Discussion
of how this ancient sound, aum, can change the world for the
better.
Modern
science has impacted mankind in a short span of time. Overdependence
on technology and scientific achievements has made the use of
the body and brain less important, creating new problems.
One
is the vast inner emptiness that strikes at the heart of the
individual and affects him psychologically. This mental imbalance
is at the root of the world's problems and violence. We are living
in a fear-orientated world. Not only do individuals distrust
and fear individuals but nations do the same. The arms race consumes
money that could wipe out poverty, yet man has to realize that
he has no enemy but himself. Man has got to learn the important
lesson of how to live with himself. There will have to be a convergence
between the material and spiritual and sciences, a marriage between
the head and the heart, in order to experience the grandeur and
beauty of the world and the riches it has to offer.
For
such a convergence, there is no firmer foundation than the sacred
sound Aum (usually pronounced Om).
Scientists
theorize that this world emerged from sound - the "Big Bang".
Our Hindu Rishis many thousands of years earlier said the same
thing - Om is the primal sound from which everything has been
created, sustained and transformed.
Our
Vedas say: "Om is the imperishable syllable. Om is the universe,
and this is the exposition of Om. The past, the present and the
future, all that is, all that will be, is Om. Likewise, all else
that exists beyond the bounds of time, that too is Om," (Mandukya
Upanishad).
This
definition of Om gives the idea that the universe is one indivisible
whole. Everything is interdependent. Om stands both for the psychic
and material principles of life. This realization can save our
world from the impending danger of dogmatism and materialism
oriented by competition and the profit motive. The arms race
consumes money that could wipe out poverty, yet man has to realize
that he has no enemy but himself.
This
vision gives members of the Indic religions - Hindus, Buddhists,
Jains and Sikhs - a friendlier attitude towards nature and a
less aggressive attitude generally. Their common heritage grew
from a civilization that is basically tolerant of diverse views,
and an inclusive approach to the ultimate Goal or God. Their
common name for God is Om or Omkar. Om represents this wholeness
of approach. By meditating on Om, different levels of our being,
as they occur in our existence and are reflected in the universe,
become integrated. This integration is necessary for us to experience
the harmony of life as it exists in the world. The effect of
the sound of repeating Om is known to have limitless psychotherapeutic
value, bringing inner peace and liberation from suffering.
For
millennia, Hindu sages have been repeating It and attaining transcendental
states of realization, experiencing the oneness of life. Today
we have no other choice if we want to save ourselves from self-destruction.
Begin with concentration to gather the disintegrated personality
together. Focus on the transcendental Reality and merge the mind
as an arrow with its object. In our Vedas, the Mandukya Upanishad
advises: "Take up the great bow found in the Upanishad. Fix in
it an arrow sharpened by constant meditation. Then draw the string
with a mind absorbed in concentration. Hit, O good-looking one,
the target that is the Immutable or Goal."
It
is unfortunate that we are living in a violent world where people
have become prisoners in their own home. It is important that
those who believe in peace and mutual coexistence assert themselves
in a positive way. It is time to awake and arise, otherwise the
negative attitudes and behaviour will continue to hold the world
to ransom. There will have to be a convergence between the material
and spiritual and sciences, a marriage between the head and the
heart, in order to experience the grandeur and beauty of the
world and the riches it has to offer.The way to do this is to
become united. We have to free our world from fear and poverty
by sharing our resources and visions. We can do it.
At
the moment Hindus are not fully aware of this, and they think
and live in isolation. The Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs
who live in peace do not realize that they form more than one-quarter
of the world's population. This vast section cannot be ignored
if they are united. Today people in authority notice only those
who shout or raise fists. The new millennium will be different.
The silent majority are going to assert themselves in a peaceful
way. They will be taken notice of because they will stand together.
Unity with a strong moral basis is going to prove more powerful
than the barrel of a gun. With the modern systems of communication
we can establish the spirit of fraternity and friendship among
thousands of temples, organizations and important individuals.
What is necessary is to co-ordinate the tiny forces that are
already there into a dynamic system to work for the good of humanity.
On
the basis of Om, we already have a formula acceptable to all,
which is both creative and dynamic, to unify the collective consciousness
of all who believe in peace and mutual coexistence to manifest
the humanity in man, to make him aware of his position in creation
as a responsible being and not to lord it over others. Om Tat
Sat Hari Om.
Reprinted
with the kind permission of Share International Magazine.
Authors
Details: Devi
Linda Gumahin interviews
Swami Nirliptananda
'
The unifying power of Aum / Om'
Swami
Nirlipananda is a senior Swami in one of the temples of
the Asian community in London, deeply acquainted with the
teachings of Maitreya.
|
|
