sound: Shabda. As the darshana, or "seeing," of the Divine is a central article of faith for Hindus, similarly, hearing the Divine is spiritually indispensable. The ears are a center of many nadis connected to inner organs of perception. Gurus may when imparting initiation whisper in the ear of disciples to stimulate these centers and give a greater effect to their instructions.

During temple puja, bells ring loudly, drums resound, conches and woodwinds blare to awaken worshipers from routine states of consciousness.

Meditation on inner sound, called nada-anusandhana, is an essential yoga practice. Listening to the Vedas or other scripture is a mystical process. Traditional music is revered as the nectar of the Divine.

See: Aum, nada, Siva consciousness.

(See also: Sound , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

DIVINE SOUND - (shabd, Sanskrit) eternal vibration within all beings that is realized by chanting or focusing the breath activating the inner ear. (NAD)

(See also: DIVINE SOUND , Wiccan Pagan, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Primal Sound: In Hinduism, sound is the first manifestation, even before light, in the creative scheme of things. The Primal Sound is also known as Pranava, the sound of the mula mantra, "Aum."

See: sound, Healing sound, vibrational healing

(See also: Primal Sound , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Sound In physics, a name for a group of phenomena, and in common speech auditory sensations; but in theosophic philosophy, sound is an attribute of one of the fundamental cosmic elements, akasa.

Being such, sound becomes more than a mere name describing an attribute: it is an actual efflux or production of the universal working of the akasic fluid. Hence, in a sense, it may be said to be an entity, a real force in nature, and the said phenomena and sensations only some of its effects.

Like the terms light, heat, air -- all of which are entities in occultism -- sound will have different shades of meaning according to the particular manifestation or plane concerned. In its most fundamental meaning, sound is the characteristic effect or spiritual efflux of the Third Logos, the upper end of that septenary ladder of being which constitutes the one manifested Life. In this sense akasa, considered as one of the tattvas (elementary substances), may be said to be the third cosmic Logos; although in a more universal sense akasa is the universal substantial space from which emanates the first cosmic Logos of an individual cosmic hierarchy, such as our solar system. As such, this akasic Third Logos, whose characteristic production is sound, occupies the apex of a triangle, combining both the active and passive potencies of creative energy. Logos is Greek for Word, what the Latins called Verbum, including both forms and vibratory force. Sound is therefore a tremendous occult creative power: it called worlds into being out of chaos, as is said in every cosmogony. This power descends to man, through his divine ancestry, as well as from the higher parts of his constitution, and the power of sound is known to adepts and used by them, being called mantrika-sakti.

Always and everywhere the power of mantras and incantations has been recognized. Orators use mantras -- they call them slogans -- with instinctive knowledge of their efficacy, and set afloat phrases that stir the public mind and strongly influence events. Often in daily conversation we instinctively forbear to speak a name or a word, though we would make no objection to writing it.

Sound is a property of akasa, the primary of aether, sometimes called space. In the list of the five commonly accepted tattvas, senses, and organs, akasa-tattva is at the top, corresponding to sound and hearing. The aether of space has seven principles and is the vibratory soundboard of nature in all its seven differentiations. Sound is directed in its operations by fohat, being one of seven radicals.

The power of sound is connected with rhythmic vibration and sympathetic vibration; a powerful voice, sounding the right tone, may shatter a wineglass; and the imagination suggests dangerous applications of this principle. To dabble experimentally in it, or to follow the teachings of pseudo-occultists, would be like an ignorant person meddling with the switches in a powerhouse.

(See also: Sound , Mysticism, Mysticism Dictionary)

BioSonic Sound and Light Repatterning: Component of BioSonics that includes color breathing.

(See also: BioSonic Sound and Light Repatterning , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Sound Energetics: Invention of Helena Reilly, M.A. It involves analysis of the voice and the application of sound at frequencies that release psychological and emotional energies.

The principle of sound energetics is that one's voice is a reflection and map of one's energetic vibration overall. sounding: Repeatedly vocalizing therapeutic sounds, such as AUM. Aum (Om) isa manifestation of spiritual power and the most sacred syllable of Hinduism. sound therapy: Modality promoted by psychologist Lisa M. Baker, M.A., of New York City. It includes Toning.

(See also: Sound Energetics , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

A dictionary with common spiritual words from Hinduism and Sanskrit. Also see these links: Hinduism, Spirituality, Enlightenment, Spiritual Dictionary and Hinduism Dictionary.

Aum: (Sanskrit) or (Sanskrit) Often spelled Om. The mystic syllable of Hinduism, placed at the beginning of most sacred writings. As a mantra, it is pronounced aw (as in law), oo (as in zoo), mm.

á      Aum represents the Divine, and is associated with Lord Ganesha, for its initial sound "aa," vibrates within the muladhara, the chakra at the base of the spine upon which this God sits.

á      The second sound of this mantra, "oo," vibrates within the throat and chest chakras, the realm of Lord Murugan, or Kumara, known by the Hawaiian people as the God Ku.

á      The third sound, "mm," vibrates within the cranial chakras, ajna and sahasrara, where the Supreme God reigns.

The dot above, called anusvara, represents the Soundless Sound, Paranada. Aum is explained in the Upanishads as standing for the whole world and its parts, including past, present and future. It is from this primal vibration that all manifestation issues forth. Aum is the primary, or mula mantra, and often precedes other mantras. It may be safely used for chanting and japa by anyone of any religion. Its three letters represent the three worlds and the powers of creation, preservation and destruction. In common usage in several Indian languages, aum means "yes, verily" or "hail." See: nada, Pranava, sound, Healing sound.

(See also: Aum , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

tattva: (Sanskrit) "That-ness" or "essential nature." Tattvas are the primary principles, elements, states or categories of existence, the building blocks of the universe. Lord Siva constantly creates, sustains the form of and absorbs back into Himself His creations. Rishis describe this emanational process as the unfoldment of tattvas, stages or evolutes of manifestation, descending from subtle to gross. At mahapralaya, cosmic dissolution, they enfold into their respective sources, with only the first two tattvas surviving the great dissolution.

The first and subtlest form - the pure consciousness and source of all other evolutes of manifestation - is called Siva tattva, or Parashakti-nada. But beyond Siva tattva lies Parasiva - the utterly transcendent, Absolute Reality, called attava. That is Siva's first perfection.

The Sankhya system discusses 25 tattvas. Saivism recognizes these same 25 plus 11 beyond them, making 36 tattvas in all. These are divided into three groups:

1)    First are the five shuddha tattvas (shuddha = pure). These constitute the realm of shuddha maya.

2)    Next are the seven shuddha-ashuddha tattvas(shuddha-ashuddha = pure-impure). These constitute the realm of shuddhashuddha maya.

3)    3The third group comprises the 24 ashuddha tattvas (ashuddha = impure). These constitute the realm of ashuddha maya.

See: atattva, antahkarana, guna, kosha,

(See also: Tattva , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

temple: An edice in a consecrated place dedicated to the worship of God or the Gods. From the Latin templum, "temple, sanctuary; marked space."

Hindu temples, over one million worldwide, are revered as sacred, magical places in which the three worlds most consciously commune - structures especially built and consecrated to channel the subtle spiritual energies of inner-world beings.

The temple's psychic atmosphere is maintained through regular worship ceremonies (puja) invoking the Deity, who uses His installed image (murti) as a temporary body to bless those living on the earth plane. In Hinduism, the temple is the hub of virtually all aspects of social and religious life. It may be referred to by the Sanskrit terms mandira, devalaya (or Sivalaya, a Siva temple), as well as by vernacular terms such as koyil (Tamil).

See: garbhagriha, darshana, mandapa, pradakshina, sound, teradi, tirthayatra.

(See also: Temple , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)

Kundalini Dictionary

Dictionary over terms related to kundalini and kundalini awakening. Please note that words in grey like " Kundalini " are links to archives with related articles.

Unstruct sound, Anahata nada:

Kundalini is characterized by three different types of energy as it rises through various spiritual centers (known as chakras). At the beginning the energy is said to be gross, and the yogi's consciousness reflects the seeming diversity of the universe. At the intermediate level the energy is subtler and the yogi's consciousness becomes attuned to the unity within the diversity. At this stage the yogi begins to hear what are known as unstruct sounds.

Among other things, these sounds may resemble that of a hand-bell, a flute, a buzzing bee ... As the kundalini continues to rise, the energy becomes subtler still and it's almost as if the yogi becomes absorbed in the subtlest of sounds, a sound which is no sound. At this point the yogi's consciousness stops perceiving diversity altogether. All that remains is I am.

(See also: Unstruct sound, Anahata nada , Psychic, Psychic Dictionary, Parapsychology, Parapsychology Dictionary)

shadow sound therapy (c) (SST, shadow therapy): Modality developed by Elide M. Solomont, Ph.D., composer, Jungian psychotherapist, sound healer, and author of One Day We'll All Be Together and You Are Who You Hate - The Alchemy of Dissonance: History, Theory, Self Reports, Practice for Therapeutic Purpose (Vantage Press, Inc., 1995). SST is a combination of guided imagery and music therapy.

According to its theory,

• if one listens to unfamiliar, unstructured, or inharmonic music, one will face one's shadow (a dark side that disappoints); and
• interpreting images of the unconscious can effect healing.

(See also: Shadow sound therapy , Body Mind and Soul, Alternative Health, Alternative Health Dictionary)

Audio Neurotechnology

Recorded soundtracks of soothing music are combined with specific frequencies of pulsed binaural sound (a different frequency into each ear via headphones). Modifies the brainwaves to create meditative states.

(See also: Audio Neurotechnology , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Pulsed Light and Sound Therapies

employ frequencies of sound and/or light to entrain the brain waves, creating specific mind-body states, especially relaxation.

(See also: Pulsed Light, Sound Therapies , Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

SOUND MAGICK: has to do with energy raised by musicle notes, or pitchs, etc.

(See also: SOUND MAGICK , Witchcraft, Wicca, Paganism, Pagan Dictionary)

Ayurveda is the oldest surviving complete medical system in the world. Derived from its ancient Sanskrit roots - ‘ayus' (life) and ‘ved' (knowledge) – and offering a rich, comprehensive outlook to a healthy life, its origins go back nearly 5000 years. To when it was expounded and practiced by the same spiritual rishis, who laid the foundations of the Vedic civilisation in India, by organising the fundamentals of life into proper systems.

The main source of knowledge in this field therefore remain the Vedas, the divine books of knowledge they propounded, and more specifically the fourth of the series, namely Atharvaveda that dates back to around 1000 BC. Of the few other treatises on Ayurveda that have survived from around the same time, the most famous are Charaka Samhita and the Sushruta Samhita which concentrate on internal medicine and surgery respectively. The Astanga Hridayam is a more concise compilation of earlier texts that was created about a thousand years ago. These between them forming a greater part of the knowledge base on Ayurveda as it is practiced today.

The art of Ayurveda had spread around in the 6th century BC to Tibet, China, Mongolia, Korea and Sri Lanka, carried over by the Buddhist monks travelling to those lands. Although not much of it survives in original form, its effects can be seen in the various new age concepts that have originated from there.

No philosophy has had greater influence on Ayurveda than Sankhaya’s philosophy of creation and manifestation. Which professes that behind all creation there is a state of pure existence or awareness, which is beyond time and space, has no beginning or end, and no qualities. Within pure existence, there arises a desire to experience itself, which results in disequilibrium and causes the manifestation of the primordial physical energy. And the two unite to make the "dance of creation" come alive.

Imponderable, indescribable and extremely subtle, this primordial energy – which and all that flows from it existing only in pure existence – is the creative force of all action, a source of form that has qualities. Matter and energy are so closely related that when energy takes form, we tend to think of it in terms of matter only. And much modified, it ultimately leads to the manifestation of our familiar mental and physical worlds.

It also gives rise to cosmic consciousness, which is the universal order that prevades all life. Individual intelligence, as distinct from the everyday intellectual mind, is derived from and is part of this consciousness. It is the inner wisdom, the part of individuality that remains unswayed by the demands of daily life, or by Ahamkara, the sense of `I-ness’.

A Sanskrit word with no exact translation, Ahamkara, is a concept not quite understood by everyone as it is often misleadingly equated to `ego’. Embracing much more than just that, it is in essence that part of ‘me’ which knows which parts of the universal creation are ‘me’. Since ‘I’ am not separate from the universal consciousness, but ‘I’ has an identity that differentiates and defines the boundaries of `me’. All creations therefore have Ahamkara, not just human beings.

There arises from Ahamkara a two-fold creation. The first is Satwa, the subjective world, which is able to perceive and manipulate matter. It comprises the subtle body (the mind), the capacity of the five sense organs to hear, feel, see, taste and smell, and for the five organs of action to speak, grasp, move, procreate and excrete. The mind and the subtle organs providing the bridge between the body, the Ahamkara and the inner wisdom, which three together is considered the essential nature of humans.

The second is Tamas, the objective world of the five elements of sound, touch, vision, taste and smell – the five subtle elements that give rise to the dense elements of ether or space, air, fire, water and the earth – from which all matter of the physical world is derived. And it is Rajas, the force or the energy of movement, which brings together parts of these two worlds.

It is worth noting that even at the stage of the dense elements the philosophy of creation –which according to Sankaya is now and in the present, without any past and any future – is still dealing with aspects of existence beyond our simple physical realms. The point of contention being that we are the first and foremost spirit experiencing existence. To use Ayurveda in daily life, one has neither to accept nor even understand this philosophy. But it does provide a deeper insight into how Ayurveda works towards betterment of your health.

Ayurveda therefore is not simply a health care system but a form of lifestyle adopted to maintain perfect balance and harmony within the human existence, from the most abstract transcendental values to the most concrete physiological expressions. Based on the premise that life represents an intelligent co-ordination of the Atma (Soul), Mana (Mind), Indriya (Senses) and Sharira (Body). That revolves around the five dense elements that go into the making of the constitution of each individual, called Prakriti. Which in turn is determined by the vital balance of the three physical energies - Vata, Pitta, Kapha and the three mental energies - Satwa, Rajas,

Ayurveda thus offers a unique blend of science and philosophy that balances the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual components necessary for holistic health.

(See also: Ayurveda , Ayurveda, Ayurvedic Dictionary, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

See also these related archives:

Siddha, Silva Mind Control, Simonton method, Six Healing Sounds, SkyDancing Tantra, Sleep, Snake Style, Soaring Crane Qigong, Soft Tissue Release, Soma Neuromuscular Integration, Somasynthesis, Somatic Dialogue, Somatic emotional therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Somatic Psychology, Somatic therapy, Somato Emotional Release, Somato-emotional Release, Song channeling, Sonopuncture, Sotai, Soul amplification, Soul part integration, Soul reading, Soul retrieval, Soul-centered psychology, Soul-centered therapy, SoulWork, Sound Energetics, Sound Healing, Sound Therapies, Sound Touch Therapy, Sour, Spa Therapies, Spatial Dynamics, Spinal Attunement Technique, Spinal balancing, Spinal energy balancing, Spinal Manipulation, Spinal manipulation, Spinal Release, Spinning, Spirit healing, Spirit releasement, Spirit releasement therapy, Spirit surgery, Spirit Taking Form, Spiritual Beauty Care, Spiritual Counseling, Spiritual healing, Spiritual Integration Therapy, Spiritual Massage Healing, Spiritual Medicine Path, Spiritual midwifery, Spiritual psychology, Spiritual psychotherapy, Spiritual Remedies, Spiritual Surgery, Spiritual Therapies, Sports Massage, Sports Medicine, Sports Spa, Spring Dragon Qi Gong, Sri Yantra, St. John,

MUSIC THERAPY

Music therapy is the prescribed use of music by a qualified person to effect positive changes in the psychological, physical, cognitive, or social functioning of individuals who have health or educational problems.

The idea of music as a healing influence that can affect health and behavior is as least as old as the writings of Aristotle and Plato. The 20th century discipline began after World War I and World War II when community musicians of all types, both amateur and professional, went to veterans' hospitals around the country to play for the thousands of veterans suffering both physical and emotional trauma from the wars. The patients' physical and emotional improvements in response to music led the doctors and nurses to request that hospitals hire musicians. 

For children, illness and hospitalizations disrupt normal living patterns, school and important social activities. Music therapy helps to reduce this disruption by providing sensitive, creative interventions--including playing instruments and writing songs. These interventions also offer acute and chronically ill children the chance to learn, express themselves, interact with family and peers and, simply, relax and enjoy themselves. Even parents and siblings can join the fun and experience the benefits. The power of music is documented: Studies have shown that music can influence heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, pain perception, physical health and well-being. Music is loved by young and old.

(See also: MUSIC THERAPY , Alternative Health, Holistic Health, Body Mind and Soul)

nada: (Sanskrit) "Sound; tone, vibration."

Metaphysically, the mystic sounds of the Eternal, of which the highest is the transcendent or Soundless Sound, Paranada, the first vibration from which creation emanates. Paranada is so pure and subtle that it cannot be identified to the denser regions of the mind. From Paranada comes Pranava, Aum, and further evolutes of nada. These are experienced by the meditator as the nadanadi shakti, "the energy current of sound," heard pulsing through the nerve system as a constant high-pitched hum, much like a tambura, an electrical transformer, a swarm of bees or a shruti box.

Listening to the inner sounds is a contemplative practice, called nada upasana, "worship through sound," nada anusandhana, "cultivation of inner sound," or nada yoga. The subtle variations of the nadanadi shakti represent the psychic wavelengths of established guru lineages of many Indian religions. Nada also refers to other psychic sounds heard during deep meditation, including those resembling various musical instruments. Most commonly, nada refers to ordinary sound.

See: Aum, nadi, pranava, sound, healing sound, vibrational healing

(See also: Nada , Hinduism, Body Mind and Soul)