MAUNA
YOGA. Iswara Prasadam is what God has in store for us. Come what may, Prasadam
is to be accepted as God’s love. Usually after temple puja, vibhuti and ponggal
is accepted as prasadha. There is no dwesha – dislike, hatred or aversion
towards temple prasadha. This is a message to welcome and accommodate life’s one
too many encounters. Every issue or shortcoming is deemed to be within the Grace
of Iswara prasadham. There is always a blessing in Prasada even-though there is
no immediate result.
Accepting
life’s shortcoming and happiness as karma phalam is Saranagathi. Ishvara
Pranidhanam means final surrender. This is the attitude that brings about Shanti
or peace. In accordance with the Prarabdha of each, the One whose function it is
to ordain makes each to act. ‘What will not happen will never happen, whatever
effort one may put forth. And what will happen will not fail to happen, however
much one may seek to prevent it. This is certain. The part of wisdom therefore
is to stay silent’, said Bhagavan Ramana Maharishi.
The
purpose of Mauna is defeated if there is any mental debate going on. Maunam as
Ishvara-svarupam, the truth of Supreme Brahman proclaimed through silent
eloquence, is what is stated, silent eloquence. Even this thought is to be
dropped and so is are sunyavadin-nihilist thoughts. There is to be no academic
discussion in the mind. That is noise. During silent tapas, thinking about what
Sri Krishna, Sankaracharya, Ramana, Ramanujacharya, Madhvacharya, Nayanmaars or
Alvars or any modern acharya is but noise. You might as well pick up a book and
read or write notes. When the yoga is silence, Vedanta or Siddhanta schools or
other faiths and gurus are to be dropped. It is yoga of silence not tapas of
noise. You don’t need all this except grace of Divinity. You need yourself to be
in stillness and not let the mind float away. It is better to be renovated in
aloneness than to be in bondage with noise.
MAUNAM
SARVATHA SADHAKAM: Silence is the means of all achievements or
goals. Maunam karoti - observe silence; maunam karoti - hold one's tongue;
maunam eva ucitam - better be quiet; mounam pazyati - observe silence. Remain
quiet, remain still, O mind, you will become Divinity.
ANANDA
TAPOVANAM. What is nature meditation? Prakriti is rich in colors and sounds.
'Prakriti yoga-nila'i or 'prakriti-tavam' means nature meditation. It is far
different from machine-driven mind-stressed life routine. Nature helps in the
body mind-senses to work in harmony with Divinity. Natural atmosphere
revitalizes basic intelligence and physiology because the senses are engaged
with nature, its different colors and sounds. The chirping and singing of birds,
the trickling waters of mountain streams, screeching crickets, boasting toads,
flapping bats, cool breeze, smell of fresh vegetation, blossoming flowers etc
add to life a rhythm of nature not found in urban life.
A
deep state of meditation comes about with the least number of people around. It
is a solo venture in a green comfortable spot to concentrate more effectively.
No-one cares if you are dressed or digambar. There would be no-one to tell you
of postures as long as you are comfortable. There are no faces or deities to
concentrate on. You are your own deity; it is your own experiment of what suits
you best to enjoy the colors and sounds. You can meditation with open or closed
eyes.
Your
eyelids are not camera shutters to be closed in a second. Let me share some
Siddha notes on this. Be seated comfortably. Have a slow count of nine chants,
like Hara Hara Mahadeva, Om Namah Shivaya or Om Shakti or any mantra you like.
Look straight and roll your eyeballs upwards. It may cause a little pressure in
the beginning but you will get used to it. With the eyeball aimed upwards to the
maximum, now very very very slowly bring your eyelids down. Reposition your eyes
within to look straight and relax in the position. All this should be over with
the last ninth chant
MANTRA
AND TANTRA! “O Mother ! Neither I know any incantation nor I have
any mystical talisman. Why ? I don't know any hymn either. I have no idea how to
invoke you or how to meditate on you. Neither I know your story nor your glory,
nor I know your various postures nor I am given to weeping in distress. But one
thing I know for certain that seeking shelter under your protection, and
following your order, is definitely going to end all afflictions” - Na mantram
na yantram tadapi cha na jane stutimaho Na chavhanam dhyanam tadapi cha na jane
stutikathah I Na Jane mudraste tadapi cha na jane vilapanam Param jane
matastvadanusaranam kleshaharanam. Adi Sankaracharya.
Neither
do I know how to give, Nor do I know how to meditate, Neither do I know Thantra;
Nor do I know stanzas of prayer, Neither do I know how to worship, Nor do I know
the art of yoga, So you are my refuge and my only refuge, Bhavani Na Janaami
Dhanam, Na cha dhyana yogam, Na janami thathram, na cha sthothra manthram, Na
janami poojam, na cha nyasa yogam, Gathisthwam, Gathisthwam thwam ekaa Bhavani
Bhavani Astakam, Adi Sankaracharya.
