CONCENTRATION ON SOUND
There are those who concentrate on the hearing of a sound -- not any physical sound but sound from the subtle plane. The Maharshi did not disapprove of this but reminded them to hold on to the Self and find out who it is that hears the sound. The concentration achieved is good but does not in itself lead far enough. Enquiry also is needed.A Gujarati gentleman said that he was concentrating on sound (nada) and desired to know if the method was right.
B.: Meditation on nada is one of the various approved
methods. Its adherents claim a very special virtue for it. According to them it is the easiest and most direct method. Just as a child is lulled to sleep by lullabies, so nada soothes one to the state of samadhi. Again, just as a king sends his state musicians to welcome his son on his return from a long journey, so also nada takes the devotee into the Lord's abode in a pleasing manner.
Nada helps concentration, but after it begins to be felt, the practice should not be made an end in itself. Nada is not the objective; the subject should firmly be held. Otherwise a blank will result. Though the subject is there even in the blank one must remember his own Self. Nada Upasana (meditation on sound) is good; it is better if associated with Self-enquiry.1
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