Om – The Sacred Syllable
0 Comments Published by Madhukar Organisation on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 at 11:55 AM.
I worship Om. I greet Om. I bow to Om. I surrender to Om.
Om is the holy syllable. Om is the mystic letter. Om is the immortal Akshara. The world rests in Om. In Om we live and move. In Om we rest. In Om we find what we were seeking for.
Om is the symbol of Brahman. Om is the word of power. Om is the life of all lifes. Om is the soul of all souls.
Om truly is Brahman. Om is Satchidananda. Om is infinity. Om is eternity. Om is immortality. Om is the source of all. Om is the womb of all Vedic. Om is the basis of all languages. All Trinities merge in Om. All sounds arise from Om. All things exist in Om.
Om is the supreme mantra. Om is Soham. Om is Om Tat Sat. Om is a lamp on your feet and a light on your path.
Sound – the first manifestation of the Absolute.
Om is Nada Brahman. Nada is sound. Sound is vibration. Om is the first sound-vibration. Sound is the first manifestation of the Absolute.
We do not know anything about the nature of the Absolute except that It is existing. In their immense goodness the Holy Scriptures tried to tell us everything about creation, their evolvement out of the Absolute. They say: “Brahman was one and non-dualistic”. It thought: ‘Ekoham Bahu Shyam’. That caused a vibration, which finally became sound, and this sound was Om from which all further manifestations arise.
Therefore sound in fact is the apprehensible base for the entire creation. In Its transcendental aspect Brahman is past comprehension. Only the sound comes closest to It and the sound can be named Apara Brahman.
Om – The basis of all sounds
All things are named through sounds, and all sounds merge in Omkara. All languages and words end in one single sound - “Om”.
The humming of the bees, the lovely song of the nightingale, the seven music notes, the sound of the Mridanga and the timbal, the lute and the flute, the roaring of the lion, the singing of the beloved, the whinnying of the horses, the hissing of the cobra, the groaning of sick people, the weeping of babies, the clapping of the audience, when the speaker is making a speech – all this is nothing else but emanations of Omkara.
The sound coming from the flowing of the Ganges, the sound from afar and the noise of the bustle at a market, the sound rising from starting the flywheel in a machine, the noise of the rain – all of that is alone only Om.
Om is the basis of all sounds. Om consists of three letters, A, U and M. A, U and M cover the entire scale.
Larynx and palate are the soundboards. When A is spoken, no part of the tongue or palate is touched. When U is spoken, the sound rolls from the beginning until the end of the soundboard in the mouth.
M is the last sound, created by closing both lips. Therefore all sounds are united in Om. All languages rise from Om.
The essence of the four Vedic is Om alone. Who is chanting or repeating Om is in fact repeating the Holy Scriptures of the whole world. Om is the source and the womb of all religions and scriptures. Om, Amen and Ahmin are one and the same. They embody the Truth or Brahman, the One Existence. There is no worship without Om.
Om stands for all triple entities.
Om is everything. Om is your true name. Om covers all triple experiences of the human being. Om stands for the perceivable worlds. This universe of the senses has been projected out of Om. The world exists in Om and dissolves in Om. A stands for the physical level; U stands for the mental level and the astral levels, the world of the spirits, all heavens; M stands for the state of deep sleep, all that, which is unknown to you in the awakening state and which is beyond the reach of mind. Om stands for everything. Om is the basis of your life, your thoughts and your intelligence.
Each triple entity is represented in Om, just as Brahma – Vishnu – Shiva, past – present – future, birth – life – death, creation – endurance – destruction, being awake – dreaming – deep sleep, existence – unexistence – evolvement, and so on.
All triple connections are represented in Om, just as Saraswati – Lakshmi – Durga, Father – Son – Holy Ghost, Rajas – Sattwa – Tamas, body – mind – soul, Sat – Chid – Ananda, omniscience – omnipotence – omnipresence, coarse-substantial – fine-substantial – causal.
A is Brahman. M is Maya. U is the cooperation of both.
Om also stands for the Tat Twam Asi Mahavakya. A is Jiva. M is Ishwara. U conjoins and shows the Oneness of Jiva and Ishwara, Brahman.
Om is very, very important. It must be adored. One should sing it loudly. One should mentally repeat it, being aware of its meaning and with Bhava. One should meditate on it.
The power of chanting Om
A loud sound arises when singing Om. Om is repeated with a loud sound with three and a half matra. The Pranava sound is created in the navel with the Om sound and moves very slowly to the Brahmarandhra at the cortex with the closure sound M. The vibration of M is kept for some time.
Om also can be chanted with eighteen matras. That is a very, very long singing. It lasts long. The Pranava is Dirgha.
Expressing the holy syllable Om has arrested the attention of all Europeans dealing with studies regarding the East. The vibrations caused by this word are so strong that they can make the biggest building collapse when using them for a longer time. This seems to be hard to believe as long as the experience has not been made. Once trying it, it is easy to understand how true and absolutely right the mentioned statement can be. I have examined the power of this vibrations and I can believe without doubt that the effect would be as mentioned.
The singing of Om has a certain influence on the disciple if expressed according to the letters. Expressed in the right way it raises and transforms each atom in the physical body, builds up new vibrations and states, and wakes up the sleeping power of the body.
Singing Om banishes all worldly thoughts and removes any distraction. It is very strong. The Pancha Koshas vibrate rhythmically when Om is sung. Singing Om gives new strength to the body. Five people can sit in a circle and choral singing Om. It will be wonderful and inspiring. All can immediately feel new life.
If you are depressed then sing Om 50 times. This will fill you up with new power and strength. Singing Om is a strong stimulation. One has nothing to pay for the doctor. When you are singing Om feel that you are the pure all-pervading light and consciousness.
The one who sings Om will get a strong beautiful voice. Ekagrata of mind is quickly coming when singing Om. When you are going for a walk in the mornings and in the evenings you wonderfully can sing Om. Sing Om in a moonlighted night. Sing Om walking along the shore of the ocean or of a river. You also can wonderfully sing Om. The rhythmical expression of Om brightens the mind and makes it one-pointed, and it brings the spiritual prerequisites to guarantee Self-realization.
The greatest of all mantras
Pranava or Om is the greatest of all mantras. It brings direct liberation. All mantras start with Om. Om is the life or the soul of all mantras. It precedes Panchakshari and Ashtakshari. Each hymn starts with Om. Each Upanishad starts with Om. The Gayatri starts with Om. The singing of Om precedes the sacrifices to the different Gods. Om precedes the Archanas, which are Ashtottari, Trishati and Sahasranama. Nobody can really describe the immensity of Omkara. Also Parvati, Adishesha and big Sages were unable to express the grandioseness of Om. Of such a power, Mahima, is Om.
What the Shri Ram Mantra means to the Vairagi from Ayodhya, what Hrim means to a tantric from Bengalen, and what the Gayatri is for the Brahman from Madras, that is Om or Pranava for a Vedantic or Sannyasin from Rishikesh.
In the Chhandogya Upanishad Om is also called Omkara, Ekakshara or Udgitha. All men and women who focus their mind honestly on Brahman, who have mental Sannyasa and vedantic Samskara and to whom Vedanta is truly tasteful, they can repeat this mantra.
The one who is making daily Om Japa will develop tremendous strength. He will have a shining in the eyes and in the face.
Meditation on Om
Set up a presentment of Om in front of you in your meditation room. Concentrate on this picture. Also make Tratak with open eyes, permanently gazing without a movement of the eyelids untill the eyes strongly flow with tears. Connect the imagination of infinity, eternity, immortality and so on, when you think of Om.
Beginners of the Jnana Yoga path first should look at Om with open eyes for about three months. Then they should imagine Om with closed eyes. Imaging Om is calling up a clear mental picture of Om with closed eyes. They should mentally repeat Om with Bhava and should be aware of its meaning and also let their ears hear the sound, so that they are not going external for hearing other sounds.
Meditate on Om. Retreat to your meditation room. Sit in Padma-, Siddha- or Sukhasana. Close the eyes. Have all muscles and nerves totally relaxed. Concentrate your view on Trikuti, the spot between the eyebrows. Still the mind that is thinking of things, the conscious mind. Repeat Om mentally with Shuddha Bhavana or Brahma Bhavana.
This Bhavana is indispensable. You have to repeat Om with the Bhava or the feeling that you are the infinite, all-pervading pure intelligence. Repeating Om just like a gramophone or a parrot will not lead to the desired results.
When you think of Om you have to think of Brahman, of that what the symbol means. The connection with Om is becoming One with what is meant. Try to identify with the most blissful Self when meditating on Om.
Always carry the meaning of Om in your heart. Feel Om. Feel that you are the all-pervading infinite light. Feel that you are the pure, perfect, allknowing and eternally free Brahman. Feel that you are absolute consciousness. Feel that you are infinite unchangable Being. Each atom, each molecule, each nerve and each vein and artery must strongly vibrate with these thoughts. Repeating Om only with the lips will not be of big use. It must happen with heart, head and soul. Your entire soul must feel that you are the subtle, all-pervading intelligence. This feeling has to be kept up twenty-four hours.
Make a room turn into a forest. Give up the thought that you are not Brahman. Continue practicing, steadily, with interest, trust, ardency, perseverance and enthusiasm. Stay in the company of kindred spirits and eat sattvic food like milk, cream-cheese, fruits, nuts, Mung-ki-dal, rice, bread. Practice each morning for three hours from 4.00 until 7.00 o’clock and three hours in the evening from 7.00 until 10.00 o’clock. Keep the feeling of Brahman also during work. In three to four years you must have success. You will rest in your Swarupa, in your Shuddha Sat-Chid-Ananda state. Nastyatra Samsayah: no doubt about this.
Always think of Om
Think of Om. Think Soham, Om Soham, Shivoham, Aham Brahma Asmi, Analhaq. There is only one Truth. These mantras remind you to be One with the Supreme Soul. They are Mahavakyas, big sentences out of the Upanishad. They make this little false ego bust, this unreal “I” in a breezy nothingness.
Om is your birthright. It is the common heritage of all. It is the common property of all human beings in the world. It is the word of command. It brings inspiration and intuition. It upraises mind in spiritual heights of unspeakable shininess and unspeakable glory.
Om is your spiritual nourishment. Om is your spiritual restorative and vitamin. It is full of divine powers. It is your constant companion. It is your savior. It is your joy and your life. Live in it day and night. Merge into it.
Live in Om. Meditate on Om. Breathe Om in and out. Remain peacefully in Om. Let it be your place of refuge.
Sing Om rhythmically. Sing Om loudly. Roar strongly Om. Repeat Om mentally. Get your strength from Om. Take inspiration from Om. Take energy from Om. Take bliss from Om. All desires will vanish. You will attain Self-realization.
Trust in Om. Think about Om. Concentrate on Om. Meditate on Om. Recognize this holy syllable Om. You will recognize everything. You will attain supreme knowledge.
The holy word Om is the bow. Mind is the arrow. Brahman is the aim. Somebody whose thoughts are concentrated will hit it. Then he will hit the target. His being will become the being of Brahman. Just as chunks of ice become one with the water in the bucket, so he will become one with Brahman.
From Self to Self or my path to Madhukar
0 Comments Published by Madhukar Organisation on Wednesday, September 19, 2007 at 5:31 AM.
Love really is a strange word. It is used for many irrelevantly things, like love for food, the love for things or love for activities. When we are strongly attracted to somebody then we are in love with him or her.Now a BeingInLove happened to myself, which has nothing to do with one or the other. I fell in love with a man. I have experienced the BeingInLove, beating of the heart, sweaty hands and the continues thinking of somebody with whom I barely spoke a couple of private words. And, let me tell you, this man as well as I prefer the female sex.
The man is called Madhukar and my love lighted on him, but aims at the Self that this man continuously and always indicates. Basically I fell in love with my SELF.
Well, do we start at the beginning? This year (2007) I traveled for the fourth time in a row to Baden-Baden to the Rainbow-Spirit-Festival. Each year I visited the meetings with Madhukar and there I felt inner (and often also outer) cheeriness and silence. Last year (2006) I even was enthused that Madhukar in 2007 moved on the first place of my internal Rainbow ranking list. After the meeting on Whit Monday I heard a voice in my head telling me that the time has come for me to bow to him. So I got into the line and soon I sat in front of him and our eyes met ….
Already one day later it happed in an astonishing and wonderful way that I sat with him in the retreat. There I fell in love ….. and this love grows deeper and deeper and more intimate after each meeting, and in me peace and silence are moving in.
The Mozart Effect
1 Comments Published by Madhukar Organisation on Tuesday, September 18, 2007 at 5:45 AM.
and the magic of music
The genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and the healing power of his music. On January 27 he would have become 250 years old. Would have? In the entire culture of our world he seems to be livelier than ever before. Elvis is alive, Wolfgang Amadeus more than ever! No musician before Elvis has been that much elevated up to a pop-icon than the pale, lankly Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus (“Amadé”) Mozart (27.1.1756 until 5.12.1791).
At the age of eight, being an infant prodigy, he filled half Europe with enthusiasm playing the piano. At the age of fourteen he was celebrated as a highly gifted composer who seems to have his genial ideas directly from heaven.
He died impoverished, grave and bones still are not clearly identified. In the Mozart year 2006 everything what can be sold around his name is placed on the market, from candy, clothes and trashy souvenirs to thousands of cultural and media events, opera performances, concerts, symposiums, stage plays – focal points of the happening are cities which have to do with Mozart’s story, like Salzburg, Vienna, Augsburg, Paris, London, Prague.
Life and Work
Mozart’s life, his personality and also his music are no closed book. All of that is well delved into. There are so many public available documents, correspondence, newspaper cutups, statements of contemporaries - actually that should result in a clear, unbroken picture. But until today the conceptions of the researchers engaged into Mozart widely diverge. Alone about the cause of his early death there are 200 different theories. The issue here should be the healing effect of his music. So is it important whether Mozart himself lived healthy and what caused his death? Devoutly catholic or freemason, gambler or womanizer – is that important in view of the quality of the music? Yes and no. Yes, because everything is connected with each other. Each “Mozart impacts with a power others do not have” (A. Tomatis) note, which Mozart wrote, is inevitably conditioned also by his momentarily psychical constitution, his entire life situation, the culture of his time etc. No, because we will never be able to entirely understand the over-all context and therefore depend on speculations. And no because in a way as it is with no other famous composer, Mozart’s music is running on its very own rail besides or above his real life with all its emotional heights and depths. He created enthralling works like „Missa solemnis“ (KV 337) in verifiable emotional and social downs, and deeply serious, abysmal works like the symphony in G minor (KV 183) without any signs of crises on the biographical level.
The Secret of Music
How can somebody at the age of eleven have already written 50 outstanding music works, thereunder symphonies, concerts, sonatas and spiritual works? At that time and still today this is a sensation and an enigma. And how easygoing ingeniously Mozart outflanked the many at that time much more famous colleagues, for example the piano virtuoso Muzio Clementioder or the composer Antonio Salieri. Mozart was outshining them all by far! In the movie “Amadeus” from Milos Forman this is shown in a very rousing way. One wants to jump up and shout: “Bravos Amadeus!” What makes his music so exceptional? What makes it different from other works of his epoch, the classical period with its clear rules for form and harmony of compositions, where the romantic idea of the genius was not known yet? “Actually, Mozart has not invented anything new anywhere” is the opinion of musicologist Ulrich Konrad. “For that he found astonishing combinations within the usual and used them in such a fitting way that for this time it sounds unique, and not seldom egregiously.” Mozart described his ideal simply like this: “The middle-thing – the truth in all things.” This means nothing less than finding the middle of everything. Equalization, harmony, beauty.
Music and Health
Mozart himself probably did not think of a “healing effect” of his music. The combination of music and health was not popular at this time – in relation to the entire cultural history more an exception. Mostly from the shamans of primeval times to the old advanced civilisations in China, India, Egypt, Greece or America until the Middle Ages music mainly was meant to serve health and social weal or religion. Entertainment and esthetic values came last. Mozart composed music by order of aristocracies. The music should serve their prestige, it should entertain them or make them feel godly-loyal. Often he composed totally against the ideas of his orderer, but his success proved that he was right. Until today the style epochs in Europe change faster and faster: romanticism, impressionism, expressionism and modernity. Now we came up to a point again where music (and art in general) increasingly is rated – and bought - by its value for our health and our inner and social well-being. Lo and behold: Mozart is one in first rank! The crime rate sinks in underground railways playing Mozart music. In hospitals his compositions relieve pain, reduce fear and stress and create a friendlier atmosphere and a heartier relationship between staff and patients. Most astonishing might be the effect of his music on the brain. The nerve cells get activated to link new connections. Brain researchers call this “plasticity”. It means an increased learning ability and brainpower. According to this the one who is listening to Mozart developes more intelligence. And this concerns all human stages of development, from the embryo until old age. All of these are new scientific findings. Most of them are due to the researches of one man.
The Tomatis-Method
Alfred Tomatis (1920-2001), doctor for otorhinolaryngology (throat, nose, ears) and surgeon, was one of the most innovative and most effective researchers of hearing. With his method worldwide hundreds of Tomatis-Institutes treat today an astonishing large field of problems which all have to do with disorders of hearing and its connected brain regions. During one of the basis methods the “patient” hears music through special headphones where deep frequencies are filtered out. According to Tomatis especially high frequencies would activate the brain, activate hidden, covered potentials and should even clear embryonic traumas. And doing so we do not sense subconsciously but being totally awake and “active”: We listen! How did Tomatis hit on this method? By the amazing discovery that already the embryo in the womb can hear. More than fifty years ago this was an outrageous statement among experts. At that time it was proceeded from the assumption that we can hear only through our ears. The ear takes in sound waves from the air and processes them in the inner ear. But Tomatis could prove that we also hear a considerable part through the vibrations of the bones. When the today worldfamous Gérard Dépardieu was a young actor he was in despair of his stumbling, bumpy voice and lack of concentration. Therefore he went to Tomatis who was already famous at that time. Soon it was detected that Dépardieu’s right ear could only hear very undifferentiated and distorted (much too loud). This hearing impairment, which was also caused by an unhappy childhood in a difficult family background, had affected his voice and also his nerves. “Do I need surgery, do I have to take medicine?” “Nothing like this” Tomatis smiled. “Only listening to Mozart!” After a couple of months hearing training his problems were gone. Dépardieu spoke free and fluently, with a clear and calm voice, self-confident and likeable at the same time.
The Mozart Effect
End of the nineties the book “The Mozart Effect” (German book title: “Die Heilkraft der Musik” - literally: the healing power of music) of the composer and music psychologist Don Campbell became a bestseller in the USA. The book is based on the findings of Alfred Tomatis and caused a real barrage of new foundations of associations and institutes. Already in the eighties Prof. Joachim-Ernst Berendt was publishing the work of Tomatis in Germany with books like “Nada Brahma”.
Tomatis certifies Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s music the best therapy successes, whether in Tokyo, Cape Town or Amazon. Mozart would „impact with a power others do not have. He has a liberating, stimulative and, I even want to say: healthful effect, which makes him the superlative of the superlatives. His efficiency exceeds by far what we find at his predecessors … contemporaries or successors.” Many scientists who are working in sound research, hearing psychology, neurology etc. confirm that some characteristics of Mozart’s music have a stimulating effect on our intelligence and creativity and the corresponding brain regions: The playful flowing melodies, the clear structure of the form or the prefered use of bright sounds (flutes, violins) – but above all the rhythmical variability of Mozart’s music would be responsible for this. An amazing effect – not only of the music of Mozart – on the brain is the stimulation of many new contacts between the neurons. These synapses build up an enormous network in the brain. Concretely this means for us: higher brainpower, increased learning ability, increased ability of decision-making, more intuitive powers, alertness and creativity. The American psychologist and composer Joshua Leeds, one of the developer of “The Listening Program” gets to the heart of it: For the nervous system sound is just as important as food for the body. Frances H. Rauscher and his team of the university California, Irvine, found in a study that 36 participants of a spatial IQ test could improve by several points after 10 minutes listening to Mozart’s D major sonata for two pianos (KV 448). That was in 1993 and overnight it set off the “Mozart-Effect”-boom. The theoretical physicist Gordon Shaw attended the experiment and he said: “Mozart music can ‘warm up’ the brain. We assume that differentiated music can facilitate complex mental processes as they are needed doing hard mental work like in mathematics or playing chess.” In the meantime Prof. Dr. Hans-Ulrich Balzer, researcher on the Salzburg University Mozarteum, proved by chrono-biological analyses that listening to Mozart’s music leads to an astonishing quick synchronization with body-own rhythms. As the steering of the rhythms happens through processes taking place in the brain Balzer’s observations are also going in line with the discovery of Wolf Singer, the famous German brain researcher, who found out that the brain is working in a rhythmical tact and operates like an orchestra. It does not matter whether Mozart had pimples or nervous convulsions, his music helps our potential, our mental-emotional development – and this verifiable better than for example loud rock music. Even plants grow faster and turn towards the loudspeaker when Mozart music is played. When “Heavy Metall” music is played they turn away. But we are no plants. Also aggressive, loud music can be used for therapeutically reasons. And: music has many levels. One of them concerns our health. Esthetics and realization are other regions. They are connected with each other, but they also should be differenced. Who is listening to Mozart or to other music only in terms of health reasons is blinding out a lot. “Music must always continue to be music” Mozart said. It stands for itself as an own enigma with an inexhaustible potential.
Author: Christian Salvesen
Source: www.visionen.com
1 Responses to “The Mozart Effect”
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MJLW
November 6, 2007 1:53 AM
I would like to start off by thanking you for writing this blog. I found it extremely interesting and informative. I especially found the section that solely focuses on The Mozart Effect to be intriguing. I have done much research in the past on this phenomenon, especially with its relation to children and the growing brain, and have always been interested in the relationship between music and cognition. As a musician who started on the piano and continued on to singing, I have always questioned whether my musical training had any affect on other aspects of my learning. I therefore found it interesting when you said that the Mozart Effect could foster “higher brainpower, increased learning ability, increased ability of decision-making, more intuitive powers, alertness and creativity.” In doing my research on this phenomenon, I came across an aspect of interest that could further support and validate your statement. I found that there are three ways of learning: enactive, iconic, and symbolic. Enactive learning involves action and manipulation, iconic involves imagery and perceptual organization, and symbolic involves words and other symbols. The enactive and iconic modes of cognition are how young children know music. Therefore, learning and listening to music at a young age can enhance a child’s cognitive growth. This enhancement leads to many things, including increased visualization, learning abilities, and reading abilities.
By adding to a child’s cognitive growth, music helps motor and rhythmic development and helps develops language and vocal skills. Over specialized education can be harmful to a student because it dispenses information but does not foster understanding. In order to see long-term effects of learning, multiple areas of the brain must be working. Music is made up of rhythm, which has pulse, beat, tempo, and meter. Listening to rhythms helps to stimulate all parts of the brain. Eurhythmics, which is education in rhythm, involves multiple areas of the brain in challenging and creative ways. Actively listening to music can help long-term learning, and listening to classical music, especially, will sharpen a student’s thinking and long-term learning. Music causes the entire brain to work rather than just one side of the brain. Therefore, practicing music before doing homework or school work of any kind can help the work go faster, be easier, and can actually help the student to remember her work for a longer period of time.
Finally, music can help improve a student’s reading abilities. There is a noticeable relationship between reading and understanding pitch. Pitch actually helps in word identification. Music education improves pitch discrimination, which helps reading. Also, music helps reading because it helps the student to visually recognize words and helps to associate the visual words with her spoken sounds.
After concluding my research, I found that The Mozart Effect is actually a true phenomenon that can help in the growth of a young child. Therefore, I am delighted to see that others are seriously considering this phenomenon to be of importance. Thank you again for your research and insight into the subject.
Madhukar on MySpace!
0 Comments Published by Madhukar Organisation on Saturday, September 15, 2007 at 2:49 PM.
Dear Community,Madhukar also has a MySpace page now! For those who do not know what this is the following Wikipedia definition might help:
My Space, („my room/place“) is a multi-lingual website which is financed by advertising and enables the users to set up free of charge user profiles with photos, videos, blogs, groups etc. MySpace is considered to be the most known supporter of a website-implemented social network (Web 2.0)
So, who wants to can look at it using the following link: www.myspace.com/enterfreedom
Much fun with it!
Your Madhukar Organization
Labels: MySpace
Research scientists let people go out of their own body.
0 Comments Published by Madhukar Organisation on at 2:31 PM.
When the eyes leave the body, is the Self going with them? With this question – which seems to be peculiar at first sight - the Swedish psychologist Henrik Ehrsson is engaged in research with since his scholastics. Of course this game of mind is unrealistic. But again and again people tell of the feeling to be outside of their own body: patients with neurological diseases or apoplectic strokes. Also persons who have been clinically dead for a short period of time tell sometimes of so-called near-death experiences and their out-of-body experiences. Up to ten percent of the population experience at least one time in their life an “out-of-body experience” (OBE), how this misperception is called by experts.Now researchers report in even two articles for the science magazine “Science” (Bd.317), how they caused similar illusions with people being in good health – without any mystical tomtom. Video cameras and 3D-glasses were enough.
Ehrsson, who is researching at the University College in London and at the well-known Karolinska-Institut in Stockholm, was filming his test persons from a distance of approximately two meters behind their back. He transmitted the pictures in real-time on video-glasses in front of the eyes of the test persons. While doing so, the right and the left eye received slightly different views, which created the spatial impression that the person would watch the own body from behind.
Then the scientist touched the chest of the test person with two plastic pins – out of the view of the camera – and at the same time that spot in the room where the chest of the virtual body was located. That was enough: The test persons believed that they really were sitting behind their own body watching it from there. “Many of them giggled and said ‘Wow, how crazy!’ Ehrsson reports.
A hammer hitting the virtual body – real stress
In a second experiment Ehrsson used more rustic methods. With a hammer he was beating on the virtual bodies of the test persons – and immediately the electrodes were recording stress on their real skin. “We feel that our I is located where our eyes are” says Ehrsson. The illusion would not be limited to sitting or standing, Ehrsson explains to SPIELGEL ONLINE.
The London experiment, a teaching of perfect illusion?
That is not the point, is the opinion of a German-Swiss researchers group, who carried out similar experiments at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne. In the experimental set up of the neuro-scientist Olaf Blanke and the philosopher Thomas Metzinger, Mainz, the test persons also were given abstract views by camera and video-glasses (see video). Also these test persons believed to see themselves from outside – even when it was actually a dummy. It is rather the question of studying the consciousness of the own body than out-of-body experiences, Bigna Lenggenhager of the researchers team said to SPIEGEL ONLINE.
Philosopher Metzinger: “A classical OBE surely includes moving all modalities of the senses into the second body”. That is why he wants to call both experiments only “Teleportations-OBEs”, and he considers Ehrsson’s statement for ‘laid it on a little thick’.
After all, the I-feeling can be selectively manipulated – that is fact. “This way video games could reach a totally new level” Ehrsson is speculating. Also tele-operations could profit from making the surgeons believe they would directly be at the operating table.
The rubber hand, the I and Descartes
A fascinating vision. But it is for a totally different reason why psychologists, brain researchers and philosophers are interested in out-of-body experiences - and for that the most primitive experiments seem to be the most suitable ones. ”Here we have shown the simplest form of the I-feeling.” Metzinger says. Already three years ago Ehrsson presented: The brain compounds information in the pre-motor cortex in order to decide whether a limb belongs to the own body or not. Even only with a rubber dummy of the right hand his test persons could be fooled (more…).
In both new experiments visual stimuli alone were enough to confuse the entire body perception. Metzinger interprets this as follows: Here the simplest form of the I-feeling had been manipulated. This would have far reaching consequences for the image of the human being. Beginning with Descartes, philosophers had started from a rational ego, they had even metaphysically enhanced the I.
This idea still persists today: One could not explain the nature of the Self – but it had to do something with reflexion and self-realization, and it also would make the human being unique.
Is all of this only a comfortable fallacy? Metzinger says: “This experiment also could be done the same way with apes. Maybe they could not fill out the questionnaire all that good, but everything else would function as well.”
The unity of body and I-feeling belongs to the basis of self-consciousness – and obviously the brain constantly is busy with connecting different sensations with consistent body percepts.
Though, it can be fudged into the experiment – but the human being cannot consciously control it.
“That goes much deeper” Metzinger says. He sees the chance that psychologists and brain researchers now can take apart the I-consciousness piece by piece and reduce it to its physical basis.
If they are successful with this they probably will also find out that there is no I at all that superordinates everything.
Already the title of their research work sounds like a challenge for ego-philosopher René Descartes: “Video Ergo Sum” – I see, so I am.
From Stefan Schmitt
Source: www.spiegel.de
Labels: Conciousness, Science
Arunachala is a mountain of 820 meters height in the South Indian federal state Tamil Nadu, approximately 150 kilometers distance from Chennai (Madras) and 180 kilometers away from Bangalore. At his foot lies the city of Tiruvannamalai with its big Hindu temple Arnachalasvara. In the West Arunachala became famous because of the Sage Sri Ramana Maharshi, who was meditating in the caves of the mountain for many years until an Ashram was founded.Geologically Arunachala is an isolated mountain of volcanic rock and he has a bare reddish cone.
Despite his low height he widely dominates the landscape. All sorts of medicinal plants grow on the mountain. In earlier times Arunachala was partly wooded, wild animals and pristine flora and fauna lived on him.
Since primeval times Arunachala is worshiped as a holy mountain. According to the Tamil legend he is older than the Himalayas and is considered to be one of the holiest places of India.
The meaning of the Sanskrit name Arunachala is “Mountain of Dawn” (literally aruna: morning redness, achala: mountain, also the unmovable)
He also is called “Hill of the Light”. This name refers to the “Divine Light of Shiva”, which is said to surround the mountain like an aura. (Shiva, literally translated from Sanskrit: “The Gracious One, The Friendly One”, is considered to be the destroyer of non-realization as a benedictive deity)
In the figurative sense “Aruna” stands for the liberated state beyond all oppositeness, “achala” stands for the unmovable, the stable, silence.
From Shankara (Sanskrit, śankara, adi means “beginning, source”, 788-820), one of the greatest Saints and philosophers of India, main representative of Advaita-Vedanta, is reported that he called Arunachala Mountain Meru, which, according to the Indian mythology, is the axis of the world, centre of the universe and residence of the Gods.
There are a lot of legends regarding the origin of the holy mountain. The most famous legend gives backgrounds for the adoration and the attraction of the mountain:
Vishnu and Brahma got into a dispute, which one of them would be the mightier one. Their dispute caused chaos on earth. Therefore the Gods requested Shiva to end the wrangling. Shiva answered their request and manifested himself as a pillar of light. Out of it he let a voice speak: “Who of both can reach the upper or lower end of the pillar be the mightier one.” Vishnu took the shape of a boar and dug himself deeply into the earth. Brahma was transmuting into a swan and flew up to the upper end. On his way up he saw a flower flying through the air. He took it as a proof for Shiva and he said he had found it on top of the pillar. Vishnu also could not reach the lower end, but he realized in his own inside the supreme light that shines in the hearts of all beings. He lost the awareness of the body, forgot himself and his goal to reach the lower end of the pillar of light. He confessed his failure to Shiva and praised him with the words:
“You are self-realization, the OM.
You are the beginning, the middle and the end of everything.
You are everything and you enlighten everything.“
He was acknowledged as the mightier one and Shiva forgave the ashamed Brahma his attempt to deceive. (Source: Gabriele Ebert, Ramana Maharshi, Sein Leben, S.59, Lüchow Verlag Stuttgart)
Quotes:
Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi:
“Arunachala is the heart of the world, is Shiva himself.
As we identify ourselves with the body,
so Shiva, the supreme truth, identifies himself with the mountain.
It happens out of love for those who are seeking to realize Him.“
Madhukar:
“Yes, this mountain is Shiva himself.
When a human being can be enlightened, why not also a mountain?
Each one who has been there realizes
that even though he finds a red geological formation in a plain with paddy fields, it is much more a mystical place.
Bhagavan is still there!
This phenomenon of silent presence is described as soundless sound.
I would say: vibrationless vibration.“
Giri Pradakshina – the circumambulation of the holy mountain.
(giri, mountain, and pradakshina, circumambulation)
In Hinduism the ritual to circumambulate an object has always been a form of divine adoration. As Arunachala is seen as a manifestation of God Shiva, his circumambulation has always been considered to be very benedictive: it would still the mind, it would help liberation, forgive sins and fulfil wishes.
In the Holy Scripture, the Arunachala Puranam, manifold instructions can be found for the circumambulation of the mountain. So the pilgrim is advised to walk silently or singing, in inner silence, barefoot and slowly like a pregnant queen. Each day of the week has a special meaning according to the above mentioned goals and desires. Preferred days are full moon nights, especially the last full moon night of Deepam, the festival of lights, after lightening the holy flame. This celebration is already mentioned in more than 3000 years old Tamil scriptures.
The traditional path around the mountain is approximately 13 kilometers long and leads through Tiruvannamalai with its big temple. Through the circumambulation the mountain always should be on the right side. On the way there are a lot of shrines, smaller temples and several Ashrams.
Sri Ramana Maharshi has often practiced this circumambulation and also recommended it to his devotees, in the awareness: “Everything is inside of me”.
During his whole life he indicated the wonderful effect of the mountain. According to his statement Arunachala made him leave his home when he was 17 years old, as he was attracted by Arunachala:
„When Arunachala pulled me towards him, filled my mind in silence and I came close to him, I saw: he means absolute stillness”.
“Arunachala is within and not outside. The Self Is Arunachala.“
„For the human eye he is only a shape out of earth and rock, but his true form is divine light.“
“The secret of the mountain is the secret of the Self.“
“Arunachala thou dost root out the ego of those who meditate on thee in
the heart, oh Arunachala."
Sources:
Gabriele Ebert, Ramana Maharshi, Sein Leben, Stuttgart, Lüchow Verlag
Martin Mittwede, Spirituelles Wörterbuch, Sanskrit German, Sathya Sai
Vereinigung, Bonn
Lexikon der Östlichen Weisheitslehren, Otto Wilhelm Barth Verlag
Satsang with Madhukar
Madhukar, Einssein, Lüchow Verlag
Labels: Arunachala
Dolce Vita Pictures
0 Comments Published by Madhukar Organisation on Friday, September 7, 2007 at 8:12 AM.
Once again: Returning home...
Beloved Madhukar
Overflowing Joy
Warmth of the heart
Gratefulness
Family
Beloved friends
Retreat Sommerlust in Kitzbühel
1 Comments Published by Madhukar Organisation on Monday, September 3, 2007 at 3:03 AM.
The first meeting with Madhukar in Satsang in Vienna made me realize that it is essential to be close to the Master for a longer time.
My wish was the next retreat in India – but there was urgency – not to waste any extra time, so I drove into the wonderful Kitzbüheler mountains.
11:30 Satsang
I was surprised to have a totally different perception of Madhukar. Feelings came up like coldness, unapproachableness, no connection. The question arose to me: “Please, do I need that? Am I really in need of that? What am I doing here?”
Somewhen after this Satsang this adherence to the Master suddenly dissolved. A clarity arose that there is no difference between the Master and me. Relaxation spread out and space for growing in the sense of: less EGO more SELF. I realized that real communication only can happen on the same level because all trials to make a difference mean separation.
On the second day after Satsang suddenly the questions came up: “Please, is it not possible to do it more gentle? Where is the esteem for the other one? Well, I would not allow anybody to speak to me like this. Maybe I should drive home? What is going on here anyway? Why do people expose themselves to such icecold corrections? Maybe I really should drive home?”. The severity with which the Master treated some people seemed not to be okay to me. “I will mention that in the next Satsang” was my solution to this. Again something unexpected happened. I realized that in truth there is no severity, but that exactly those things happen which have to happen and that exactly those words are spoken which have to be spoken – just like following an invisible plan whose only aim it is that every being, which is truthfully ready, is (can be) free.
Hmmmh, the issue here is not at all a change in the form of an “improvement” what would be the same like surface cosmetics. The issue is deep beauty, based on clarity, truth and directness, without detours in the form of palliation or circumscriptions, but immediate implementation – NOW – genial and indescribably precious.
Each attempt of wanting to experience something else dissolves, becomes meaningless.
New day, new question: “Do things dissolve which stand in the way?” Yes, it feels like an extreme strong and pure energy would crumble away everything, which hinders the Self – even perceptible for my partner Friedrich, at home, hundreds of kilometers away. He often had the feeling of directly being present as well.
New day – no questions anymore. Deep faith spreads out that everything is okay the way it happens, that it is absolutely simple, clear and being suitable for everybody. Simply devotion to Self, which is simply everything and pervades everything. Devotion not in the sense of having to give away something (in the form of acting). No, it more is an allowing, let it BEING. It is not good to describe with words because it is not to form(ulate).
The willingness, in the presence of the Master, to let go everything what stands in the way of the freedom of Self: imaginations, thoughts, judgments, preferences …. also the glorification of the Master has to be waived. Then it becomes clear that Self is the only existing Master and gladly provides Masters like Madhukar, so that everybody may experience THAT. For this grace I am deeply thankful and touched and I know that many people will experience it.
Petra from Kärnten
Labels: Experience Reports
1 Responses to “Retreat Sommerlust in Kitzbühel”
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September 3, 2007 4:15 PM
I wish they had a handbook for once one enters the continual silence. This place is also beyond buddhic level. (Spontaneous awakening of the kundalini and no teacher.)
The upper levels do teach tho on the issue of ego and is dealt with, all that remains afterwards is sublime humblemindedness. But humblemindedness is a true gem.
In buddhic on gets a glimpse or a taste of the interconnectiveness of
all things and Source. It is differ to where I am now, the continual inner silence. All things dissolve here. Karma, thoughts of beauty...everything dissolves into the ocean of solace. Infact, the raindrop returns to the ocean of solace, tho the raindrop is not the ocean, tho merges with it.
It is a strange place, it is like returning to the beginning, seeing all things with new and with freshness, but this time thru the eyes of wisdom attained.
Only thing here is the ongoing silence,mind is silenced permanently...all other things burn up in the flame. There is only clarity now and I do not miss the illusion at all. But I am use to striving and so I will focus on shen/Spirit. The experience I encountered only dealt with soul alone,and seeing the true self and its beauty of potential if I allow it to bloom to the outside. Which I wish to do btw.
The closest understanding I am able to describe it and understand is .... that of a water lilly.
The water lilly starts growing from down in the murky waters of illusion, and all is perceived thru the illusion. But when the water lilly pushes thru the water and flowers, the lilly now sees clearly. The water lilly itself is the soul.
Good journeys, may you find what you are seeking.
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