08 Aug 11
This was on BBC Radio 4 a few weeks back.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012mzsp
A snapshot of what it's about -
Reverend Richard Coles explores the world of spiritual sound and meditation and tries to understand what it is about certain sounds and chants which gives practitioners a sense of proximity to the Divine.
Richard meets neuroscientist Dr Alan Watkins of Imperial College who has worked with the Dalai Lama and his team in Tibet and found that people who meditate together showed signs of "entrainment" in their brain activity, the same phenomenon that allows flocks of birds or shoals of fish to move together. Is this the sense of "one-ness" people talk about when meditating?
09 Aug 11
Originally posted by Proper KnobSince I meditate alone, I wouldn't know. I wonder how much we tend to entrain with our environment, whatever it is—I suspect that our neurology is quite sensitive to our surroundings, and that this had (has) a pretty high survival value. Entrainment might be a mechanism by which the brain separates natural background noise from something different that then stands out—and that might be a threat. But long-term “immersion” in a particular kind of environment might “groove” our neuro-responses so that they have difficulty adapting to a change (say from a crowded urban environment to a solitary rural one, or vice versa).
This was on BBC Radio 4 a few weeks back.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012mzsp
A snapshot of what it's about -
Reverend Richard Coles explores the world of spiritual sound and meditation and tries to understand what it is about certain sounds and chants which gives practitioners a sense of proximity to the Divine.
Richard meets n ...[text shortened]... o move together. Is this the sense of "one-ness" people talk about when meditating?
09 Aug 11
Originally posted by karoly aczelKaroly,were you chanting Om mechanically when you felt it to be annoying? Please do not chant it mechanically. Remember,Hindus consider it to be the symbol of God.If you cannot put your heart into it i.e.knowing it to be God's symbol,the best thing to do is to stop chanting. There is no need to chant it 108 times,usually recommended for one sitting. If you say Om only once, but wholeheartedly,that should suffice.
Sumtimes it's really annoying (the chanting of "OM" ) 🙂
The usual massed devotional practice is to sing a Bhajan i.e. a song composed by a saint poet.It is often set to a moving tune and contains really extraordinarily wise words,meant as a guidance to the Sadhak.The singing is accompanied at times by Tabla( a percussion instrument consisting of 2 small drums played by fingers) and a harmonium.But most of the times it is accompanied by cymbals-small sized copper ones,one pair or two.The overall effect,at least for Hindus,is good,if not great.
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09 Aug 11
Originally posted by rvsakhadeo108? You are supposed to keep track? No wonder it takes the mind off things.
Karoly,were you chanting Om mechanically when you felt it to be annoying? Please do not chant it mechanically. Remember,Hindus consider it to be the symbol of God.If you cannot put your heart into it i.e.knowing it to be God's symbol,the best thing to do is to stop chanting. There is no need to chant it 108 times,usually recommended for one sitting. If y ...[text shortened]... sized copper ones,one pair or two.The overall effect,at least for Hindus,is good,if not great.
I recommend Music for Zen Meditation,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_for_Zen_Meditation
09 Aug 11
Originally posted by JS357There is an endless string of beads, usually called Rosary and used by Hindus,Muslims,Christians alike.The string contains 108 beads,with the starting bead distinguished from others by having the string come out of the hole and knotted to secure all the beads. You have to turn the beads in your thumb and two next fingers. You do not have to count the beads.When you have done 108,you sense the knotted bead,which has now come back to your thumb. You then stop or go on for another round.
108? You are supposed to keep track? No wonder it takes the mind off things.
I recommend Music for Zen Meditation,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Music_for_Zen_Meditation
It is quite simple,although,initially it can be tiresome.
If you are embarked on a lofty mission like realising God,surely you should not really mind this small chore i.e. turning of the beads.
Instead of listening to somebody's efforts,best to make one's own effort.
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09 Aug 11
Originally posted by rvsakhadeo
There is an endless string of beads, usually called Rosary and used by Hindus,Muslims,Christians alike.The string contains 108 beads,with the starting bead distinguished from others by having the string come out of the hole and knotted to secure all the beads. You have to turn the beads in your thumb and two next fingers. You do not have to count the bead ...[text shortened]... rning of the beads.
Instead of listening to somebody's efforts,best to make one's own effort.
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09 Aug 11
Originally posted by rvsakhadeoThanks, I suppose over time the bead turning would become automatic.
There is an endless string of beads, usually called Rosary and used by Hindus,Muslims,Christians alike.The string contains 108 beads,with the starting bead distinguished from others by having the string come out of the hole and knotted to secure all the beads. You have to turn the beads in your thumb and two next fingers. You do not have to count the bead ...[text shortened]... rning of the beads.
Instead of listening to somebody's efforts,best to make one's own effort.
09 Aug 11
Originally posted by JS357Especially,if you pay attention only to chanting Om.The chant does not have to be uttered.You can chant mentally,also,but in the beginning of doing it mentally you may lose concentration and drop off to sleep!
Thanks, I suppose over time the bead turning would become automatic.
09 Aug 11
1 edit
Originally posted by Proper KnobMy wife and I knew a minister in the United Methodist Church who stated
This was on BBC Radio 4 a few weeks back.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012mzsp
A snapshot of what it's about -
Reverend Richard Coles explores the world of spiritual sound and meditation and tries to understand what it is about certain sounds and chants which gives practitioners a sense of proximity to the Divine.
Richard meets n o move together. Is this the sense of "one-ness" people talk about when meditating?
in his Sunday morning sermon that he would tell a lie if it was to his
benefit. After the sermon one of the women praised this preacher for
his honesty. So unbelievers are invading the organized church at all levels.
Fortunately for the church the majority of the members were not willing to
renew his term or service there.
09 Aug 11
Originally posted by RJHindsThat's very nice. But what exactly does that have to do with the OP?
My wife and I knew a minister in the United Methodist Church who stated
in his Sunday morning sermon that he would tell a lie if it was to his
benefit. After the sermon one of the women praised this preacher for
his honesty. So unbelievers are invading the organized church at all levels.
Fortunately for the church the majority of the members were not willing to
renew his term or service there.
09 Aug 11
Originally posted by Proper KnobI don't think it is nice at all. It may not have anything at all to do with the
That's very nice. But what exactly does that have to do with the OP?
OP, but Christians should be on the alert to not allow false teachings to
enter the church or to allow Satan to influence us.
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09 Aug 11
Originally posted by RJHindsIs it any wonder I make it a point to visit this forum every so often.
I don't think it is nice at all. It may not have anything at all to do with the
OP, but Christians should be on the alert to not allow false teachings to
enter the church or to allow Satan to influence us.
You people really amuse me.
10 Aug 11
Originally posted by RJHindsRon, this is a thread about a BBC Radio 4 broadcast entitled The Power of Om, which i gave a link to above. I really couldn't give a hoot as to what goes on in your oddball church, if you'd like to listen to the broadcast (it's only 30mins long) and give some comments on the content that would be great. But please, stop spamming up the thread with your 'Satan influencing the Church' delusional ramblings.
I don't think it is nice at all. It may not have anything at all to do with the
OP, but Christians should be on the alert to not allow false teachings to
enter the church or to allow Satan to influence us.
Much obliged.