Paradigm Explorer 2018/2
Transmission within Meditation – the Phenomenology of Heartfulness Rosalind Pearmain I was introduced to a different kind of meditation in 1976. It was rooted in Raj Yoga, yet Sufi elements from north India were imbued within its origins also. This new approach came into being as an organisation after 1945 and was originally termed Sahaj Marg meaning simple or natural way. The focus of attention is on the heart but, more significantly, meditators are given a connection with a very subtle current termed pranahuti, called transmission (sometimes described as divine energy for the transformation of humanity).
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If you were to try this practice, initially in a group with a trainer, or one to one, you would be invited to centre your awareness or attention in the area of your chest where you sense your heart to be; then to make the supposition that there is a divine presence, or source of light drawing your attention towards it. This does not require visualisation but just the thought or idea of this presence or source of light being there. At this point, you would simply rest your attention and wait to feel as an experiential process and presence. Any thoughts that arise are not suppressed but the foreground focus is this idea of divine presence. An additional practice in the evening invites practitioners to entertain the idea that all the complexities and impressions of the day are being dissolved and are going out through the back as vapour. In their place, the person can feel replenished with a sacred source. Introductory sessions with trainers help each practitioner to have a continuing access to this ‘transmission’ on their own. There is an encouragement to practice daily and each person would also have the opportunity to join in group sessions or one to one sessions with a trainer. These could be offered in person or even remotely. There are no charges. How we can make sense of this phenomenon of transmission may lie within all the current speculations involved in consciousness studies which include the subtle implications
of quantum theories and beyond. On an experiential level, during my forty years of engagement with this practice I can vouch for the sense of being connected with, and being met by, a very enfolding, often deeply relaxing and pleasant emanation. This is likely to be experienced differently in each meditation, and by each person, but with common qualities. It starts as soon as the group or individual meditation starts. Over time, it can be felt in some way as a background feeling within the heart. One analogy could be to compare it with hearing silent music that attunes the subtle centres of perception in the heart to a deeper source of sound within. Basically, a common reaction among those who try it out is that it makes meditation easier than they expected and that afterwards they feel lighter, more calm and these effects percolate into daily life. For those who work with it as a practice, they discern a sense of being involved in a dynamic process of heart opening that steadily yields significant changes and profound intimations. Transmission is a term that is used within spiritual philosophy and practice. Often it connotes the transfer of teaching between guide and practicant. Usually this takes place on a personal level. Within the Institute of Noetic Sciences, it has been one of their topics for research. In Heartfulness, the transmission is available worldwide with no charge at any time. The original teacher
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