Table Of ContentSept
Advaita
Potluck
Various
names
for
Pranava
or
the
Audible
Life
Stream
"The
earth
and
sky
are
of
naught
but
Shabd
(Word
-‐
sound).
From
Shabd
alone
the
light
was
born,
From
Shabd
alone
creation
came,
Shabd
is
the
essential
core
in
all.
Shabd
is
the
directive
agent
of
God,
the
cause
of
all
creation."
Guru
Nanak
(founder
of
the
religion
of
Sikhism
and
the
first
of
the
Sikh
Gurus)
"Creation
came
into
being
from
Saut
(Sound
or
Word)
and
from
Saut
spread
all
light."
Shams-‐i-‐Tabrīzī
(spiritual
instructor
of
Rumi,
the
famous
Sufi
poet)
“In
the
beginning
was
the
Word
(Sound
Current),
and
the
Word
was
with
God,
and
the
Word
was
God”.
John
1:1
If
you
research
the
sound
current
under
the
following
names,
you
will
find
a
wealth
of
information…
English
terms:
Sound
Current,
Audible
Life
Stream
Sanskrit
terms:
Sruti,
Sraosha,
Kalma,
Naam,
Nad,
Om,
Anahata
Nada
(unstruck
sound),
Nad
(Inner
Music
from
the
Vedas),
Mahaprana
(supreme
energy
flow),
Divya
Shabda
(Divine
Sound),
Anahad
yoga
(union
with
unlimited
sound),
Udgit
(the
song
of
the
Heavenly
Regions
-‐
from
the
Chhandogya
and
Mundak
Upanishads),
Akashvani
(Sanskrit
-‐
voice
from
the
heaven
or
sound/message
from
the
sky),
Pranava
(cosmic
sound),
Naam,
Bang-‐i-‐Ilahi,
Jyoti
or
Jyothi
(auspicious
flame),
Prakasa
(luminous
or
shining
forth),
Christian
terms:
Holy
Spirit,
Word,
Spirit
Persian
(Sufi)
terms:
Hu,
Saut-‐e
Sarmad
(abstract
sound),
Nida-‐i-‐
Asmani,
(call
of
the
Firmament),
Nida-‐i-‐Sultani
(call
of
the
Emperor),
Tajalli
(appearance
of
God)
Zoroastrian
term:
Sraosha
(embodiment
of
the
divine
word)
Tibetan
term:
Bardo
Thodol
(liberation
through
hearing
during
the
intermediate
stage,
luminous
spiritual
substance
underlying
the
mind,
clear
light
of
reality)
Chinese
term:
Tao
(primordial
essence)
Greek
term:
Logos
(The
Stoic
philosophers
identified
the
term
with
the
divine
animating
principle
pervading
the
Universe)
Definition
of
the
Audible
Life
Stream
“The
subtle
body
of
the
Creator
is
the
mystic
sound
Pranava,
which
is
sound
and
light.
The
universe
resolves
into
sound
and
light
and
then
into
transcendence–Param”
Ramana
Maharshi
(Section
215
of
Talks
with
Sri
Ramana
Maharshi).
The
sound
current
responds
to
love
because
love
is
the
essence
of
the
divine.
Therefore,
opening
the
heart
to
the
Audible
Life
Stream
is
a
method
for
liberation.
“The
Ekakshara
(a
single
letter
in
Sanskrit
that
represents
sound
-‐
OM)
shines
forever
in
the
heart
as
the
Self”
Ramana
Maharshi
(The
Collected
Works
of
Sri
Ramana
Maharshi),
sixth
edition,
p.
145).
“Seek
the
Sound
that
never
ceases.
Seek
the
Sun
that
never
sets.”
Rumi
(13th
century
Persian
mystic
poet)
Anahata
(Sanskrit:
Anāhata)
means
“unhurt,
unstruck
and
unbeaten”Anahata
Nada
refers
to
the
Vedic
concept
of
unstruck
sound
(the
sound
of
the
celestial
realm).
Anahata
is
associated
with
a
calm,
serene
sound
devoid
of
violence.
It
is
the
primal
sound
of
energy
itself.
"One,
who
is
adept
in
listening
to
the
unstruck
sound
in
anahata
(the
heart
chakra),
(which
is)
uninterrupted
like
a
rushing
river,
attains
the
supreme
state
of
Brahma
(God)
by
mastery
of
shabdabrahman
(transcendental
sound),
the
form
of
Brahman
as
sound."
Vigyana
Bhairava
Tantra
(5,000
year
old
ancient
Indian
text
on
meditation
for
reaching
a
state
of
non-‐duality)
The
Nada
Yoga
Sadhana
(the
yoga
of
sound
meditation)
unfolds
and
reaches
the
unbroken
sound,
which
in
yoga
is
known
as
Anahata
Nada
–
the
sound
which
continues.
It
has
no
beginning
and
no
end.
"Meditating
on
the
palace
of
the
anahad
(unstruck)
sound
within,
one
enters
the
eternal
Brahma
(Supreme
Being).
Vigyana
Bhairava
Tantra
“I
am
hearing
some
strange
music,
as
if
bells
are
ringing,
but
nobody
is
shaking
them.”
Kabir
(16th
century
Indian
mystic
poet)
This
sound
can
be
heard
internally
and
is
the
current
emanating
from
the
Creator.
It
is
the
means
of
concentrating
the
mind
and
raising
the
Self
back
to
the
Supreme
Being.
“AUM
is
the
eternal
truth.
That
which
remains
over
after
the
disappearance
of
objects
is
AUM.
It
does
not
merge
in
anything.
It
is
the
State
of
which
it
is
said:
“Where
one
sees
none
other,
hears
none
other,
knows
none
other,
that
is
Perfection”
Ramana
Maharshi
(Yatra
nanyat
pasyati,
nanyat
srunoti,
nanyat
vijanati
sa
bhuma)
(Section
634
of
Talks
with
Sri
Ramana
Maharshi).
“AUM
is
everything”
Ramana
Maharshi
(Day
by
Day
with
Bhagavan,
Devaraja
Mudaliar,
p.
214).
“Earnest
seekers
who,
incessantly
and
with
a
steady
mind,
repeat
AUM
will
attain
success.
By
repetition
of
the
pure
AUM
the
mind
is
withdrawn
from
sense
objects
and
becomes
one
with
the
Self”
Ramana
Maharshi
(Sri
Ramana
Gita
3:10,11,
Ganapati
Muni).
A
method
of
raising
the
consciousness
and
focusing
the
mind
in
meditation
is
to
repeat
the
sound
Aaaaoooommmm
(OM
or
AUM)
silently
to
oneself
while
placing
ones
attention
on
the
space
between
the
eyebrows
or
the
crown
of
the
head.
One
way
is
to
breath
in
and
mentally
intone
“Ah”
and
when
breathing
out
silently
chant
“OM”.
Another
is
to
just
repeat
OM
silently
without
paying
attention
to
breathing.
There
are
many
other
mantras
used
to
calm
the
mind.
“From
Thee
has
emanated
the
Bani
(sound
current)
or
the
Holy
Word,
which
is
the
path
to
salvation”
Guru
Nanak
(Jap
Ji,
Stanza
21)
Suggested
Meditations
Disclaimer:
The
following
meditations
for
the
next
7
days
are
just
suggestions
for
working
with
the
Audible
Life
Stream.
They
are
not
meant
to
replace
your
regular
meditation
practices,
especially
if
you
are
having
success
with
them.
These
seven
days
of
meditation
are
only
meant
as
a
guideline
for
achieving
the
state
of
non-‐duality
by
linking
the
Self
to
the
Audible
Life
Stream.
You
can
do
these
meditations
in
the
order
given
or
just
pick
whatever
appeals
to
you
if
any.
If
you
don’t
have
the
time
nor
inclination
to
meditate
seven
straight
days,
just
pick
one
day.
If
you
find
a
technique
that
works
well
for
hearing
the
Celestial
Sound(s),
then
by
all
means,
stick
to
it.
Hopefully,
those
of
you
who
have
your
own
method
for
experiencing
divine
light
and
sound,
are
willing
to
share
it
with
others
at
our
meetup.
The
quotations
are
meant
as
a
means
of
raising
the
mind
to
a
higher
level
of
awareness
and
perhaps
some
inspiration
before
starting
a
meditation.
End
of
Disclaimer
If
you
decide
to
experiment
with
these
meditations
you
might
notice
they
often
use
controlled
imagination
to
move
one
into
a
higher
state
of
consciousness.
Controlled
imagination
leads
to
enlightenment
while
uncontrolled
imagination
leads
to
illusion.
Imagination
is
a
powerful
tool
that
can
be
developed
by
paying
attention.
It’s
not
about
using
willpower
to
force
concentration
because
this
is
using
brute
force
to
move
the
consciousness
into
a
specific
direction.
Willpower
often
brings
about
resistance
by
the
mind
and
thus
creates
doubts.
Instead,
one
pays
attention
to
subtle
changes
as
the
imagination
take
us
wherever
we
want
to
go.
Think
of
imagination
as
inner
sight.
Faith
is
the
key
for
unlocking
doors
in
the
higher
worlds.
In
other
words,
what
you
think
is
imaginary
is
in
fact
real
for
that
particular
plane
of
consciousness.
When
reaching
the
higher
levels
of
pure
spirit,
the
imagination
is
dropped
like
everything
else.
"Drive
away
all
skepticism
from
thy
mind,
And
listen
to
the
strains
of
heavenly
music,
And
receive
within
thee
the
messages
of
God"
Rumi
(13th
century
Persian
poet)
Unlike
the
coarse
physical
sensations,
inner
experiences
can
be
very
subtle.
This
is
because
these
worlds
vibrate
at
a
much
finer
level
than
our
physical
universe.
The
Audible
Life
Stream
has
a
downward
and
an
upward
movement
in
the
spirit-‐material
worlds.
Catch
the
upward
flow
into
the
worlds
of
non-‐duality
(unmanifested
worlds
of
pure
spirit).
The
unmanifested
is
the
Absolute,
the
pure
and
formless
ground
of
being
from
which
creation
and
manifestation
arise.
As
such,
the
unmanifested
is
free
from
change
-‐
the
unmoved
mover.
It
cannot
be
explained
or
comprehended
in
terms
of
any
manifest
reality.
We
don’t
go
from
point
A
to
B,
but
rather
experience
a
gradual
awareness
of
more
subtle
realms.
In
a
sense,
we
are
becoming
aware
of
deeper
refined
areas
of
purity.
After
each
meditation,
you
might
want
to
write
down
any
insights
gained
and
experiences
you
would
like
to
share.
In
meditation
you
can
be
a
witness,
participant,
or
both.
Day
1
“The
subtle
body
of
the
Creator
is
the
mystic
sound
Pranava,
which
is
sound
and
light.
The
universe
resolves
into
sound
and
light
and
then
into
transcendence–Param”
Ramana
Maharshi
(Section
215
of
Talks
with
Sri
Ramana
Maharshi).
“The
purport
of
prescribing
meditation
on
the
Pranava
(cosmic
sound
-‐
life
giver
-‐
controller
of
life
force)
is
this.
The
Pranava
is
Omkara
(mystical
sound
-‐
the
OM)…the
advaita-‐mantra
(non-‐duality
chant)
which
is
the
essence
of
all
mantras….
In
order
to
get
at
this
true
significance,
one
should
meditate
on
the
Pranava
(cosmic
sound).
…The
fruition
of
this
process
is
samadhi
(union
with
the
divine)
which
yields
release
[moksha],
which
is
the
state
of
unsurpassable
bliss.”
Ramana
Maharshi
(The
Collected
Works
of
Ramana
Maharshi,
sixth
edition
1996,
p.
25,26)
“The
whole
universe
is
a
combination
of
prana
(life
giving
force)
and
akasha
(all
pervading
field).”
Vivekananda
(Commenting
on
Yoga
Sutra
1:34)
Day
1
Suggested
Meditation
Close
your
eyes
and
sit
comfortably
with
your
back
straight.
Take
a
few
deep
breaths
to
relax.
Place
your
attention
on
the
spot
between
your
eyebrows
-‐
the
spiritual
eye.
“If
thine
eye
be
single,
thy
whole
body
be
full
of
light.”
Mathew
(6:22)
Focus
the
mind
and
raise
your
awareness
by
internally
chanting
a
mantra
such
as
OM.
It
works
better
to
chant
silently
rather
than
outloud.
Listen
to
the
inner
sound
and
look
for
the
inner
light.
It
might
sound
like
the
wind,
the
roar
of
a
faraway
ocean,
buzzing
bees,
or
a
high
pitched
electrical
current.
It
is
a
sound
without
pauses.
When
you
hear
it,
know
that
you
are
hearing
the
Celestial
Sound
Current
that
sustains
all
life.
Often
the
sound
is
heard
through
the
right
ear
because
of
the
Pingala
Nadi
(right
channel
of
energy
flow
in
the
head).
When
you
become
aware
of
the
light
and
sound
of
the
Celestial
Sound
Current,
merge
with
it
and
experience
non-‐duality
(“I
am
that”).
Then
follow
the
sound
back
to
its
divine
source.
Day
2
Question
-‐
“Sir,
what
is
the
Anahata
sound?”
Sri
Ramakrishna
:
"It
is
a
spontaneous
sound
constantly
going
on
by
itself.
It
is
the
sound
of
the
Pranava,
Om.
It
originates
in
the
Supreme
Brahman
and
is
heard
by
yogis.
People
immersed
in
worldliness
do
not
hear
it.
A
yogi
alone
knows
that
this
sound
originates
both
from
his
navel
and
from
the
Supreme
Brahman
resting
on
the
Ocean
of
Milk.
Ramakrishna
(Vivekananda’s
teacher)
"Nada
is
found
within.
It
is
a
music
without
strings
which
plays
in
the
body.
It
penetrates
the
inner
and
the
outer
and
leads
you
away
from
illusion."
Kabir
A
Gujerati
gentleman
said
that
he
was
concentrating
on
sound
-‐
nada
-‐
and
desired
to
know
if
the
method
was
right.
Ramana
Maharshi:
"Meditation
on
nada
is
one
of
the
several
approved
methods.
The
adherents
claim
a
very
special
virtue
for
the
method.
According
to
them
it
is
the
easiest
and
the
most
direct
method.
Just
as
a
child
is
lulled
to
sleep
by
lullabies,
so_nada
soothes
one
to
the
state
of
samadhi;
again
just
as
a
king
sends
his
state
musicians
to
welcome
his
son
on
his
return
from
a
long
journey,
so
also
nada
takes
the
devotee
into
the
Lord’s
Abode
in
a
pleasing
manner.
Nada
helps
concentration.
After
it
is
felt
the
practice
should
not
be
made
an
end
in
itself.
Nada
is
not
the
objective;
the
subject
should
firmly
be
held;
otherwise
a
blank
will
result.
Though
the
subject
is
there
even
in
the
blank
he
would
not
be
aware
of
the
cessation
of
nada
of
different
kinds.
In
order
to
be
aware
even
in
that
blank
one
must
remember
his
own
self.
Nada
upasana
(meditation
on
sound)
is
good;
it
is
better
if
associated
with
investigation
(vichara).
In
that
case
the
nada
is
made
up
of
chinmaya
and
also
tanmaya
(of
Knowledge
and
of
Self).
Nada
helps
concentration".
Ramana
Maharshi
(27th
January,
1936
Talk
148)
Day
2
Suggested
Meditation
Close
your
eyes.
Take
a
few
deep
breaths
and
imagine
all
stress
leaving
your
body
and
mind
as
you
breathe
out.
Silently
chant
OM
or
your
favorite
mantra.
Now
focus
your
attention
on
the
spot
between
your
eyebrows.
Move
your
awareness
up
to
the
top
of
your
head
-‐
the
crown
chakra.
Go
through
it
and
hover
above
your
head.
Listen
to
the
continual
inner
sound.
It
might
sound
like
the
wind
or
a
high
pitched
electrical
current.
It’s
a
sound
without
pauses.
When
you
hear
it,
know
that
you
are
hearing
the
Celestial
Sound
Current
that
sustains
all
life.
Realize
you
are
one
with
the
Sound
Current.
Being
one
with
the
Sound
Current
you
are
omniscient.
Your
consciousness
continues
to
expand
like
a
balloon.
Let
your
awareness
grow
until
all
worlds
and
universes
are
within
you.
Nothing
exists
outside
of
you.
Observe…
Day
3
“When
air
(prana
-‐
energy
flow)
enters
the
Brahmarandhra
(crown
chakra),
nada
(sound)
is
also
produced
there.
resembling
at
first
the
sound
of
a
conchblast
(sankha-‐dhvani)
and
like
the
thunder-‐clap
(megha-‐
dhvani)
in
the
middle;
and
when
the
air
has
reached
the
middle
of
the
head,
like
the
roaring
of
a
mountain
cataract
(giri-‐
prasravana)
Thereafter,
0
great
wise
one!
the
Atman
(the
true
Self),
mightily
pleased,
will
actually
appear
in
front
of
thee.
Then
there
will
be
the
ripeness
of
the
knowledge
of
Atman
(Divine)
from
Yoga
and
the
disowning
by
the
Yogi
of
worldly
existence.”
Darsana-‐Upanishad
(6.36.–
38)
“By
sound
one
becomes
liberated
[Anavrittih
shabdai]”
Brahma
Sutras
4.4.22.
Day
3
Suggested
Meditation
Become
a
single
entity
with
the
Audible
Life
Stream.
Notice
all
existence
is
within
you.
Everything
is
nothing
but
consciousness.
Observe
how
the
supreme
consciousness
arises.
Day
4
"By
one
who
is
desirous
of
attaining
perfection
in
Yoga,
Nada
alone
has
got
to
be
closely
heard
(meditated
upon),
having
abandoned
all
thoughts
and
with
a
calm
mind."
(Sankaracharya,
Yoga-‐taravali)
“With
a
mind
disciplined
by
the
practice
of
yoga,
which
does
not
turn
to
anything
else,
to
the
divine
supreme
Spirit
he
goes,
meditating
on
Him”.
Bhagavad
Ghita
(8:5–8)
Description:English terms: Sound Current, Audible Life Stream. Sanskrit terms: Ramana Maharshi (Section 215 of Talks with Sri Ramana Maharshi). The sound current . “If thine eye be single, thy whole body be full of light.” Mathew (6:22).
