Hari
OM
Monday is AUM-day; in search of meditation.
We
are exploring different ways of using OM to focus our minds and enter higher
meditation. There are two more
methodologies. Each of them is a variation on last week's, as they dwell upon
the structure of OM.. That is to say, using the AUM+turiiya as a scaffold upon
which to hang our contemplation. Today
we look at this from the point of view of levels of awareness.
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The four parts of AUM have been likened to material, subtle, causal
worlds and the silence beneath them. AUM can also refer to the levels of waking, dreaming and deep sleep. The "A" sound refers to the waking state of consciousness. The "U" part refers to the dreaming state of consciousness. The "M" refers to
the deep sleep state
of consciousness. The Silence after these three, refers to the witness consciousness (sakshi) which is the observer of the other three
states of consciousness.
Why
would the sadhak concern his or herself with whether or not we are sleeping,
waking or somewhere between? Each state has a function in our awareness of the
absolute reality. Also, it is said that the states of deep sleep, samaadhi and
death (which we currently see as distinct and separate states) are very close
together and that they function at similar levels. By contemplating the effects
of each state, then, the sadhak can become more attuned as to which state they
are actually in! If you have been following AUM-day fully, you will understand
this, as samaadhi is the desirable state of the sadhak, not sleep. As well, for
one who attains 'realisation', death is merely another state of being, holding
no fear.
How to
apply this to AUM? As with the practice
given last week, it is easiest to begin by remembering the mantra very slowly,
allowing yourself time to be aware of each of the levels. Steady and regular
practice will bring things more readily to you and there will be less of actual 'method'
and more of actual 'oh yes I see that!'
- Beginning with "A", be aware of the waking state of consciousness. This simply means being aware of being awake. It is not the observation of the material world, as in the last method, but more about the awareness of how and who you are within that level. 'Oh yes, hello world, this is me seeing you!' rather than 'I seeeee yoouuuuu….'
- Moving on to "U", be aware of the dreaming state of consciousness. This is the place where all sorts of weird and wonderful images may arise, profound insights can occur and so on. In this awareness meditation however, simply note the state of awareness which permits such randomness. Here you can glimpse the you who dreams, without being involved in the dreams.
- Next comes the "M". Now be aware of the deep sleep state of consciousness. In meditation we can do this where as, whilst actually in sleep, we are completely unaware of this state. We know it after we wake up but not whilst we are in it. Here in meditation we can become aware of how the mind is in complete rest in deep sleep. There is no activity. No thought process, no imagery, no words... All are at rest and we begin to understand that there is something we might refer to as the formless form.
- Coming into the silence (turiiya) we find the level of the consciousness which pervades all of the other three states. We come to appreciate the absolute formless consciousness which is present in all forms. This is where the universe can open itself up to us. It is where we can leave the universe behind...
The key
difference between this and the previous method is that of internal as opposed
to external. Last time you were doing the observing. This time you are becoming
the observer.
SAADHANA
...actually
each of these posts is a saadhana, meditation is saadhana. Saadhana is daily
practice. To borrow a phrase… just do it!
