From: "Brahmeshvar_Deva" brahmeshvar99@g....com
To: anandamargaglobalnewsletter@gmail.com
Subject: Way to Improve Sadhana
Date: 03 May 2013 15:45:08 -0000
Namaskar,
In the life of each and every sadhaka - in the life of each and every A'nanda Ma'rgii - there is an inherent desire to make sadhana better and better, by His grace. This is the common feeling amongst all bhaktas.
To that end, we follow Baba's various do's and don'ts. Before sadhana we do half-bath, find a quiet place, do sastaunga pranam, and then sing and dance kiirtana before sitting for meditation.
However in this ultra-modern and technological era, where machines and gadgets often dominate our lives, there is the tendency just to listen to kiirtana via a stereo etc - and not sing ourselves. This can happen. Because that reliance upon technology can enter into every sector of our existence, including our devotional practices like kiirtana. So while living in this modern era we should be aware.
Because Baba's guideline is that to get the real benefit of kiirtana then one must sing - loudly.
"To proclaim the glories of Parama purus'a, the Supreme Consciousness, in a loud voice is termed 'kiirtanaa'. The Sam'skrta root verb kirtt means to 'utter something loudly so that others may also hear it'; thus kiirtanaa means to proclaim the glories of the Lord loudly for all to hear." (1)
Here again Baba delivers the same message, in slightly different language.
"kiirtanaa means to utter good words loudly; not mentally, nor in a whisper, but loud enough for everyone to hear. It is never done secretly, but always openly...So devotees will openly sing praises to Parama Purus'a. kiirtanaa means, as I said a little earlier, to sing the Lord's glory in a loud voice." (2)
As Baba explains above, part and parcel of "doing kiirtana" means singing kiirtana - not just listening to kiirtana. And best is to dance as well. In this way one can get 100% benefit: A unique devotional feeling overcomes the entire existence and one feels a deep sense of peace within. This we have all surely experienced.
As we know there is an underlying science behind all our spiritual-cum-devotional practices. In this respect, Baba guides us that by singing kiirtana we are engaging more of the body's organs than if we just simply listen. By singing, then the mouth, throat, tongue, and vocal chords are also involved. This enhances one's ability to focus on the kiirtana.
"At the time of kiirtanaa, the vocal cord sings, the ears hear, and the hands and feet dance, and thus all the organs are kept preoccupied with the divine. They are not allowed to move wherever they want but are kept engaged. There is a popular Indian superstition that when ghosts are not kept busy they break the necks of their prey. Similarly, if the sensory and motor organs are not kept engaged in the attainment of the divine, they may lead one astray. kiirtanaa is therefore most beneficial as it keeps all the organs fully engaged in a spiritual pursuit." (3)
Thus by singing kiirtana the mind is more engaged in the devotional practice of kiirtana than if one is just listening. And best is to dance also. By this way, sadhana will be improved. That is Baba's teaching.
Some may say or think that they do not have time to stop and sing kiirtana. But the reply is that singing kiirtana itself need not take any extra time. One can sing kiirtana while doing mundane duties such as when cleaning the kitchen or when bathing etc. So singing kiirtana itself can be done frequently throughout the day. It is a way to spiritualise all our daily activities and then when we sit for sadhana we will automatically feel the difference. So while driving or walking or when preparing lunch, we can sing kiirtana. Actually, if we look carefully, we will come across so many moments in our day where we can sing kiirtana in a loud voice - thereby enhancing devotional life.
One key point is that one should consider whether they have a "beautiful voice" or not. Doing proper kiirtana is not a matter of singing in tune or in a particular pitch. That is the important characteristic of kiirtana. When anyone sings kiirtana, Parama Purusa only thinks about the sweetness and sincerity of the devotee's heart - not the tune or melody. So no one should suffer from any type of complex about whether they have a good voice or not. That is not the point.
Rather we should always remember that we are only singing to please Parama Purusa. For this we simply need to awaken that devotional feeling that is naturally inside.
Ultimately between Parama Purusa and the bhakta there is an inherent relation of love - that is based solely on the heart. With this feeling one should sing kiirtana.
By Baba's grace singing and dancing kiirtana brings tremendous bliss in the life and enhances sadhana. We should always remember that no matter what circumstance we may find ourselves in, always He is listening to our kiirtana. This is His unfathomable blessing upon us.
"Everywhere you are with Parama Purus'a, and never in this universe, nowhere in this universe, are you alone. So you are never helpless. Wherever you may be, do your kiirtanaa, 'Ba'ba' Na'ma Kevalam.' He is with you. You are never alone. Your are never weak. You are never helpless." (4)
KIIRTANA PURIFIES THE MIND FOR SADHANA
In various discourses Baba says that when the mind is not concentrated in sadhana then one should do kiirtana wholeheartedly and then sadhana will be much better.
"Now the time has come to manifest the glory of kiirtanaa. And I also want to say further that those who wish to attain spiritual progress in their sádhaná will have to do more and more kiirtanaa. By kiirtanaa, the mind becomes pure, and with this pure mind, one can do sádhaná. If the mind is made pure even for five minutes by kiirtanaa, then if you do sádhaná for only five minutes, your sádhaná will be very good – you will surely attain spiritual progress. And because of your spiritual progress, you will come closer and closer to the Supreme Consciousness, you will come in contact with His psychic waves. And in that state you will be able to render still better service to human beings, animals and plants, by means of Neohumanism. May you all be blessed." (5)
"There are many people who are very fond of praising themselves by telling everyone what wonderful things they have done, but, as mentioned in this sloka, kiirtanaa is not for one's own self but for Hari. Even though people are taught to do kiirtanaa for Hari, they still make the mistake of praising themselves too much. Sometimes their self-praise is so intense that others are obliged to say, “Please stop praising yourself so much.” They forget that their self-applause is rather boring for others. Human beings should realize that no one likes to hear the self-praise of others." (6)
"These days many psychic diseases have appeared as a result of this mental complexity. Many people are committing suicide; many people are becoming lunatics. The reason is that people are unable to adjust with the various types of complexities in life."
"The human brain is limited, and its nerve cells also have a limited capacity: they cannot tolerate these growing complexities. kiirtanaa gives bliss to Parama Puruśa in the mental sphere, and it also brings joy to human beings both individually and collectively; it leads them on the path of welfare and frees them from all these complexities. It removes all the diseases of the intellect and allows people to think easily and in the proper way."
"So intelligent people should do kiirtanaa as much as possible. When people, due to psychic complexities, cannot find the solution to their difficulties and they are at a loss what to do, if they sit together at any place and do kiirtanaa wholeheartedly for a while, their psychic complexities will be removed and they will easily seize upon the solution to their problems." (7)
THE TERM "BABA" MEANS THE NEAREST AND DEAREST ONE
"Just to concentrate your mind during your occult practice, you must dance and sing kiirtanaa, because kiirtanaa is the best purifying agent. It purifies the mind, and its meaning is also very good. Its meaning is, “O Father, I am to take your name and your name only.” Bábá means “the nearest and dearest one”." (8)
Namaskar,
in Him,
Brahmeshvar
REFERENCES:
1. A Few Problems Solved - 4
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam-7, p.36
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, p.13
4. Ananda Vacanramt - 12
5. Spirituality and This Panoramic Universe
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, The Lord Should Always Be Praised
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, Serve the Supreme by kiirtanaa
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Everything Comes from Something
To: anandamargaglobalnewsletter@gmail.com
Subject: Way to Improve Sadhana
Date: 03 May 2013 15:45:08 -0000
== WAY TO IMPROVE SADHANA ==
Namaskar,
In the life of each and every sadhaka - in the life of each and every A'nanda Ma'rgii - there is an inherent desire to make sadhana better and better, by His grace. This is the common feeling amongst all bhaktas.
To that end, we follow Baba's various do's and don'ts. Before sadhana we do half-bath, find a quiet place, do sastaunga pranam, and then sing and dance kiirtana before sitting for meditation.
However in this ultra-modern and technological era, where machines and gadgets often dominate our lives, there is the tendency just to listen to kiirtana via a stereo etc - and not sing ourselves. This can happen. Because that reliance upon technology can enter into every sector of our existence, including our devotional practices like kiirtana. So while living in this modern era we should be aware.
Because Baba's guideline is that to get the real benefit of kiirtana then one must sing - loudly.
"To proclaim the glories of Parama purus'a, the Supreme Consciousness, in a loud voice is termed 'kiirtanaa'. The Sam'skrta root verb kirtt means to 'utter something loudly so that others may also hear it'; thus kiirtanaa means to proclaim the glories of the Lord loudly for all to hear." (1)
Here again Baba delivers the same message, in slightly different language.
"kiirtanaa means to utter good words loudly; not mentally, nor in a whisper, but loud enough for everyone to hear. It is never done secretly, but always openly...So devotees will openly sing praises to Parama Purus'a. kiirtanaa means, as I said a little earlier, to sing the Lord's glory in a loud voice." (2)
As Baba explains above, part and parcel of "doing kiirtana" means singing kiirtana - not just listening to kiirtana. And best is to dance as well. In this way one can get 100% benefit: A unique devotional feeling overcomes the entire existence and one feels a deep sense of peace within. This we have all surely experienced.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND SINGING
As we know there is an underlying science behind all our spiritual-cum-devotional practices. In this respect, Baba guides us that by singing kiirtana we are engaging more of the body's organs than if we just simply listen. By singing, then the mouth, throat, tongue, and vocal chords are also involved. This enhances one's ability to focus on the kiirtana.
"At the time of kiirtanaa, the vocal cord sings, the ears hear, and the hands and feet dance, and thus all the organs are kept preoccupied with the divine. They are not allowed to move wherever they want but are kept engaged. There is a popular Indian superstition that when ghosts are not kept busy they break the necks of their prey. Similarly, if the sensory and motor organs are not kept engaged in the attainment of the divine, they may lead one astray. kiirtanaa is therefore most beneficial as it keeps all the organs fully engaged in a spiritual pursuit." (3)
Thus by singing kiirtana the mind is more engaged in the devotional practice of kiirtana than if one is just listening. And best is to dance also. By this way, sadhana will be improved. That is Baba's teaching.
DOES NOT TAKE EXTRA TIME
Some may say or think that they do not have time to stop and sing kiirtana. But the reply is that singing kiirtana itself need not take any extra time. One can sing kiirtana while doing mundane duties such as when cleaning the kitchen or when bathing etc. So singing kiirtana itself can be done frequently throughout the day. It is a way to spiritualise all our daily activities and then when we sit for sadhana we will automatically feel the difference. So while driving or walking or when preparing lunch, we can sing kiirtana. Actually, if we look carefully, we will come across so many moments in our day where we can sing kiirtana in a loud voice - thereby enhancing devotional life.
NO SHYNESS OR COMPLEX
One key point is that one should consider whether they have a "beautiful voice" or not. Doing proper kiirtana is not a matter of singing in tune or in a particular pitch. That is the important characteristic of kiirtana. When anyone sings kiirtana, Parama Purusa only thinks about the sweetness and sincerity of the devotee's heart - not the tune or melody. So no one should suffer from any type of complex about whether they have a good voice or not. That is not the point.
Rather we should always remember that we are only singing to please Parama Purusa. For this we simply need to awaken that devotional feeling that is naturally inside.
Ultimately between Parama Purusa and the bhakta there is an inherent relation of love - that is based solely on the heart. With this feeling one should sing kiirtana.
HE IS ALWAYS WITH YOU
By Baba's grace singing and dancing kiirtana brings tremendous bliss in the life and enhances sadhana. We should always remember that no matter what circumstance we may find ourselves in, always He is listening to our kiirtana. This is His unfathomable blessing upon us.
"Everywhere you are with Parama Purus'a, and never in this universe, nowhere in this universe, are you alone. So you are never helpless. Wherever you may be, do your kiirtanaa, 'Ba'ba' Na'ma Kevalam.' He is with you. You are never alone. Your are never weak. You are never helpless." (4)
KIIRTANA PURIFIES THE MIND FOR SADHANA
In various discourses Baba says that when the mind is not concentrated in sadhana then one should do kiirtana wholeheartedly and then sadhana will be much better.
"Now the time has come to manifest the glory of kiirtanaa. And I also want to say further that those who wish to attain spiritual progress in their sádhaná will have to do more and more kiirtanaa. By kiirtanaa, the mind becomes pure, and with this pure mind, one can do sádhaná. If the mind is made pure even for five minutes by kiirtanaa, then if you do sádhaná for only five minutes, your sádhaná will be very good – you will surely attain spiritual progress. And because of your spiritual progress, you will come closer and closer to the Supreme Consciousness, you will come in contact with His psychic waves. And in that state you will be able to render still better service to human beings, animals and plants, by means of Neohumanism. May you all be blessed." (5)
"THEIR SELF-APPLAUSE IS RATHER BORING FOR OTHERS"
"There are many people who are very fond of praising themselves by telling everyone what wonderful things they have done, but, as mentioned in this sloka, kiirtanaa is not for one's own self but for Hari. Even though people are taught to do kiirtanaa for Hari, they still make the mistake of praising themselves too much. Sometimes their self-praise is so intense that others are obliged to say, “Please stop praising yourself so much.” They forget that their self-applause is rather boring for others. Human beings should realize that no one likes to hear the self-praise of others." (6)
"MANY PEOPLE ARE BECOMING LUNATICS"
"These days many psychic diseases have appeared as a result of this mental complexity. Many people are committing suicide; many people are becoming lunatics. The reason is that people are unable to adjust with the various types of complexities in life."
"The human brain is limited, and its nerve cells also have a limited capacity: they cannot tolerate these growing complexities. kiirtanaa gives bliss to Parama Puruśa in the mental sphere, and it also brings joy to human beings both individually and collectively; it leads them on the path of welfare and frees them from all these complexities. It removes all the diseases of the intellect and allows people to think easily and in the proper way."
"So intelligent people should do kiirtanaa as much as possible. When people, due to psychic complexities, cannot find the solution to their difficulties and they are at a loss what to do, if they sit together at any place and do kiirtanaa wholeheartedly for a while, their psychic complexities will be removed and they will easily seize upon the solution to their problems." (7)
THE TERM "BABA" MEANS THE NEAREST AND DEAREST ONE
"Just to concentrate your mind during your occult practice, you must dance and sing kiirtanaa, because kiirtanaa is the best purifying agent. It purifies the mind, and its meaning is also very good. Its meaning is, “O Father, I am to take your name and your name only.” Bábá means “the nearest and dearest one”." (8)
Namaskar,
in Him,
Brahmeshvar
REFERENCES:
1. A Few Problems Solved - 4
2. Ananda Vacanamrtam-7, p.36
3. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, p.13
4. Ananda Vacanramt - 12
5. Spirituality and This Panoramic Universe
6. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 8, The Lord Should Always Be Praised
7. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 22, Serve the Supreme by kiirtanaa
8. Ananda Vacanamrtam - 12, Everything Comes from Something
