Nada Yoga

Nada means the flow of sound and Yoga means Union. Nada is called by different names - shabda, surat, nam, akashwani, dhun, nad-i-asmani, vani, logos, sraosha (in Zoroastrianism) etc. Nada Yoga is the process of the union of the individual mind with cosmic consciousness through the flow of sounds. Nada is also called Shabd or word and is produced either by striking two objects known as Ahat Nad or without striking two objects which is called Anahat Nad.
 
Nada Yoga as such is yogic practices which use sound to expand awareness. It is a powerful practice of tracing sound back through its psychic and subtle manifestation to the source. Nada is sound of chidakasha. It is a technique to turn the perception of hearing inwards to listen the pure sound of your inner spirit. This sacred sound practice also utilizes chanting Sanskrit mantra and listening to meditative external music like Indian classical music.
 
Pythagoras conceived that the whole universe and each individual is connected with the single string, the lower end to gross matter and at the upper end to pure consciousness. Modern science has postulated that everything in the universe is composed of wave forms, vibrating at different frequencies.
 
Different levels of nada:
The following fourfold classification has been given in the ancient texts:

1. Vaikhari – This is the grossest form of sound that is heard in the world around us. This sound is produced by striking two objects.
2. Madhyama – This form of nada is more subtle than Vaikhari. It is midway between the grossest nada and the more subtle nada. In nada sadhana the aim is to hear sounds associated with this level.
3. Pasyanti – this nada can be seen but not heard. The sound has different specific colours which can be seen by inner vision. It exists in the deeper layers of the mind beyond the range of audible nada.
4. Para – This is transcendental sound. It is the nada that is heard in states of super consciousness. It is way beyond normal levels of perception. It is silent sound. It is associated with the state of samadhi. It is called the anahata nada – the unstruck sound and is beyond all conceptualization.

 
Nada Yoga, an ancient Spiritual practice:
Sri Gorakhnatha (a great yogi) described various types of laya yoga (method of raising the kundalini). Amongst these nadanusandhana (discovering the source of nada) is the best. By this the brahma granthi is pierced and a wonderful bliss arises from the void. A tinkling sound can be heard emanating from the anahata chakra. Nada yoga is an important sadhana of many sects such as Radha Soami Satsang, Kabirpanthis etc. it is praised in Adi Granth (holy scripture in Sikhism).
 
In early stages of the practice, the aspirant hears gross, loud sounds. Gradually more subtle sounds are heard. The sounds are like those of the ocean, clouds…. Nada Bindu Upanishad. The nada from the flute is heard which arises from the underlying consciousness. The preferred time is midnight. The practise of Nada Yoga is done as follows:
 
Technique - I

1. Sitting in any of the traditional meditative asanas:
2. While sitting in any of the traditional meditative asanas, ears are plugged with the index fingers, other fingers are clinched and the elbows held sideways & horizontal.
3. Squat on a rolled-up mattress. The mattress must be sufficiently firm and round so that it presses perineum. Rest the elbows on the knees and place the palms on each side of the head. The thumbs should be gently and firmly pushed into the ears.
4. Bhramari Pranayama – Bhramari means “bee”. Breathe in slowly & deeply; while breathing out make a humming bee sound. The humming bee sound should be smooth and continuous. The exhalation should be slow & controlled and humming sound be for entire duration. One should hear the sound vibrating within the head. Repeat the process.
5. Listening the subtle inner sound – continue to keep the eyes & ears closed. Try to hear the sound in the head and fix awareness on it to the exclusion of other sounds. This is vehicle of awareness. Gradually through practice the sensitivity will increase. Eventually, one will hear another sound, a faint sound, in the background, focus on it. This will further increase the sensitivity of perception. Eventually, one will hear another faint sound emerging from behind the louder sound. In this manner the perception will become progressively more sensitive.   

 
Technique - II

• Sit in Siddhasana, do shambhavi mudra, close ears, eyes, the nostrils and mouth and listen carefully to the inner sound in the right ear.

 
Technique – III – Shanmukhi mudra (the attitude of the seven gates)

1. Sit in any comfortable meditative asana. Relax the whole body.
2. The ears should be closed with the thumbs, the eyes with the index fingers, the nostrils with the middle fingers and mouth by placing the ring and small fingers above and below the lips respectively.
3. Throughout the practice, the middle fingers should release the nostrils during inhalation and exhalation. Inhale deeply and slowly. Then close the nostrils. Retain the breath (antar kumbhaka) as much comfortable. Release the breath. Repeat.
4. Try to hear the sounds at the region of the back of the head (bindu), in the middle of the head or the right ear. In beginning, one hears many sounds. Continue it.
5. When one hears a distinct sound be totally aware of it. It becomes clearer and clearer. Keep the awareness fixed on the sound.
6. Gradually the awareness should be fixed at the back of the head (bindu).

 
There four stages of attainment of the practice: beginning, continuation, ripening and culmination. In the beginning stage, brahmagranthi (associated with mooladhara chakra) is pierced and bliss appears from voidness. A sound like tinkling ornaments can be heard in the anahata chakra. Then the vishnugranthi (associated with anahata chakra) is pierced and bliss arises together with the sound of the bheri and vimarda (two kinds of musical instruments). In the last stage the prana enters the ajna chakra and pierces the rudra granthi and the sound of vina (flute) and a flute can be heard. The awareness should be fixed on the sound until it becomes soundless. This is the state super consciousness.
 
Reference: A systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya – by Swami Satyananda Saraswati