Science and Spirituality
Y
oga is globally recognized these days as a practical science of health-management. But as the knowledgeable people would agree, this Vedic science is not confined only to some physical postures and breathing exercises. It pertains to the deep science of spirituality. The wordmeaning of “yoga” is — “union,” “combination,” “active linkage.” In spiritual parlance, it implies — active linkage of the inner self with higher realms of Consciousness-Force. The practices of specific methods of yoga can offer holistic well-being at the level of physical, mental, emotional, as well as spiritual levels. The principal techniques of yoga may be grouped into three major classes — pr³ña yoga, dhy³na yoga, and mantra yoga. As a spiritual endeavor (s³dhan³), the mantra yoga, which harnesses the power of Ïabda1, also, to some extent, incorporates pr³ña yoga and dhy³na yoga. Immense Power of Ïabda: The Vedas state —“The transcendent resolve of the Brah®2 (the Omnipresent, Eternal ConsciousnessForce) to express thyself in the infinity was manifested through the
Significance of Ïabda Yoga and Mantra Yoga
evolutionary vibration of Ïabda. Whence Nature came into existence…”. According to the Vedic scriptures, Lord Brahma (the Supreme Creator) then exerted arduous tapa and did epochal s³dhan³ of the Gayatri Mantra that resulted in the manifestation of Nature with its animate and inanimate components and creation of the universe. The other religious scriptures like the holy Qur³na mentions — ‘Khud³ (the Supreme Holy Power, God) said.... “Be…” and All that happened....’; and “The Angel” states –– ‘The absolute word (sound) was there when nothing was there... All have originated from thy word....’. The above-stated maxims (English versions of the original scriptural texts) imply the eternal power of Ïabda as the origin of everything — the perceivable as well as the extra-sensory forms of animate and inanimate elements and powers of Nature.
Every thought, or internal or external desire, expresses itself (to one’s own self or others) via the medium of words; these words, as speech (voice or vocal sound) or thoughts (mental sound), are also manifestations of Ïabda. If the ‘desire’ or idea has emerged, as an urge of conscience, from the deeper depths of the inner self, then its expression will be embedded with a force of the Ïabda Brah®3. Such an ‘inner wish’ will not remain unfulfilled, provided no other disturbance in mind crops up around the same time. Most often, one’s extrovert attitude, mental agility, materialistic cravings and attachments, passions, haphazard or negative thoughts, and lack of confidence in own self subtly disturb one’s mind and block the inner voice. One’s evil instincts and assimilated untoward
Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that’s very important for good health. - Dalai Lama Akhand Jyoti
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JULY-AUG. 2020
