Hari OM
'Text-days' are for delving into the words and theory of Advaita Vedanta
SAADHANA PANCHAKAM.
FIVE VERSES ON SPIRITUAL PRACTICE. Written by Sri Adi Shankaraachaarya. Please click on the relevant label and ensure to review the posts till date.
Very quickly we have been moving into the deeper and more contemplative aspects of saadhana. Remember, mastering the injunctions of shloka one will, itself, take some discipline. Be not overly eager to progress quickly. Reading and learning of the later stages, observing examples, all help. The focus, though, ought always to be on the step you are on in the here and now. If daily reading remains a challenge (say not a chore!!!), that must be your set saadhana until it becomes a habit and a joy. This does not prevent anyone from learning what comes next. Goals are good...
Shloka Two; Paada Seven.
Worship OM the immutable. The A-U-M conjuct symbol is much more than the sum of its letters. It is the representative of the Supreme Self, without time or space (therefore form); it is the essence of The One Infinite Truth. Its sound is the nature of all names and forms.
OM is not a name but representative of names. It is not Truth but gives indication of Truth.
Your name is not the physical you; it is an appellation by which the individual unit functioning with You in it can be indicated. The flag is not 'the nation' but is a symbol of the nation. In similar fashion, OM indicates that which is the ultimate, a state of consciousness inexpressible.
Thus, we are here asked to consider deeply the possibilities contained within this symbol; to consider our relationship with it and to use it for our purification. We do this through use of जाप/jaapa, (repetition) and prayer as well as contemplation. By use of OM as point of focus, we can begin to train the mind to be still and quiet. The mind becomes more alert, more vigilant and thus more receptive to deeper meditation. OM is a universal chant; it can be used by all and only benefits will be yours!
Paada Eight.
Listen in depth to the Upanishadic declarations. The Upanishads are the ultimate texts of the knowledge in the Sanskrit tradition. The philosophy of Self, a subjective science. We can of course listen directly to teachings from the experienced gurus and their disciples; but we can also take the modern benefit of videos and recordings as well as the multitude of authoritative narratives on texts. In the Upanishads, the Rsis are urging us to 'hear' the call of the True Self and are indicating the conditions which will potentiate our spiritual experience. The 'spring of consciousness' is within and it can be located only with purity and clarity of being, when we can truly open ourselves to the sacred and allow ourselves to glide into the spring of the infinite, unfearful and eager for liberation.
Very quickly we have been moving into the deeper and more contemplative aspects of saadhana. Remember, mastering the injunctions of shloka one will, itself, take some discipline. Be not overly eager to progress quickly. Reading and learning of the later stages, observing examples, all help. The focus, though, ought always to be on the step you are on in the here and now. If daily reading remains a challenge (say not a chore!!!), that must be your set saadhana until it becomes a habit and a joy. This does not prevent anyone from learning what comes next. Goals are good...
Shloka Two; Paada Seven.
Worship OM the immutable. The A-U-M conjuct symbol is much more than the sum of its letters. It is the representative of the Supreme Self, without time or space (therefore form); it is the essence of The One Infinite Truth. Its sound is the nature of all names and forms.
OM is not a name but representative of names. It is not Truth but gives indication of Truth.
Your name is not the physical you; it is an appellation by which the individual unit functioning with You in it can be indicated. The flag is not 'the nation' but is a symbol of the nation. In similar fashion, OM indicates that which is the ultimate, a state of consciousness inexpressible.
Thus, we are here asked to consider deeply the possibilities contained within this symbol; to consider our relationship with it and to use it for our purification. We do this through use of जाप/jaapa, (repetition) and prayer as well as contemplation. By use of OM as point of focus, we can begin to train the mind to be still and quiet. The mind becomes more alert, more vigilant and thus more receptive to deeper meditation. OM is a universal chant; it can be used by all and only benefits will be yours!
Paada Eight.
Listen in depth to the Upanishadic declarations. The Upanishads are the ultimate texts of the knowledge in the Sanskrit tradition. The philosophy of Self, a subjective science. We can of course listen directly to teachings from the experienced gurus and their disciples; but we can also take the modern benefit of videos and recordings as well as the multitude of authoritative narratives on texts. In the Upanishads, the Rsis are urging us to 'hear' the call of the True Self and are indicating the conditions which will potentiate our spiritual experience. The 'spring of consciousness' is within and it can be located only with purity and clarity of being, when we can truly open ourselves to the sacred and allow ourselves to glide into the spring of the infinite, unfearful and eager for liberation.