Featured

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Why do we chant Om?

0 comments

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Dear Readers,

Radhekrishna!

In this post, we will look at the technique of chanting OM.

The technique for chanting OM is as given below:

Sit in a comfortable cross-legged seated posture with the spine upright, head, neck and spine in a vertical (if comfortable) alignment. Close the eyes and take a deep inhalation. While exhaling, start uttering the OM sound. Begin by feeling the vibration of the "O" sound building up in the navel area and traveling upward. As you continue the chant, feel the vibration moving upward toward the base of the throat. When the vibration reaches the throat area, convert the sound to a deep humming sound of "M". Continue to feel the vibration moving upward until it reaches the crown of the head (called Sahasrara Chakra). You may repeat this process two or more times. At the end of the final chant, continue to sit still and feel the vibration of the OM sound permeating the whole body – every single cell of the body.

Benefits of chanting OM

The continued recitation of OM (called Udgita Pranayama) fills one with peace, calmness, tranquility and serenity. When we recite it with the understanding that OM is nothing but a representation of Ishvara, it brings us closer to our true nature, our own pure self. As mentioned above, OM is the primordial sound and this entire creation is a manifestation of this mystic sound. It represents the cosmic prana (the vital energy) and the air we breathe. Meditating on these thoughts can bring us closer to other human beings and lift the veil of separateness.

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post, let us know about Peepal, also known as Ficus Religiosa.

· It’s a large tree with leaves that resemble betel leaves

· Bark of a young tree steeped in water overnight and the water drunk in the morning acts as a diuretic

· Berries dried in shade and powdered help in spermatorrhoea, nocturnal emissions, premature ejaculation and leucorrhoea

That concludes the post for the fortnight. Till the next post on 6th March, Radhekrishna!

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

Monday, February 06, 2012

Why do we chant Om?

0 comments

JAY SHREE POOJYASHREE SHREE AMMA

JAY MAHAN BRAHMASHREE GOPALAVALLIDASAR

JAY SHREE RADHEKRISHNA SATHSANG

Radhekrishna to one and all,

In our previous post, we have seen the references of Om in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Let us continue the same in this post.

Even though chanting of OM as a mantra by itself is advocated in the above sutras, it is common to use OM in conjunction with other mantras. In some cases, it is added at the beginning of a shloka ; for example – "OM namo shivaya, OM bhur, bhuvah, svaha" etc. In other cases it is also added at the end of a phrase – e.g., Hari OM. Most of the mantras in the vedas also start with OM. In the spiritual tradition, those who wish to meditate on a regular basis get a personal mantra from their spiritual teacher. This personal mantra may or may not include OM as a part of the mantra.

How to chant OM

As Patanjali states in sutra 1.28, OM should be chanted keeping its meaning and significance in mind. Since OM is the representative sound and symbol for Ishvara, it is important to keep the essence of Ishvara (sutra 1.24) in mind while chanting OM.

Other names for OM

In some of the Upanishads, OM is referred to as ‘udgita’ (the uplifting chant) or ‘Omkara’. In Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and in some Upanishads it is mentioned as ‘Pranava’. Patanjali mentions it as a ‘vachaka’ or the representative symbol for Ishvara (the Lord). Other words used for OM include ‘taraka’ (the one that helps us cross the ocean of this perishable life), ‘akshara’ (indestructible or imperishable), and the Brahman (supreme consciousness) in sound form called ‘Shabda Brahman.

In our next post, let us know the technique of chanting Om.

…to be continued

Section II: Information about Indian herbs

In this post, let us know about Nayebooti or Nah.

  • It’s a small herb with thin branches and leaves having a bitter taste
  • It’s a specific for continuous fevers and tuberculosis
  • It’s used in conjunction with Gooda Booti

That concludes our post for the fortnight. Till the next post on 22nd February, keep on chanting the Radhekrishna namam and enjoy the supreme bliss.

Sarvam Guruvaarpanam

 

Vigyaana Vedhaa Design by Insight © 2009