NadaYogi

NADAYOGI license plate New York. NADA means sound. Nada Yoga is the Yoga of sound.

Nāda is classified into two forms: anāhata and āhata. Anāhata,” the unstruck”, is the vibratory primordial sound of creation that requires no friction to be produced. Also known as prānava, or Om (A-U-M), it is a sound perceptible only to our subtle spiritual senses. Āhata, “the struck” is sound produced by air molecules “striking” each other, for example, plucking a string, singing, air rustling leaves, etc, and is perceptible to the ordinary senses. Sound, śabda, is the most subtle of the panca tanmātras, the five subtle elements, which include smell, taste, sight, and touch, but can be the most powerful. Our auditory sense is the first to develop, in utero, and the last to leave in the human, physical experience. In the Yoga Sutras I:32, Patanjali states that when the mind is fully concentrating on a single object, in this case, sound, it can prevent obstacles that can impede the meditation practice. Meditation (dhyāna) precedes samādhi, where one is absorbed and “becomes one with the object of knowledge” that brings us eternal bliss. Ancient ṛṣis (seers) are aware of this and fine-tuned their listening capacity with such intensity that they “heard” sacred teachings and revelations, what is known as the Vedas, which are considered śruti, what is heard. To fine-tune our listening capacity towards the supreme knowledge of anāhata, we can start by practicing mindful listening to āhata nāda, like sounds in our environment, sounds of nature, our voices, breath, sacred music, singing bowls, etc. Āhata may not be available for individuals with physical auditory limitations but the anāhata is accessible to all.

Nada Yoga Sutra

  1. Nada is the sound that uplifts ones mind to seek union with the higher self
  2. Nada Yoga is the practice of using sound to elevate oneself to higher planes of consciousness, in the aim that one finds oneself.
  3. The goal ofo Nada Yoga is Samadhi – the complete dissolution of the mind.
  4. A Nada Yogi is not a performer, an artist, or a musician, for he/she performs for no-one but himself.
  5. His/Her music is an expression and discovery of him/herself.
  6. The Yogi must practice for himself and not get distracted by performing for others.
  7. Once the Yogi attains the goal of Nada Yoga which is total dissolution, he must use this sacred science for the upliftment of others.
  8. The Yogi is spontaneous in Nada.
  9. True Nada is never planned.
  10. The Yogi sharpens his focus by taking attention to the vibrations caused in different parts of the body.
  11. The twelve notes are the basis for Nada Yoga.
  12. Movements between the notes should be unhurried.
  13. The Nada Yogi should have the ability to hold a note without quivers for a long duration of time.
  14. The breath is the secret through which steadiness can be maintained.
  15. The ultimate flowering of the Nada Yogi is when he does not produce the sound, rather is a mere witness to its production and manipulation.
  16. Therefore, the Yogi must enquire as to what is the source of the sound.
  17. Bliss lies in the merging of the two notes in a gradual and leisurely manner.
  18. The Prakruthi Swaras are good destinations to reach from notes immediately preceding or succeeding them.
  19. The Yogi should build up the tension around Prakruthi Swaras and slowly release it by fixing on the Prakruthi Swaras for an entire breath.
  20. This causes unbridled joy and brings about a dissolution of the mind.
  21. The Prakruthi Swaras are one’s home. The Yogi needs to be as compfortable as one is in one’s home.
  22. With devotion and peace one establishes oneself at home.
  23. On Achieving Samyama on the Prakruthi Swaras, a Yogi starts distinguishing between the word and its true meaning.
  24. The true intention of others speech and the thought behind it is easily understood.
  25. ON SILENCE
  26. The basis of all sound is silence, just like a canvas to a painting.
  27. The birth of creativity is in silence.
  28. Therefore, the Yogi must endeavour to spend long periods in silence.
  29. Silence purifies all sound and sharpens the inner ear, which in turn sharpens the Nada.
  30. THE TAMBURI
  31. The Tamburi is the Yogi’s best friend. He must keep its company at all times.
  32. The radiant and pure Nada of the Tamburi purifies the environment and removes darkness.
  33. The Yogi should perform Samyama on the strumming of the Tamburi.
  34. The Tamburi should be used to settle the mind and initiate one’s attunment to Nada.
  35. When the mind is attuned ot the Tamburi, all notes of the octave can be perceived.