User:Visarga/The Nada Sound

This article is a synthesis of information on the Nada sound from various online sources and books. It is not in proper Wikipedia format.

In the West it is called tinnitus and defined as "a medical condition in which you hear a continuous noise in your ears", however, in the Eastern traditions it has been considered a great way to deepen meditation.

Some call it "one's own sound" or "the sound of one's own nature" because it is not caused by any external objects. Other call it the stream (nada means stream in sanskrit) because it kind of sounds like the roaring of a stream, or even "the sound current". Because it can be heard when there is silence around, it is also said to be "the sound of silence". Being continuous, it is named "the eternal sound" and being located inside the mind, it is also named "infinite space". Buddhists call it "Divine Ear". Mystical texts attribute it to the Logos, or AUM, the original sound of creation.

Characteristics

A main characteristic of Nada is that it is not created at will, so, it just is, but in such a way that it is there only when attended to, and disappears beneath the other sounds when not minded.

Another characteristic is that it is always present and self evident, intermixing into all the other sounds, even when not meditating. Like the concept of self which binds to all our experiences and infuses itself into all mental states, this sound is also permeating the mental chatter and external sounds.

The Nada sound is not an actual sensorial perception, it doesn't lend itself to being described very well by similarity with the external sounds, being somewhat "featureless" and "formless". It does not appear to be coming from a point in space, but appears directly inside the head, and as such it is compared to an "unlimited space".

Descriptions

There have been many attempts to describe what it sounds like by comparing it to objective external sounds. This is a list, by no means complete:

It is like the ocean, like bells ringing, a flute, a bee swarm, crickets or grasshoppers, like a vibrating crystal, a musical instrument, a flute, like birds chirping at sundown, an unearthly sparkling sound, a sonic pressure - the noise made by gas escaping with pressure from a pipe, a symphony of scintillating vibrations, the distant murmur of the sea, a bell which rings or chimes, like the sound of small pieces of glass rustling together, and has a silvery and sparkling quality to it.

Practices associated with Nada

Here's the interesting (practical) part:

The basic practice is to listen to the sound in a state of open awareness. It is at the same time a form of concentration and witnessing.

Some recommend identification with the sound, in all its nuances. Other texts suggest to focus on the most subtle part of the sound.

Other texts tell us to listen to it in a non-interfering manner, just be with it, nothing to do, rest the mind in it. To see the body and mind as existing here and now, in the space of consciousness, permeated by the sound of Nada.

Others instruct to follow its changes, left or right, forehead or back of the head, the changing of its character, e.g: sometimes like a river, other times like crickets.

There is an advice to listen to it with extreme vigilance, like a samurai who is about to duel in a sword fight, when even a second of inattention could cause him to lose his life. Another metaphor - imagine a deer that becomes absorbed and motionless on hearing the sound of people approaching - that kind of acute yet non-selective attention.

There are some who emphasize the meaning we place on it, the intention with which we listen to it, the value we give it, and having an attitude of gratefulness while we surrender to it.

There is also a technique to be mindful of its sub-sounds. The Nada is formed of a few superimposed sounds - for example, a roaring river and also at the same time chirping and a very high pitched flute. Fix on the loudest one, then identify the secondary sub-sounds, pick one of them, focus on it until it also becomes loud and clear, then repeat the process with the other sub-sounds. These sub-sounds could be variations of the initial sound: louder, higher pitched, or having a different character, or coming from a different direction.

There are some who suggest to find the most subtle part of it and ignore the rest, metaphorically the same way we should focus our inner awareness while ignoring all the distractions in meditation.

Effects

The Nada sound meditation has a calming effect on the mind and induces a state of peace. It gives a sense of stability, being uninterrupted and always there. By letting it fuse with you and permeate your body and mind, it helps develop a more elevated and subtle perception of oneself.

Intense listening to Nada leads to a state of profound awareness of the heart. It acts like an anchor, reminding us of our true nature, helping us remain focused on the present moment. Like breath, it is always at hand in meditation. It helps develop concentration and stops ordinary thinking because you cannot be aware of it and at the same time lost in thoughts.

Being a powerful sensation, it helps turn the senses inwards - pratyahara. It induces a state of transparency and void. It reduces the ego and the feeling of ordinary I-ness. It induces a rarefied, purified perception of one's body, as if it became weightless and immaterial. Even Buddha is said to have reached enlightenment by meditating to the Nada sound.