Om...

from StJohn Miall

Ever wondered about Om, the universal mantra?

The mantra Om is sacred to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists.   The Mandukya Upanishad describes it as "the eternal word... what was, what is, what shall be, and what is in eternity".

Yoga philosophy teaches that chanting Om will unite you with the cosmos.

The mantra is made up of three separate sounds: "aaa", "uuu" and "mmm". In Vedic chanting it is given four counts: three counts for the "aaauuu" ( combination of "a" and "u"), a half count for the "mmm" and a half count of silence.

Om is also called the mula mantra, meaning "root mantra":  It is often chanted before other mantras and before and after a reading from the Vedas.

The visual elements of the Sanskrit symbol represents the four states of consciousness (1-4) and the world of illusion (5)

1.   Waking (jagrat)
2.   Dreaming (swapna)
3.   Deep Sleep (sushupti)
4.   Transcendental State (turiya)
5.   World of Illusion (maya) that veils true awareness.

source: 'The Mind, Body, Spirit Miscellany' by Jane Alexander.  Duncan Baird Publishers.

So there you have it!   It does seem like you have to wade through the World of Illusion before you can arrive in the Transcendental State.   Any tips or experiences you want to share about that little adventure would be most welcome!

How I got started...

By Robert Meredith

Brighton

I first learnt to meditate in 1969, It was my birthday present to myself when I was living in Brighton, a town on the South coast of England, and working with Apple Theatre, The Beatles theatre company. 

The person who taught me was an Australian woman called Edna Linnell, who I was sure, must have mispronounced the mantra she gave me because of her Aussie accent. In spite of this (or maybe because of it!) my very first meditation was an amazing experience, the beginning of a lifetime practice and an important part of my work. 

The practice that Edna taught me was Transcendental Meditation, brought to the West by the Indian teacher, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. I went on to become a T.M. teacher and national co-ordinator for the T. M. organisation in the UK, and spent many months studying with Maharishi. 

Maharishi Mahesh Yogi
with The Beatles

 Maharishi’s intention was to take meditation out of the realm of the mystical and make it accessible to as many people as possible. To do that he gathered around him a group of physicists and medical professionals who carried out the first research into the physiology of meditation, demonstrating objectively the effectiveness of the practice. He also trained teachers and established teaching centres all over the world. 

Literally millions of people have learnt the T. M. technique, and to this day it is the most researched and validated meditation practice available, bringing measureable benefits to virtually every area of life. 

How did you get started?    What prompted you to learn to meditate?    We'd love to hear your stories... feel free to add your comments.

Low flying Pianos

From Jo Flynn

According to a number of my friends and colleagues there are celestial stirrings afoot. Apparently July and potentially quite a bit of August have favourable conditions for not leaving the house in case a piano falls on one’s head from a very great height.

I must admit my learning curve has been ridiculously steep for most of this month and I have found myself grasping at any indication that things might improve. And then I came across this particularly gorgeous offering by a poet I have come to love.

The Well of Grief

Those who will not slip beneath

the still surface of the well of grief

turning downward through its black water

to the place we cannot breathe

will never know the source from which we drink,

the secret water,

cold and clear,

nor find in the darkness glimmering 


the small round coins 


thrown away by those who wished for something else. 


By David Whyte

from Close to Home

And of course….I am now noticing the small round coins. Noticing that I would not choose to miss this adventure. Even if it occasionally feels like drowning….

For all of us who are swimming downward – may we soon be refreshed by that secret water, cold and clear. I shall be drinking mine from a champagne glass in recognition of the bravery and fortitude it required to persevere.

I just hope the piano doesn’t get me first…