Robert Gimbel wrote: > From my understanding and experience, it's important to get >initiated into TM at the beginning, because of the precise way >Maharishi, has structured the teaching, and the necessity of the >principle of effortlessness, which needs to be checked post >initiation. > >After learning the technique, I suppose the advanced techniques, are >given in the same way, to continue to invoke the Masters of the Holy >Tradition, and to give thanks for the knowledge. > >But, once someone has experience transcending, and also, >experiencing witnessing, and the more subtle aspects of the >knowledge and experience, then it's a whole different ball game. >That's the whole point of becoming enlightened and becoming a Master >yourself. > >At some point you trust you intuition enough, to know what's good >for you and what is not. > >As far as the use of Aum. >Again, this is my understanding: > >Aum is the basic sound of the absolute. >Aum is the alpha and omega. >Aum is the beginning and the end. >Aum is good to do out loud, in a group or by yourself; it can be >used for finding your, 'natural voice' as in singing, and can be >used to strengthen the voice. > >Aum can also be added to a given Mantra, to complete the Mantra >string. >Like: Aum Shri Shivayai Namah Aum as a salutation to Shiva. >A salutation to Shiva, is like a song to Shiva, >And depending of the consciousness, and purity of intention, of the >repeater of this mantra; will come the result of calling Shiva to >you. > >That is my understanding of the use(s) of Aum, sort of like a period >at the end of a sentence; >Like the "coming back to the simplest state of awareness"; > >Like that; using Aum at the beginning and at the end solidifies the >Mantra string. > >Someone might want to give this one a try during an approaching >storm; > >Aum Shri Indra Namah Aum... > > > > > We might be getting a little hung up on the Om thing here. My observation is that the bij aksharas by themselves dive very quickly and then almost as quickly surface. So you are bobbing up and down just like in the diagram. When Om is added the bij aksharas are weighted and don't dive as fast but they do stay submerged longer. MMY either made this observation himself or was told this by a priest, tantric or even found it in some shastra someplace. Thus the meditator gets a quick taste of the transcendent. We can all probably agree that bij aksharas are better than using the sounds like "one" or "banana" (though the latter is Hindi). Also MMY wanted people to get an advanced technique after a couple of years with the first technique. These are more traditional though they still don't use Om.
However in my conversations with many Indians including pundits, astrologers, gurus, ayurvedic physicians, and Brahman lay people all scoffed at the idea of using meditating on a mantra that did not have Om. Further some suggest that shakti mantras are too heating for the public which is why some folks may have roughness with TM. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/JjtolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> To subscribe, send a message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Or go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ and click 'Join This Group!' Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/FairfieldLife/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
