Joshu:

"blankness is not nothingness"

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Swami Vivekananda made similar comments about meditating with music...that he felt it was annoying because it rode the upanis outside of his control.

At the same time, he was a profound singer and used to perform spiritual songs as part of worship. So, I guess each has its place. For certain types of meditative practice, it may interfere. However, it can be a valid and important part of the spiritual life.

Sri Ramakrishna was told by a passing ascetic, about the notes of a flute...that even one pure musical note could take an advanced seeker into samadhi. So, there is some kind of spiritual practice which can utilize music to climb to great heights.

I guess music takes us to the realm of consciousness from which it is created. But it is up to our spiritual will whether we can stay at that height. For a moment, I might feel the purity of the consciousness of Beethoven or Mozart, but I might not have the height to stay there...and then, I guess, the fall from that height would represent loss and be annoying.

But I find it is an important reminder. If I am not in the consciousness that created Gregorian Chant, I can still listen to it and get a taste of that realm. I find that inspiring and centering and very hopeful. And I can then utilize that hope and inspiration to work harder at my meditation practice...with or without music in the background.

Sure, I guess it is like a crutch and better to meditate well without it. But I think it is a little too extreme to exclude it entirely...like Thomas Merton says about too much austerity..."makes a stone of the heart."

And then, of course, the mind, third eye and seventh chakra can sometimes take emotions as an encumbrance...and then we face the dangerous temptation rejecting real spirituality, of taking meditation into a realm of occult science, devoid of true spirituality. Then, as we say here in Jersey...."den...you iz fuc*ed.." - walking away from God and into a realm of power for the sake of ego-worship.

Namaste Ralph,
I feel the same,
putting it a slightly different way - either way its ego trying to make ego sleep
and one of the ways of doing that, is probably to let go of feelings, emotions and all layers created by ego.
At this point , we give up the very need to have any thoughts in our mind. This is when the mind gets
"Locked" , where the mind is forever at rest focused on "nothingness" . The individual forgets his individuality, his personality.
Till this lock is found, probably any ambient disturbance could bring thoughts/emotions.

I guess, as Austin mentioned, washing your dishes or doing stuff which needs little or no thoughts acts somewhat like japa. Jogging infact is like Japa. The mind is focussed on minimal things and doing those in a repititive fashion. I felt this is a very good starting point to remove other mundane thoughts from the mind an exercise to purify the mind through total presence in the present "cloud", the mind still goes to and fro , but to a lot less extent . But meditation or no-thought, helps lock the mind in the "Now" , there is no "deed" to be done. no thought to thought, just presence. Probably this is the next stage of Japa or Tai chi or the chore which helps me relax??

I agree Austin. I do a variety of meditations; many walking at the beach or in my neighborhood. I find that being aware of things around me tunes me into the present moment. Birds, dogs, cars, the waves; all these things have a sound resonance. As I focus on color with my eyes, I focus on the qualities of sound as well. My meditation practice is not only to quiet my being but to attune it to each nuance of my present moment.

Sound used to irritate me in my life. Now I feel it is a reminder of life happening all around me. It is the present moment alive and in motion.

I agree with you Austin. For me a good purpose of meditation is to bring the idea of it from silent sitting to everyday life. For example on the job while sweeping a floor or cleaning a restroom, I can focus more upon the job itself and less on external stimuli, such as the time, and that can help the day to go much faster.

There are many ways to meditate as stated in books and such, but i believe one needs a true Guru/master who has perfected the meditation techniques and is capable of empowering/initiating someone. I've met a Guru.....YOGA JNANA SITTHAR OM SRI RAJAYOGA GURU.

His Divine Grace is A sitthar on earth right now who is helping common people like us by initiating/ empowering us.Sitthars are capable of doing absolutely anything. These beings are able to transform themselves into a mountain/ change into an atom/ materialise things from thin air/ walk on water etc - anything at all!

His Divine Grace (HDG) Yoga Jnana Sitthar Om Sri Rajayoga Guru had an inherent thirst to realise God from a very young age. Over the early years HDG exhibited Divine Powers and special abilities obtained through various Divine experiences.

Realising the necessity of a Guru to progress spiritually, HDG searched for a genuine Guru. But this was an arduous task as the gurus made use of HDG special abilities for their own benefit. In this way, the false gurus got fame and good name at the expense of our Guru.

Being very disheartened, HDG started to pray steadfastly alone. Subsequently, this led to amazing meetings with true Gurus who passed on japas and mantras of God realisation to HDG.

HDG Yoga Jnana Sitthar Om Sri Rajayoga spent over twenty seven years researching fully understanding the the secrets of Rajayoga. By japas, penances and prayers, our Guru obtained many Divine Visions. HDG wanted all people to obtain the benefits of Yogic Power, Initially, Now, as arranged by the disciples, HDG is empowering everyone with the Yoga Power. Now, our Guru, fondly known as Dato Seri Guruji, has more than a hundred thousand disciples from Malaysia and all over the world, who are living a healthy, successful and protected life

His Divine Grace Yoga Jnana Sitthar Om Sri Rajayoga Guru exhibits true leadership by example, by virtue of being a highly attained spiritual master as well as being a scientist, having obtained a Philosophical Doctorate in Metaphysics and Parapsychology. His Divine Grace has also been acknowledged as the “Mahaguru of Malaysia” in the highly acclaimed book “Malaysia’s Who’s Who” (Year 2007 Volume 1 page 506). Hence, His Divine Grace is very successful in all aspects, be it spirituality, education, wealth or family life. His Divine Grace is a living example of how one can be successful simultaneously both in worldly and spiritual life using the Divine Power called Yogasakhti. His Divine Grace is indeed a great inspiration for all disciples to progress and become great achievers in life.

Next Yoga Sakthi event is on the 23/08/2009 in Putrajaya International Convention Centre(MALAYSIA).For further info please call me at 60162664499 or mail me at rvin6@hotmail.com.
There are also courses conducted in LONDON.
You can also visit www.rpt.com.my and www.rpt-london.biz for additional info.

YOGA JNANA SITTHAR OM SRI RAJAYOGA GURU SARANAM