Newsletter Feb 7, 2007

Synopsis of Last Week Classes

Friday - Raja Yoga Class - Feb 2

Aphorisms: 4: 6-8
Of all the states of the mind, the desireless mind alone is capable of expressing the freedom of the Purusha. How can one become desireless? The 6th aphorism of this chapter provides the answer: through meditation (that leads to Samadhi). The chemicals or the austerities can bring various so-called miraculous powers but not the desireless-ness of the mind; that comes through meditation alone. Without becoming desireless, there is no freedom. When mind becomes free from desires, the goal is reached. Then there is no such a thing as good or bad action for such person; for he does not incur any Karma from it. The good actions spontaneously get done by him because of the unselfishness; but really, as far as his awareness goes, there is nothing bad or good. But for all others who are yet to reach the goal, the actions are of three types: good, bad & mixed. Just as for the one who has driven properly and has now reached the destination, there is no right or wrong direction but for those who are still on the way, there is right or wrong.
Environment plays an important role in manifestation of various desires. Holy company is absolutely necessary for the manifestation of the desire for yoga.

Significance of OM - Swami Yogatmananda - Feb 4, 2007
Although bound by finite, we always aspire for infinite which is beyond all relatives and hence a symbol is necessary which has a connection to the infinite and yet we can hold onto it. Amongst Hindus, Jains and Buddhist, OM is the supreme symbol of God or infinity. Sound of OM encompasses all sounds that can be produced by human vocal system. Sound originates at throat and tongue modulates the blown-out air by touching various points in oral cavity. The first syllable 'a', the last ending sound is 'm' and the process in between when the air touches the whole oral cavity is 'u'. So 'a', 'u', 'm' comprise all sound and when pronounced together becomes 'OM '. Thus OM symbolizes all sounds; means - all words; means - all things and hence the most appropriate symbol of infinity which pervades everything.
In Kathopnishad, Yama (the teacher), tells Nachiketa (the student) that everything you cherish in life is 'OM '. OM is the staircase in relative existence to reach the absolute existence and hence every sacred mantra in Hindus and Buddhists, begins with OM. As said in the book of John, everything is the creation of Word. One sound manifests as many sounds without really becoming many. In Mandukya Upanishad, OM is called The Akshara (= which does not change). OM has four aspects which encompass both absolute and relative. 'a' relates to waking state and also to creation, 'u' relates to dream state and also to preservation, 'm' relates to deep sleep state and also to destruction. The Self remains same in all these three states. Our real nature is beyond all of them, which is the 4th aspect - amaatra (unuttered) - which is beyond the three states and appears in ignorance as the three states. According to Bhagvad Gita, acts such as sacrifice, gift or austerity should begin with the utterance of OM. Mundaka Upanishad describe spiritual practice beautifully with the following imagery: OM is the bow, individual soul is the arrow and Brahman is the target. By focusing all faculties towards the target, hold the bow of OM and shoot the arrow (soul) so that it becomes one with the Brahman. Sri Ramakrishna emphasizes the importance of OM saying that all Vedas merge in Gayatri (spiritual practice) and Gayatri in OM.