MUSIC AS YOGA

Yoga means a path toward “union”, a series of practices, a curriculum, which aim is to work out the will of the Divine in the world, to effect spiritual transformation, and to bring down a divine nature and a divine life into the mental, vital, and physical nature and life of humanity. The object and subject of yoga is not personal, but the bringing down of the divine Ananda (bliss) upon the earth. When used as a vehicle to attain the divine nature, Yoga involves specific practices which identify the different kinds of Yogas, such as, Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakty Yoga, Shabda Yoga, and many others. The most well known in the West is Hatha Yoga, based on physical postures in connection with breathing exercises. Hatha Yoga is considered in India, a preliminary, preparatory practice to clear the body, the brain, and the mind, and prepare ourselves, “the machine”, for spiritual forms of Yoga which involve meditation techniques.

Music Yoga, or the continuous practice of music is one of the most powerful ways to embody the divine, the sacred, the mystic texture of reality. The sacred is not something external to us, we embody it playing and chanting sacred music. In the practice of sacred mantras and chants we unify the body with the mind, emotions, and the spirit. We transcend from striving to being with the divine. That results in the healing power of music. The voice is the most energetic agent to facilitate this transformation and transmission of power.

From earliest times The Hindus were systematic in their approach to studying the relationship between sound and consciousness. Hinduism developed a theology and a cosmology of sound. NADA YOGA, the ancient science of sound. Originated in India around 200 B.C.E. It comes from the Vedic tradition, a path that is referred as Shabda Yoga, which venerates the sacred power of word or mantra. Nada means any sound or tone, specially the sound used in mystical words. Nada Yoga embraces linguistic as well as nonlinguistic sounds, leading to a highly developed devotional music, which includes the ragas.

The Nada Yoga uses sounds like the OM, which represents the total vibratory nature of the universe. The Nada tradition uses specific sounds to stimulate dormant currents of energy in our body-mind, and carry one’s consciousness to the heart of deep love and devotion. Many of the Nada sounds are connected to sounds of nature.

Shabda Yoga is the earliest phase in the yoga of sound. It is related to the recitation and chanting of Vedic Sanskrit text. The 50 seed syllables from which the whole alphabet derives, contain a great creative power, to harmonize with the energy of the universe.

The yoga of sound is being enriched by the contribution of two other traditions of wisdom, Tantric and Bhakty. Shakty Yoga, is the path of sacred sound developed within the Tantric tradition, which is the path of transformation, as well as bringing opposite forces of power into harmony, and fulfillment within the body, achieving total integration of being. Kundalini Yoga is part of this tradition.

Tantric chants enhanced the senses and serve to stimulate and transform the flow in our energy centers called charkas - power stations within the subtle body where the divine abides. One of the most powerful Hindu mantra of this tradition is: Om Nanah Shivaya

Bhakty chants cultivate the connection with God, to get closer and closer to the sources of divine love. Liberated from the knowledge of technique, Bhakty chants aim to cultivate Bhava yoga, and expansion of feeling and deep sensibility by means of melodies that lead to the sense of union with the Divine presence. Kirtan yoga chanting belongs to this tradition. We abandon the self to sing, and remember the power of being in-love with the beloved.

OM ANANDAMAYI, mantra by Sri Aurobindo

OM ANANDAMAYI CHAITANYAMAYI SATYAMAYI PARAME

(O Thou full of bliss, full of consciousness, full of truth, supreme)

Vox Mundi School Repertoire ® 2002 – REPRODUCTION is PROHIBITED