Inner Listening by Ajahn Amaro

Inner Listening by Ajahn Amaro. Inner listening’ or ‘meditation on the inner sound’ or, in Sanskrit, ‘Nada Yoga’ are terms all refering to attending to what has been called ‘the sound of silence’, or ‘the nada-sound’. ‘Nada’ is the Sanskrit word for ‘sound’ as well as being the Spanish word for ‘nothing’ – an interesting and accidentally meaningful coincidence. Nada is a basic training tool for practices like vipassana and samatha.

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Inner Listening by Ajahn Amaro

 

What is Nada Yoga?

Nada Yoga is a spiritual practice within the realm of Indian spirituality, particularly in the context of Hinduism. It focuses on the use of sound, specifically music and vibrations, as a means to attain spiritual enlightenment and self-realization. The term “nada” translates to “sound” or “vibration,” and “yoga” refers to the union or connection with the divine or higher self.

Nada Yoga explores the idea that sound is not just a physical phenomenon, but also a manifestation of the divine cosmic energy or consciousness. It teaches that the entire universe is made up of vibrations and that different sounds can profoundly impact the mind, body, and spirit. By consciously engaging with sound, practitioners aim to reach higher states of consciousness, transcend the limitations of the ego, and experience a sense of unity with the universe.

Key elements of Nada Yoga include:

1. Listening and Inner Awareness: Nada Yoga begins with active and focused listening. Practitioners listen to both external sounds and the internal sounds of their own bodies, such as the heartbeat, breath, and subtle inner vibrations. This heightened awareness of sound helps to quiet the mind and turn the attention inward.

2. Mantras and Chants: Chanting mantras and sacred sounds is a common practice in Nada Yoga. Mantras are specific combinations of syllables or words with deep spiritual significance. Chanting these mantras repetitively is believed to create a resonance that harmonizes the practitioner’s energy with the cosmic vibrations.

3. Music and Ragas: Music is an integral part of Nada Yoga. Ragas, which are specific musical modes or melodic scales, are believed to have a unique impact on the body, mind, and emotions. By playing or listening to specific ragas, practitioners aim to evoke specific emotional and spiritual states.

4. Sound Meditation: Sound meditation involves focusing on a specific sound, such as the repetition of a mantra or the sound of a singing bowl, to quiet the mind and enter a meditative state. The vibrations produced by the sound help to calm the mind and facilitate a deeper connection with the inner self.

5. Awareness of Inner Sounds: Nada Yoga teaches that there are subtle inner sounds that can be heard during deep meditation. These sounds, often described as “anahata sounds,” are not produced by external sources but arise spontaneously from within. They are considered to be a manifestation of the divine and a sign of spiritual progress.

6. Union with Cosmic Sound: The ultimate goal of Nada Yoga is to merge the individual consciousness with the universal cosmic sound or the “unstruck sound” (anahata nada). This is believed to lead to a state of profound bliss, self-realization, and spiritual liberation.

Nada Yoga is practiced in various forms, and it’s often intertwined with other yogic practices such as Bhakti Yoga (the path of devotion) and Jnana Yoga (the path of knowledge). The practice requires discipline, regularity, and a deep understanding of the connection between sound, consciousness, and the divine.

 

An interview with Ajahn Amaro