means "union." The term "word" means the “Sound Current,” the “Audible Life Stream” or the “Essence of the Absolute Supreme Being,” that is, the dynamic force of creative energy that was sent out, as sound vibration, from the Supreme Being into the abyss of space at the dawn of the universe's manifestation, and that is being sent forth, through the ages, framing all things that constitute and inhabit the universe.[1]. The etymology of "Surat Shabda Yoga" presents its purpose: the "Union of the Soul with the Essence of the Absolute Supreme Being." Other expressions for Surat Shabda Yoga include Sehaj Yoga (an easy path leading to
Sehaj or equipoise) The Path of Light and Sound, The Path of the Sants, The Journey of Soul, and The Yoga of the Sound Current. Contents • • • •
1 Basic principles 2 Movements and masters • 2.1 Variations in movements 3 Notes and references 4 External links
Basic principles Sehaj word states as Guru of love, Guru of Trust, Guru of War, Guru of Time, Guru of Power. The stated purpose of Surat Shabda Yoga is to (realize the individual's True Self (Self-Realization), True Essence (Spirit-Realization) and True Divinity (God-Realization) while living in the human physical body. This Journey of Soul involves reuniting in stages with what is called the Essence of the Absolute Supreme Being, the Shabd. Attaining self-realization and above also results in jivan moksha/mukti, liberation/ release from samsara, the cycle of karma and reincarnation while in the physical body. Initiation by an Outer Living Satguru (Sat - true, Guru - teacher) is required, and involves reactivating the Shabd and stationing the Inner Shabda Master (the Radiant Form of the Master) at the third eye (tisra til) chakra. The spiritual exercises (sadhanas) include simran (repetition, particularly silent repetition of a mantra given at initiation), dhyan (concentration, viewing, or contemplation, particularly on the Inner Master), and bhajan (listening to the inner sounds of the Shabda or the Shabda Master). Surat Shabd Yoga cosmology depicts the whole of
creation (the macrocosm) as being emanated and arranged in a spiritually differentiated hierarchy, often referred to as eggs, regions, or planes. Typically, eight spiritual levels are described above the physical plane, although names and subdivisions within these levels will vary to some extent by movement and Master. In this arrangement, Self-Realization is attained in the third heaven level, Daswan Dwar, Spirit-Realization is attained in the fourth heaven level, Bhanwar Gupha, and GodRealization is attained in the fifth heaven level, Sach Kand (Sat Lok). (One version of the creation from a Surat Shabda Yoga perspective is depicted at the Sant Ajaib Singh Ji Memorial Site [2]). All planes below the purely spiritual regions are subject to cycles of creation and dissolution (pralya) or great dissolution (maha pralya). This cosmology presents the constitution of the initiate (the microcosm) as an exact replica of the macrocosm. Consequently, the microcosm consists of a number of bodies, each one suited to interact with its corresponding plane or region in the macrocosm. These bodies developed over the yugas through involution (emanating from higher planes to lower planes) and evolution (returning from lower planes to higher planes), including by karma and reincarnation in various states of consciousness. The Path of Light and Sound involves the initiate traveling the microcosm dharmicly in consciousness (soul) with the guidance and protection of the Outer Living Master in the physical world and the Inner Shabd Master in the higher worlds until the regions of pure spirituality are reached and God-Realization is attained.
Movements and masters Main articles: Sant Mat, Contemporary Sant Mat movement, and Radha Soami
Adherents believe Surat Shabda Yoga has been expressed through the movements of many different masters. However, because a basic principle of Surat Shabd Yoga's tradition is the requirement for an outer Living Master to initiate followers onto the Path, those movements whose historical Satgurus have died and their successors do not purport themselves to be Surat Shabd Yoga Satgurus, usually are not considered currently to be Surat Shabd Yoga movements, either by their own leaders or by movements with current Living Masters. The Radhasoami movement of Surat Shabda Yoga was established by Shiv Dayal Singh (1818-1878) in 1861 and named "Radhasoami Satsang" circa 1866. Soamiji Maharaj, as he was known, presided over the satsang meetings for seventeen years at Panni Gali and Soami Bagh in Agra, India, until he died on June 15, 1878. [3] Accounts of his guru and successors vary, although he did give verbal instructions on his last day as to how his followers should be cared for. [4] According to Radha Soami Satsang Beas, his guru was Tulsi Sahib of Hathras. According to Soami Bagh and Dayal Bagh successors, Tulsi Sahib [5] was a contemporary guru of the same teachings, but being a natural born Satguru, Shiv Dayal Singh himself had no guru. After his death, six immediate successors carried on Shiv Dayal Singh’s teachings, including Huzur Maharaj Rai Salig Ram of Peepal Mandi, Agra, and Babaji Maharaj Jaimal Singh of Dera Baba Jaimal Singh the present day headquarters of (RSSB), Radha Soami Satsang Beas. A chart of the offshoot successor lineages helps show the connections among many of the contemporary Sant Mat guru lines and branches. [6] More information on living masters related to Shiv Dayal Singh's lineage can be found in the Contemporary Sant Mat movement article. Sant Kirpal Singh, a contemporary Sant Mat guru, stated that "Naam" ("Word") has been described in many
traditions through the use of several different terms. In his teachings [7], the following expressions are interpreted as being identical to "Naam": • • • • • • • •
"Naad", "Akash Bani", and "Sruti" in the Vedas "Nada" and "Udgit" in the Upanishads "Logos" and "Word" in the New Testament "Tao" by Lao Zi "Music of the Spheres" by Pythagoras "Sraosha" by Zoraster "Kalma" and "Kalam-i-Qadim" in the Qur'an "Naam", "Akhand Kirtan" and "Sacha ('True') Shabd" by Guru Granth Sahib The more recently promulgated Quan Yin Method of meditation espoused via the spiritual teachings of Supreme Master Ching Hai has notable similarities to Surat Shabd Yoga. Science of Spirituality is another spiritual movement based on Surat Shabd Yoga. It is currently headed up by Sant Rajinder Singh. Eckankar, an American movement, has many links to Surat Shabd Yoga, including terminology, although its American founder Paul Twitchell disassociated himself from his former teacher Kirpal Singh. MasterPath is another contemporary American movement of Surat Shabda Yogat. The founder and self-proclaimed Living Master, Gary Olsen, contends that several historical figures are Sat Gurus of Surat Shabda Yoga as representatives for the eternal Inner Shabda Master. A few of these Living Masters of their times include Lao Tsu, Jesus, Pythagoras, Socrates, Kabir, the Sufi Masters and mystic poets Hafez and Rumi, the Ten Sikh Gurus beginning with Guru Nanak, Tulsi Sahib, and the Radhasoami/Radha Soami and offshoot Masters, including Shiv Dayal Singh, Baba Sawan Singh and Sant Kirpal Singh.
Variations in movements Although all movements of Surat Shabda Yoga will have common elements related to the basic principles, notable variations also exist. For example, before he died, the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, nominated the Guru Granth Sahib as the next and perpetual Guru of the Sikhs. Other movements continue to require a Living Master to initiate students into the Shabda. Movements also will vary in the names used to describe the Absolute Supreme Being (God), including Anami Purush (nameless power) and Radha Soami (lord of the soul); the presiding deities and divisions of the macrocosm; the number of outer initiations; the words given as mantras; and the initiation vows or the prerequisites that must be agreed to before being accepted as an initiate.
Notes and references 1. ^ Singh, K., Naam or Word. Blaine, WA: Ruhani Satsang Books. ISBN 0-942735-94-3, 1999; BOOK TWO: SHABD, The Sound Principle. 2. ^ Sant Ajaib Singh Ji Memorial Site, 1995; “The Grand Scheme of All Creation”. 3. ^ Soamiji Maharaj gallery 4. ^ Singh, S. S., & Johnson, J. P. (Translators). (1934). Sar Bachan: An abstract of the teachings of Soami Ji Maharaj, the founder of the Radha Soami system of philosophy and spiritual science: The yoga of the Sound Current. (9th ed.) Beas, India: Radha Soami Satsang Beas. 5. ^ Tulsi Sahib and His Teachings 6. ^ Sant Mat - Surat Shabd Yoga: Contemporary Guru Lines & Branches 7. ^ Singh, K. (1999). Naam or Word. Blaine, WA: Ruhani Satsang Books. ISBN 0-942735-94-3
The Yoga of Sound Listening to the Music of the Universe Parts One and Two By James Bean copywrite September 1997 ! Reference: posted by: agochar; first section posted on 7/18/00 to Kirpal Singh Satsang Club; Messages number 542, 555, 556, 563, 564, 586, 587, 588, 619 (This is a new series of posts based on an article I wrote on Sound in the various world religions.) PART ONE Introduction No doubt, many of you saw the movie Contact, based upon the book with that same title authored by the late Dr. Carl Sagan. The story was about SETI -the search of extraterrestrial intelligence. In this film, scientists intercepted radio signal emanating from another part of the galaxy. These broadcasts were being beamed directly at the earth by an alien civilization trying to get our attention. After many years they finally succeeded. Their message was eventually deciphered; it contained schematics for constructing a transportation device which would allow humans to travel to the distant world where the signals were coming from. After viewing this philosophical film, I couldn't help comparing the parallels between this SETI scenario and one of the world's oldest forms of yogameditation: Shabda Yoga, the Yoga of the Sound Current. Shabda is an ancient Sanskrit word for divine or cosmic sound, heavenly music. For thousands of years, human beings around the world have been tuning into a sound which comes from beyond the stars. For the practitioners of the Yoga of Sound, this
heavenly music is also a means of transportation. By becoming one with the holy stream of sound, souls during their meditation practice find themselves ascending in spirit toward the place where the sound emanates. This sound connects all souls of the universe to the timeless world of the Great Spirit. Parts Two Three, Four, etc. will be a study of the Path of Sound in the various world religions including: Islam, the Australian Aborigines, Native American, Buddhist, Gnostic, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, and Sikh traditions. ~ James
The Yoga of Sound Listening to the Music of the Universe By James Bean PART TWO THE PATH OF SOUND IN THE WORLD RELIGIONS Being an initiate of the Shabda Yoga/Sant Mat tradition and very much interested in comparative mysticism & religion, I would like to share with you some quotes from around the world on clairaudience, the ability to hear the mystic-Sound, the Song of the Creator, the Voice of the Great Life that brought all the universes into existence. SACRED MUSIC AS AN ATTEMPT TO IMITATE THE MYSTIC-SOUND The Sound of God's Voice said, "Let there be......" "In the Beginning was.......the Word." Indigenous cultures support the belief that the universe was brought into existence through sound. The Australian aborigines believe in "songlines," meaning the "way of the law," which sang the world, and everything in it, into existence. Native American traditions speak of the "Song of the Creator" that created life and sustains the universe.
"The Book of the Hopi" (published by Viking Books), the first revelation of the Hopi's historical and religious world-view of life, contains a beautiful story of creation. In this genesis account, the song of creation is the essential Force that brings to life the first humans, "Adam and Eve," if you will, and the Earth itself is described as a musical instrument. "All the vibratory centers along the Earth's axis from pole to pole resounded His Call; the Earth trembled; the universe quivered in tune. Thus He made the whole world an instrument of sound, and an instrument for carrying messages, resounding praise to the Creator of all." In this account, it says that it is our duty, our sacred purpose as human beings to echo this song of creation back to the Creator again by "making a joyful sound throughout the land." Chant and sacred music of the world religions can also cause souls to yearn to hear the Harmony of All Harmonies, to develop a desire to meditate upon the inner Sound of the Creator that fills the heavens. According to the Masters of Sant Mat and those who practice this form of meditation, this Current of Sound, Light, and Love will take us back to God again, will take us Home, if we become one with it. More later on this Yoga of the Word. Sacred music is IMITATING, MIMICKING higher spiritual sounds, bringing some aspect of the Music of Heaven to the physical world. Tibetan bells and bowls do this very effectively. The inventor of the Sitar, the most well-known instrument of Indian classical music, said that it was his attempt to "capture the music of the Spirit in terms of the physical world." ("The Pilgrimage of James," George Arnsby Jones, Peacehaven Press) He considered his attempt "a failure." As beautiful as the sitar is, the Real Sound is far more glorious than any sound or outer music of this world. Harmonic overtone chanting (the singing of two or more notes at the same
time!) is a vocal technique used in Mongolia, Tuva, Laos, and other Asian countries. The human voice is transformed into a sonic rainbow of tones and overtones making the human voice resemble the Music of the Spheres. A few years back I learned how to do this and it's a wonderful practice, a great exercise for the human voice. In India, many have verbalized the Sound of the universe as "AAAAAUUUUUMMMMM," the OM chant. In Tibet, Buddhist monks created an otherworldly form of chant -- their attempt to reproduce audibly some of the inner sounds they heard during their meditations. The various Christian, Sethian (Jewish), Hermetic, and other Gnostic schools of Egypt also devised forms of chant that they perceived as verbally mimicking/expressing the Real Name of God that otherwise is hidden in the silence of the soul. They chanted various combinations of vowels: "I praise You. I call your Name that is hidden within me: A O EE O EE OOOOOOOIIIIIOOOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO." (The Gospel of the Egyptians in: "The Nag Hammadi Library In English," James M. Robinson, Harper Collins) The Gnostic Gospels are filled with many examples of chant and Names of God that were used by Egyptian mystics during meditation practice to explore the Kingdom of the Heavens within, what my teacher called "the Wonders of Inner Space." These ancient texts provide many examples of souls ascending in spirit through various heavenly realms on their way back to "The Eighth," where the Nameless One, the Ocean of Love and Compassion resides. Whether it's drumming, Russian Orthodox or Coptic chant, or Gregorian plainchant, an Indian classical raga or bagpipes, for millennia humans have been echoing various aspects of the Song of Creation. "For in the beginning of the times so did we all share in the Holy Stream of Sound that gave birth to all creation." (Essene Gospel of Peace, Volume Four) ________ For much of recorded history human beings have reported hearing sound coming from beyond the silence. In the next installment I'll focus upon inner
mystic-sound in Buddhist, Bahai, and Christians scriptures. "Who else is Christ but the Sound of God?" (Acts of John, Gnostic) THE YOGA OF SOUND copywrite September 1997 The Yoga of Sound Listening to the Music of the Universe Parts Three and Four By James Bean copywrite September 1997 ! PART THREE THE PATH OF SOUND IN THE WORLD RELIGIONS Across the many centuries and around the world, mystics, in the scriptures they left behind, recorded some of their experiences with inner Sound, the heavenly Music that comes from beyond the silence. Encountering the Sound Current might be as subtle as hearing a faint tone or hum in meditation, or as blissful as becoming one with a cosmic symphony on a higher plane of existence -- an experience beyond what earthly language is capable of truly conveying. THE SOUND CURRENT IN BUDDHIST MYSTICISM The ancient Buddhist scripture known as the Surangama Sutra speaks of the way to enlightenment through meditation upon the inner Sound. "Avalokiteshvara Buddha, the hearer and answerer of prayer, has visited all the Buddha-lands of the ten quarters of the universe and has acquired transcendental powers of boundless freedom and fearlessness and has vowed to emancipate all sentient beings from their bondage and suffering. How sweetly mysterious is the Transcendental Sound of Avalokiteshvara! Is is the subdued murmur of the seatide setting inward. Its mysterious Sound brings liberation
and peace to all sentient beings who in their distress are calling for aid." This beautiful sutra contains discourses teaching those who practice meditation to turn their attention inward and listen for spiritual Sound. "All the brothers in this great assembly should reverse your outward perception of hearing and listen inwardly for the perfectly unified and intrinsic Sound of your own mindEssence." ("A Buddhist Bible," Dwight Goddard, Beacon Press) INNER SPIRITUAL HEARING AND SEEING IN BAHAI [AND SUFI] TEACHINGS The following quote, which teaches us about acquiring 'spiritual eyes' is taken from The Revelation of Bahá'u'lláh, Vol. 2, p. 31 by Adib Taherzadeh: "Bahá'u'lláh teaches [quoting from] the Mathnavi [written by Rumi, the Sufi poet] that: 'man will not be able to receive the Light of God in this day unless he acquires a new Eye. Eyes which are fixed on the things of this world can never see the glory of His Revelation, and ears which are tuned to the voices of the ungodly cannot hear the Melodies of the Kingdom.' By 'new eyes' and 'new ears' He means spiritual eyes and spiritual ears. He states that since the Eye of the Spirit receives its Light from God it is shameful to let it turn to a stranger, and re-affirms that the purpose of God in creating the inner Eye was that man might behold the beauty of His Manifestation in this world. In 'The Hidden Words', Persian #11, Bahá'u'lláh reveals: O Son Of Dust! Blind thine eyes, that thou mayest behold My beauty; stop thine ears, that thou mayest hearken unto the sweet Melody of My Voice; empty thyself of all learning, that thou mayest partake of My knowledge; and sanctify thyself from riches, that thou mayest obtain a lasting share from the ocean of My eternal wealth. Blind thine eyes, that is, to all save My beauty; stop thine ears to all save My Word; empty thyself of all learning save the knowledge of Me; that with a clear vision, a pure heart and an attentive Ear thou mayest enter the court of My holiness." THE SOUND CURRENT -- THE AUDIBLE LIFE STREAM IN
CHRISTIANITY Experiences with the Sound Current -- people hearing heavenly Music -- are also recorded in the Bible and other spiritual writings of the West. In the Book of Revelation we find this: "And I heard a Sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters, and like a peal of thunder. After that, the Sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps." (from Revelation, 14) Hildegard of Bingen, the German Mystic, wrote: "To the Trinity be praise! God is Music, God is Life that nurtures every creature in its kind." She also said: The soul is kissed by God in its innermost regions. With interior yearning, grace and blessing are bestowed. It is a yearning to take on God's gentle yoke, It is a yearning to give one's self to God's way. The marvels of God are not brought forth from one's self. Rather, it is more like a Chord, a Sound that is played. The tone does not come out of the chord itself, but rather, through the touch of the Musician. I am, of course, the lyre and harp of God's kindness! The English Mystic Richard Rolle reflects in "The Fire of Love:" "When Christ wishes it ..... he receives within himself the Song sent into him from the heavens, and his meditation is changed into Melody, and his spirit lingers in marvelous Harmony." The great Masters teach that the Sound of God is within everyone -- this Holy Stream of Sound is within every living thing. This is why those given to exploring inner space through meditation, be they from the East or the West, have discovered this Reality playing within themselves.
PART FOUR The Nag Hammadi Library that was discovered in Egypt, Sufi literature, the scriptures of India.
HEARING THE MUSIC OF THE SPHERES IN SUFI MYSTICISM "The Mysticism of Sound" by Hazrat Inayat Khan is an amazing book presenting the Sufi teachings on inner Sound and the HU Chant (HU is an Arabic word pronounced: "whoooooooooo"). I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the Sound Current teachings of Sufi mysticism. Hazrat Khan on hearing the Mystic-Sound: Abstract Sound is called Saut-e Sarmad by the Sufis; all space is filled with it. The vibrations of this Sound are too fine to be either audible or visible to the material eyes or ears, since it is even difficult for the eyes to see the form and color of the ethereal vibrations on the external plane. It was the Saut-e Sarmad, the Sound of the abstract plane, which Muhammad heard in the cave of Ghar-e Hira when he became lost in his divine Ideal. The Qur'an refers to this Sound in the words, 'Be! and all became.' Moses heard this very Sound on Mount Sinai, when in communion with God; and the same Word was audible to Christ when absorbed in his Heavenly Father in the wilderness. Shiva heard the same Anhad Nada during his Samadhi [deep meditation] in the cave of the Himalayas. The flute of Krishna is symbolic of the same Sound. This Sound is the source of all revelation to the Masters, to whom it is revealed from within; it is because of this that they know and teach one and the same truth. (The Sufi Message Series, II) HEARING THE SOUND CURRENT IN THE ANCIENT GNOSTIC RELIGION Before the Sufi mystics of the west, in ancient times there were Gnostics: Jewish, Hermetic, and Christian mystics who also described hearing the Sound, and seeing the Light of God while in deep states of meditation. The following is from "The Gnostic Mystery" by Andrea Grace Diem. She quotes from the Nag Hammadi Library, several ancient new testament-like collections of holy books written in the Coptic language of Egypt: Man's soul shall become, when it leaveth the body, a great flood of Light, so as to traverse all the regions until it cometh into the Kingdom of Mystery.
[I] turned to myself [and] saw Light that [surrounded] me and the Good that was in me; I became divine. (Allogenes) In Trimorphic Protennoia the gnostic writer (in the voice of God) describes how this transformation takes place: I cast [voiced] Speech [or Sound] into the ears of those who know me. And I am inviting you into the exalted, perfect Light. Moreover (as for) this (Light), when you enter it you will be glorified ... you will become gloriously glorious, the way you first were when you were Light. And I hid myself in everyone and revealed [myself] within them, and every mind seeking me longed for me, for it is I who gave shape to the All when it had no form. And I transformed their forms into (other) forms until the time when a form will be given to the All. It is through me that the Voice originated ... And it is a Word, by virtue of a Sound; it was sent to illumine those who dwell in darkness...[I] am a Light that illuminates the All. I am the Light that rejoices [in my] brethren, for I came down to the world [of] mortals... When describing the philosophical nature of the cosmos, Gnostic writers emphasize this Sound Current, variously referred to as Word, Voice, Logos, Speech, or simply Sound. Also, throughout Gnostic texts reference is made to the manifestation of a mystical Light, known as Treasury of Light, Immeasurable Light, etc. In the Trimorphic Protennoia it is described in the following way: I am [the Word] who dwells [in the] ineffable [Silence]. I dwell in undefiled [Light] and a Thought [revealed itself] perceptibly through [the great] Sound ... And it [the Sound] exists from the beginning in the foundations of the All. But there is a Light [that] swells hidden in Silence and it was the first to [come] forth...I alone am the Word, ineffable, incorruptible, immeasurable, inconceivable. It (the Word?) is a hidden Light ... being unreproducible, an immeasurable Light, the source of All...It is foundation that supports every movement of the Aeons that belong to the mighty glory. It is the founding of every foundation. It is the breath of the powers. It is the eye of the three permanence's, which exist as a Voice by virtue of a Thought. And it is a Word by virtue of the Sound ... I (the Word) became a foundation for the All........ (Trimorphic Protennoina in, "The Nag Hammadi Library In English," James
M. Robinson, Harper Collins) THE NADA AND SHABDA YOGA SYSTEMS OF INDIA Hinduism is very much a religion of divine Light and Sound; many Indian scriptures and spiritual traditions teach about the universe being created through the Sound of AUM, the ecstasy of hearing the cosmic flute of Krishna, or hearing the Unstruck Melody (Anhad Shabad) of God that reverberates throughout the universe. Yogis of Nada Yoga and Masters of Shabda Yoga Meditation impart to their students knowledge about developing their inner spiritual sense of transcendental hearing. NADA YOGA, HEARING THE ETERNAL SOUND A good example of Nada Yoga practice is found in, "The Shambhala Guide To Yoga," George Feuerstein, Shambala Books: "First, the practitioner should block his or her ears with the fingers and focus inwardly, listening for the arising of the inner Sound. To begin with, a variety of sounds may be heard -the practitioner may hears sounds like: the sound of the ocean, a rain cloud, a drum, a kettledrum, a conch, a bell [ringing sound], a horn, a flute, a lute, or a bee [humming sound]." The "Nada Bindu Upanishad," an ancient Hindu scripture on Sound Meditation (Nada Yoga), mentions the possibility of hearing a sound that resembles the Vina, an instrument used in Indian classical music. According to this tradition, these sounds are always resounding in the soul, thus when one attains a certain level of stillness and concentration, spiritual Sound becomes audible. In truth, the inner Sound is always there, it is we (our attention) who come and go. We gain awareness of the Sound, creating the illusion that the Sound has "arrived." When we get distracted or leave off our meditation practice, it seems to us that the Sound has "stopped." However, this otherworldly Sound continues, like radio waves flowing through the atmosphere, available to be "tuned in" anytime we want to listen. PART FOUR/// "The vibrations of this Sound are too fine to be either audible or visible to the material eyes or ears...... " (Hazrat Khan)
Yet, as Masters and mystics often point out, there is another kind of hearing and another kind of seeing. The eyes and ears of the soul -- the spiritual senses -- can be developed. There is Light coming from beyond the darkness, and there is Music coming from beyond the silence, for those who have ears to hear: those who desire to meditate and discover the wonders of inner space for themselves. Part Five will focus upon the Shabda Yoga tradition of India: Meditation upon the Inner Light and Sound (Shabad, Saut-e Sarmad) of God. ~ James The Yoga of Sound Listening to the Music of the Universe Part Five By James Bean copywrite September 1997 ! THE SHABDA YOGA TRADITION OF INDIA - THE PATH OF THE MASTERS The ancient Schools of Spirituality, including: Sant Mat, Kabbalah, Mandaean Gnosis, Sufism, and others, see themselves as preserving a Perennial Philosophy of the Ages. Some see a line of Masters and Mystics, the keepers of spiritual Knowledge, as existing throughout all of recorded history. Some of these great souls include: Seth, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, the Teacher of Righteousness, John the Baptist, Yeshua, Valentinus, Saint Isaac the Syrian, Mohammad, Rabia of Basra, Rumi, Hafiz, Namdev, Kabir, Guru Nanak, Tukarama, Mirabai, Dadu, Dariya Sahib, Tulsi Sahib, Swami Ji Maharaj, and others right up to the present time. The Sant Mat tradition, also known as the Path of the Masters, very much sees
itself as a modern-day continuation of the Teachings of the Saints of old, very much a Living Perennial Philosophy with living Saints. The author Julian Johnson in, "With a Great Master in India," says: "The Teaching of the Saints [which is what the term 'Sant Mat' means] has been one and the same system since the first Saint ever set foot upon this planet......It is a science based upon natural law and personal experience. The Creator Himself is its author and founder." Living Masters teach their (living) students how to SEE and how to HEAR spiritually, which, to me, makes a great deal of sense. Seeing is believing; hearing is vitally important as well. Without being able to see and hear, inner mystical exploration can't get very far. One analogy might be the worldwide web. How much surfing of the web can we do if our monitor isn't on? Speakers and a sound card are nice to have as well. According to the Masters of Sant Mat the 'electricity' of the Godhead that flows through all creation, and that's present within every living thing, is called 'the Shabd.' Shabd or Shabda is a term for the Inner Light and Sound of God, sometimes referred to as 'the Audible Life Stream.' This Current can be seen as well as heard. This is the Sound of God if we did but know it, and is the Light of Eternity if we could only recognize it within ourselves. Surat Shabda Yoga, the spiritual practice of Sant Mat, literally means: "the attention-faculty of the soul (Surat) becoming one (yoked, yoga, or in union) with the Inner Light and Sound Current (Shabda) of God." The inner Light-Sound Stream can be encountered during the silence of contemplative meditation when we directly open ourselves up to It. Here's a list of other mystic-terms for this same imminent Power of the Godhead used in various world religions and languages: the Sound Current, Holy Stream of Light, Ein Sof, Vadan, Holy Stream of Sound, Holy Spirit, Word, Logos, Christ (as in, "In the beginning was the Word..." Gospel of John, and, "Who else is Christ but the Sound of God." Acts of John), Saunt-e Sarmad, Tao, Music of the Spheres, Nada, Ik Ong Kaar, Hoooooooo, Ism-i-Azam, the Voice of the Silence, the Lost Chord, Davar, Memra, Anhad Shabd, Song of the Creator, Naam, Bani, Kalam-i-llahi, Shechinah, Kalma, Dhun, Sultan-ul--Azkar. In some circles of Eastern Orthodox Christian mysticism it's been taught for
centuries that by contemplating the Divine Light of the Holy Trinity one partakes of the Divine Nature of God and enters into the various stages of Gnosis, Theosis, and Divinization. These are Greek terms which essentially mean: 'becoming God.' Souls know God in their experience by contemplating (Theoria Theologica) His Light. The Masters of Sant Mat/Shabda Yoga also teach meditation upon the Holy Stream of Light. In addition, they practice 'Theosis' of the inner Sound as well. In fact, they teach that inner Sound is more effective than Light in elevating the soul back up to its True Home again. In Sant Mat, listening to the inner Heavenly Music is considered the most effective way to charm the 'serpent mind' and rise above body-consciousness during meditation, allowing us to realize or experience for ourselves the 'Pearl of Great Price.' (See the "Hymn of the Pearl" in the Acts of St. Thomas, a Gnostic book.) The soul experientially ascends during meditation, and leaving duality behind, realizes its true Oneness with God again. Julian Johnson in, "With a Great Master in India:" "Sant Mat is the science of connecting the individual soul with its Creator." One Mystic said of Shabda Yoga Meditation: "....Consciousness can be released from the mortal frame by attaching itself to the Stream of Celestial Music radiating from the top of the head and beyond. To do this..., one first must be initiated by a genuine mystic who has gained access to the higher realms.....Keeping the back erect and the mind alert, one continuously repeats God's name as given by his/her guru. This simran [mental repetition of a Name of God], as Mataji termed it, should be done with one's attention centered behind closed eyes. Coupled with this physical stillness and ceaseless repetition of God's Name [step one in meditation], the next step is to contemplate the Light within. At first, Mataji pointed out, there will be only darkness but eventually Light will appear in the form of either small flashes or small star-like points. In any case, one should focus on the radiance, keeping one's simran [repeating God's Name or Names in meditation] intact and allowing the Light to draw the soul inward. The third and most important step, Mataji said, is to listen to the Sound that issues forth from the Light. It is this Internal Music which will numb the body and allow the consciousness to leave
its ordinary dwelling. By riding this Current of Light and Sound, like a fish going upstream, the soul will be able to go back to its original Home. On the journey within, however, the soul must be guided by a True Master so as not to be detained in any of the lower illusory regions. According to Mataji, what near-death patients experience is only the beginning of a vast sojourn into great universes of Light, Love and Beauty." ("Enchanted Land," MSAC Philosophy Group) With Sant Mat there is no need to move into a monastery or convert to a different religion, having to learn new complicated or difficult outer rites and rituals. The Masters are, more than ever before, making available to us westerners the advanced levels of meditation practice. What once were 'secret doctrines' hidden in desert ashrams or on monastic mountaintops for the few, may very well be available (for those who notice) on bookstore shelves around the corner, or experienced at the local Satsang Center across town. This ancient science of spirituality in recent decades has become widely available to people in Africa, Australia, Europe, North and South America, now has followers in many countries worldwide. The author Peter Fripp in, "The Mystic Philosophy of Sant Mat," RS Books, describes listening to the inner Sound during meditation practice: "The Music of the Shabd is distant and unsteady when first heard, but as it deepens, it lifts the listeners into a hitherto unknown peace....The Sound of the Shabd is like a constant theme with variations on all levels [planes or heavens]. These variations are described as the rushing of a mighty wind, the sound of a lute, the deep resonance of a bell or conch, or the tinkling of glass in the wind. There are also wonderful lights and radiance to accompany the sounds....The sounds and lights progress in a definite order, corresponding to each stage of the journey inwards, and they clearly indicate the disciple's progress." Some have described this form of meditation as "a conscious near-death experience," that is to say, the Holy Stream of Sound can transport souls to higher states of being that may for some resemble NDE's. This is not a 'do-ityourself spirituality' in the sense that one needs the guidance of a competent Master in order to practice the meditation correctly in a healthy and balanced
way. One should never attempt to climb the Himalayas without a Sherpa guide; in the same way one should not attempt meditation to this degree without the sound wisdom and spiritual direction of a living Guide. (To better evaluate masters, paths, and lines of masters/spiritual communities, see "Godman" by Kirpal Singh, SK Publications) In the Shabda Yoga tradition of India the methods of practice are communicated at the time of initiation by the Master. A Living Teacher, being fully acquainted with the 'landscape' of inner space, is able to impart to initiates valuable guidance on how to safely make the journey of ascension to the spiritual worlds during meditation practice inside. The details of Shabda Yoga practice are not found in books and aren't for sale, but are given to seekers by the Master at the time of initiation. And I should mention, there's no money involved in this process, no cosmic inflation to worry about; no dues or membership in some kind of 'organization' are required in order to 'qualify' for initiation into Shabda Yoga! Money can't buy It. It can't be sold. Enlightenment/Salvation (Jiva Mukti)/Spirituality, like air and sunlight, remains free and available to all according to Sant Mat. THE HEAVENS ARE AVAILABLE NOW THROUGH MEDITATION Sant Rajinder Singh in, "Empowering Your Soul Through Meditation," Element Books: "Regions of Light that embrace souls with a powerful love await each one of us within. Sights and sounds beyond anything we could ever imagine reside within us. Incredible music far beyond any that can be produced by worldly instruments is reverberating at every moment. Realms in which love resounds exist within at this very moment. Colors we could never imagine and sounds so melodious they enchant the soul characterize the inner realms. Places of bliss and joy from which all our worldly cares are forgotten call to us from within." Peace, Oneness, ~ James
"Who else is Christ but the Sound of God." (Gnostic Acts of
John) "In the beginning was the Word" (Logos--AUM--Tao-Shabda--Nada--Sound Current--Song of the Creator--Holy Stream of Sound--Audible Life Stream--Music of the Spheres-Akash Bani--Bang-I-Asmani--Anhad Shabad--Naam-Vadan--Saut-e Sarmad--Kalma or Kalam-iIlahi--Sarosha--Harmony of All Harmonies--The Voice of God that vibrated: "Let there BE, and all all became"]).
Excerpt from the Ancient Nada-Bindu Upanishad on Inner Sound Meditation 31. The Yogin being in the Siddhasana (posture) and practising the Vaishnavi-Mudra, should always hear the internal sound through the right ear. 32. The sound which he thus practises makes him deaf to all external sounds. Having overcome all obstacles, he enters the Turya state within fifteen days. 33. In the beginning of his practice, he hears many loud sounds. They gradually increase in pitch and are heard more and more subtly. 34. At first, the sounds are like those proceeding from the ocean, clouds, kettle-drum and cataracts; in the middle (stage) those proceeding from Mardala (a musical instrument), bell and horn. 35. At the last stage, those proceeding from tinkling bells, flute, Vina (a musical instrument) and bees. Thus he hears many such sounds more and more subtle. 36. When he comes to that stage when the sound of the great kettle-drum is being heard, he should try to distinguish only
sounds more and more subtle. 37. He may change his concentration from the gross sound to the subtle, or from the subtle to the gross, but he should not allow his mind to be diverted from them towards others. 38. The mind having at first concentrated itself on any one sound fixes firmly to that and is absorbed in it. 39. It (the mind) becoming insensible to the external impressions, becomes one with the sound as milk with water and then becomes rapidly absorbed in Chidakasa (the Akasa where Chit prevails). 40. Being indifferent towards all objects, the Yogin having controlled his passions, should by continual practice concentrate his attention upon the sound which destroys the mind. 41. Having abandoned all thoughts and being freed from all actions, he should always concentrate his attention on the sound and (then) his Chitta becomes absorbed in it. 42-43(a). Just as the bee drinking the honey (alone) does not care for the odour, so the Chitta which is always absorbed in sound, does not long for sensual objects, as it is bound by the sweet smell of Nada and has abandoned its flitting nature. 43(b)-44(a). The serpent Chitta through listening to the Nada is entirely absorbed in it and becoming unconscious of everything concentrates itself on the sound. 44(b)-45(a). The sound serves the purpose of a sharp goad to control the maddened elephant – Chitta which roves in the pleasure-garden of the sensual objects.
45(b)-46(a). It serves the purpose of a snare for binding the deer – Chitta. It also serves the purpose of a shore to the ocean waves of Chitta. 46(b)-47(a). The sound proceeding from Pranava which is Brahman is of the nature of effulgence; the mind becomes absorbed in it; that is the supreme seat of Vishnu. 47(b)-48(a). The sound exists till there is the Akasic conception (Akasa-Sankalpa). Beyond this, is the (Asabda) Soundless ParaBrahman which is Paramatman. 48(b). The mind exists so long as there is sound, but with its (sound's cessation) there is the state called Unmani of Manas (viz., the state of being above the mind). 49(a). This sound is absorbed in the Akshara (Indestructible) and the Soundless State is the Supreme Seat. http://www.geocities.com/advaitavedant/nadabindu.htm
THE AUDIBLE STREAM: THE SOURCE OF ALL BEING By Julian P. Johnson, in, Path of the Masters 1. THE CENTRAL FACT IN SANTON KI SHIKSHA THE Audible Life Stream is the cardinal, central fact in the Science of the Masters. It is the keystone of the arch. It is the cornerstone of the structure. It is the structure itself. And it is the Path of the Masters.
One might say that the Master and the Life Stream constitute the Path of the Masters. The great spiritual Current is not only the central fact in the Science of the Masters but it is the supreme fact and factor of the entire universe. It is the very essence and life of all things. It is perhaps less known than any other important fact of Nature, yet it is the one determining factor of all Nature. That is indeed a pity. This great truth or fact is significantly spoken of in the first chapter of the Gospel of John: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. All things were made by him and without him was not anything made that was made." Here it is definitely stated that something which is called "Word" is identical with God, the Creator. Although not at all understood by the Christian church, this statement is an important announcement of the stupendous fact of the Audible Life Stream.
It is often called the Sound Current. But that is not a good name for it because it is not sufficiently definitive. The Indian name is simple shabd, meaning sound. But that is not definitely clear. There are many sounds. Logos was the Greek term used by the Neoplatonic school, whose masters were familiar with portions of the Eastern Wisdom. Logos means the divine Word. It is this divine current, wave or stream going forth from God himself and flowing throughout the universe. It is not only an emanation from God but it is God himself. When any man speaks in this world, he simply sets in motion atmospheric vibrations. But when God speaks, he not only sets in motion etheric vibrations but he himself moves in and through those vibrations. In truth it is God himself that vibrates all through infinite space. God is not static, latent : He is superlatively dynamic. When he speaks, everything in existence vibrates, and that is the Sound, the Shabd;
and it can be heard by the inner ear, which has been trained to hear it. It is the divine energy in process of manifestation which is the holy Shabd. It is in fact the only way in which the Supreme One can be seen and heard-----this mighty, luminous and musical wave, creating and enchanting. Now, this great fact of Nature, so little known to either ancient or modern thought, is the vital substance of the Science of the Masters. It is cardinal and central in all their teachings. It is the one thing which distinguishes Santon ki Shiksha from all other sciences or systems. It is the very foundation of their system of yoga. It is the key to all of their success in unfolding their spiritual powers and controlling their minds. It is the one sign by which a real Master may be known and recognized from all others. No one is or can be a genuine Master unless he teaches and practices the Audible Life Stream; because it is impossible for any
one to become a spiritual Master of the highest order unless he consciously utilizes the Life Stream to gain his development.
2. NAMES OF THE SUPREME LOGOS It is commonly called Sound Current in India, among those who speak English. But the best translation which we have been able to discover is: Audible Life Stream. This appears to carry its deeper meaning and is more comprehensive and inclusive. It is, in fact, a stream, a life-giving, creative stream and it can be heard. The fact that it is audible is extremely important and that idea must be conveyed, if possible, in any name that is applied to it. This current or wave contains the sum of all teaching emanating from God. It is his own Word. It includes everything that God has ever said or done. It is God himself in expression. It is the method of God in making himself known.
It is his language. It is his Word. This Sound sometimes is called Name; in Sanskrit or Hindi, NAM. But in English, we are not accustomed to put so much meaning in the word 'name'. It is only correct if we understand that 'name' or Nam stands for all that the Supreme Being is. It is just another way of saying Word and Word is what God says. It is equally what he does. It is the whole of the divine being in action. To distinguish God in action from God as divine Essence, we call him Shabd or living Word. The name of anything or anybody is the sound symbol which stands for the reality itself. The name conveys to thought everything which belongs to the reality for which it stands. When the Master is said to give "NAM" it means that he gives the Current, the Reality for which Nam stands. He literally gives the Audible Life Stream itself. (Just how the Master can give it is discussed in Chap. XII : 4).
This divine NAM, or Sound, or Word, stands for all that God is or has ever said or done. It includes all of his qualities. As said before, it is the only way in which the universal Spirit can manifest itself to human consciousness. So when the Supreme Being manifests himself as Sat Nam in Sack Khand he there becomes fully personified, embodied, and brings into manifestation all of the qualities of deity. As Sat Nam he becomes personal Creator, Lord, God, and Father. There he becomes the Fountain out of which the Audible Life Stream proceeds. This stream may be perceived and heard by all who participate in it throughout all worlds. It may be seen and heard by such as attain an awakened consciousness under the training of a Master. When a man hears it, he hears God. When he feels it, he feels the power of God. This Shabd is, therefore, the Divine Being expressing himself in something that is both audible and visible. This current
must not be understood to be like a river running in one course. It is more like a radio wave flowing out in every direction from the grand central broadcasting station. In fact, it comes from the Supreme Creative center of the universe of universes. This wave has two aspects, a centrifugal flow and a centripetal flow. It moves outward from the central dynamo of all creation, and it flows back toward that dynamo. Moving upon that current, all power and all life appear to flow outward to the uttermost bounds of creation, and again upon it all life appears to be returning toward its source. It is the latter aspect of it with which we have to deal mostly. Upon that wave we have to depend for our return to our original home. When the Master makes the connection or as we say in radio, "tunes us in," it is then that we begin our homeward journey leaving all perishable worlds behind us.
This Word is called Nada (pronounced Nad) in the Vedas. In Vedanta, sound is always spoken of as creative. Sound or anything that sounds is the creative energy. It is referred to as the Nada Brahma meaning the primal word of Brahm. By this Nada Brahma all creation was brought into existence. The whole of the visible and invisible universe is the manifestation of this Primal Nada.
