Nāda Yoga.
Nāda Yoga
नमः शिवाय गुरवे नादबिन्दुकलात्मने ।
निरञ्जनपदं याति नित्यं तत्र परायणः ॥ १ ॥
namaḥ śivāya gurave nādabindukalātmane |
nirañjanapadayāti nitya tatra parāyaṇaḥ ||
—Ch. 4, v. 1, Haṭhayogapradīpika
“Salutation to the guru, to Śiva,
who is essentially ‘sound’, ‘point’, ‘division’.
Who is constantly committed to
That attains the state of purity.”
Nāda
Nāda is said to be one of the simplest and most straightforward approaches to Yoga not only for its ability concentrate, calm and restore well-being to the individual both physically and mentally but too, as a tool for self realization and as a path for spiritual liberation and awakening.
So, What Is It?
The word Nāda or Nad refers to sound or tone in a similar sense it also means current, stream, river or flow. Therefore Nāda is the flow of sound, the constant current, the sacred sound stream; a river of sound.
The Nāda Yogis see this constant current as the basis for all things. Indeed, they declare that the world is sound. Subtle sound vibration ex- tending and rippling outwards to create a vast network of events we call the universe.
Nāda Yoga then is the uniting of the individual consciousness with the universal through involvement with the flow of sound.
Ahata and Anahata
There are two categories under which this sound stream is divided:
Ahata - (External Sound, Struck) is the sound produced by two objects coming together. This is the basis for all outer sounds and music. Two hands clapping, A drum stick beating a drum, striking a string of a cello, the crashing of a wave upon the ocean, the vibrating together of the vocal folds to produce the voice. This physical manifestation of sound is received by the mind/body complex through the senses as mechanical energy is converted to electrochemical energy and then transformed in the brain to sensations of sound.
Anahata - (Internal Sound, Unstruck) is said to be the celestial sound and that which is unstruck meaning it is not produced by an outside force. It is much more subtle and intimate because it is unique for each practitioner. This is why it is said to be heard at the esoteric Heart Center or Heart Chakra which is named in accord The Anahata Chakra. Here the practice introverts itself and becomes a bridge to the inner realm.
The Yoga of Deep Listening
Take a moment now to listen to your present environment. Without labeling or identifying any sounds in any areas, simply let the sound touch the instrument of the ear as you become fascinated by the process of hearing.
Just for a moment listen to everything. Arising and falling.
Just sound...
In that intimate moment of listening what did you find?
“Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.”
—John Keats
Reflections:
Were there many sensations of sound and noise that arose within you?
Where did you feel them in the body?
Now, take that listening to the space between the ears and down to the heart. The inner sound can be heard and awoken with gentle effort. It could start as a buzzing vibration, a high pitched signal, the sound of crickets, trumpets or the crackling of a fire; the buzzing of bees, the sound of flutes or gongs echoing through a wide room. Pay attention. Listen to the quietude within and the very vibration your inner world is producing...
What did you notice?
Did you hear any of the sounds described? Did you hear something else?
How was the quality of your mind?