Bhakti Yoga
BHAKTI YOGA
“VIBRATIONAL SOUND MOVING THROUGH BODY”
Embodying Vibration
1. Introduction: A scholarly paper with some narrative
2. Benefits of Vibrational Healing - The Krishna Das Story
3. Arrival at the integration of the systems of the body in Yoga Therapy
a. Design of the Human Body
i. Systemic Nature of the Organism
ii. When a part stops working properly
iii. How to repair damage from chronic maladaptation
b. Vigraham (Decoding) - The parts and associated samskara (suffering)
c. Chakram (Energy Centers - The parts and associated samskara (suffering)
4. How does sound and vibration integrate systemic homeostasis
a. Coordination of systems
b. Rhythmic alignment
c. Brain wave ascension
d. Alignment with universal frequency
e. Chakra blooming
f. Geometric Affiliation
g. Vagal nerve toning
5. Methods of Vibrational Healing - the practice
a. Chanting Ancient Texts
(Bhagavad Gita, Bible, Qur’an)
(Sravana Bhakti - hearing the sounds of celestial teachings)
b. Chanting Devotional Hymns
(Hanuman Chalisa - the comings and goings Hanuman, ancient spiritual teacher Tala‘ al-Badru ‘Alaynā - The Full Moon Rose Over Us
What a Friend We Have in Jesus
Buddhist Precepts
Honest Songs, Noah Gundersen
(Kirtana Bhakti - glorifying the life of a spiritual ancestor or principle)
c. Chanting throughout the day (Bija)
(Smarana Bhakti - remembering the ancestors and principles throughout the day)
d. Selfless Service chanting
(Padasevana Bhakti - remembering the importance of service)
Hanuman Gayatri (enlightenment)
Aum Aanjaneyaaya Vidmahe
Vayu, Puthraaya Dhimahee Thanno
Hanuman Prachodayatha
(Translation: Let us meditate on the joyful spirit of service as told in the
Ramayana which Hanuman {child of the earth, sea, wind, fire and space}
e. Chanting for an adversary
(Archana Bhakti - Muscial perfection)
Om Shantih Shantih Shantih - the Sanskrit peace chant
f. Chanting while practicing Asana (exercising)
(Vandana Bhakti - Counting reverence while exercising)
(Counting in Sanskrit: ekam, dve, treeni, chatvaari, pancha, shat, sapta, ashta, nava, dasha with breath)
g. Chanting while doing mundane work
(Dasya Bhakti - chanting when not in a good mood) Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
Translation: Remove these obstacles from my path
h. Chanting to reunite Siva and Shakti (integrate the masculine and feminine)
Ham Sa So Hum - the Electrical System (Chakra) alignment chant
i. Chanting while walking through a difficult time in life
(Atma Nivedana Bhakti)
Ra Ma Da Sa Sa Say So Hum
j. Singing Bowl Humming (tuning your nerves)
k. Tabla Drumming (learning the Raga-Rhythm)
l. Meditating with beautiful, healing, vibrational music (Indian Flute or Mozart)
6. Conclusions
1. Introduction: A scholarly paper with some narrative
This paper is a scholarly paper and it is different from most scholarly papers. There will be some narrative personal stories in this introduction section. These are designed to illustrate a personally experienced point that sound changes body and mind. Yoga Sutra 2.54: svavishaya asamprayoge chittasya svarupanukara eva indriyanam prayaharaha (sounded phonetically for chanting purposes) means, “Once concentration has been achieved, the senses pull inward and it is possible to explore the inner sensory experience and reach Samadhi.” (24) This is what I have experienced on occasions in my life. I will describe them here. My hope for you is that you find or create an experience for yourself as you read this paper.
YOGA DAS 108 PIECE BAND
Early in my process of recovery of true self, I attended an AA meeting at the Kingdome in Seattle. This football stadium holds 66,000 people. This Alcoholics Anonymous World Convention was held in 1990. I was just 3 years sober, had finally surrendered to my inner-most self that I had become an alcoholic, I was 43 years young and my sponsor took me to the convention so that I could see the miracle of Alcoholics Anonymous and spiritual community. At the end of this meeting with 66,000 recovering alcoholics and their family members, we joined hands and chanted “Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven, give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen.” This was a turning point for me in awakening to the miracle of self-realization. The vibration that my body received from this chant changed me forever.
You will not find me in a cave, isolated from people, finding Moksha (liberation) all by myself. You will find me out and among people who are experiencing life at all different levels. You will find me telling and hearing hard truths sometimes and hoping people stay to get to know me. You will find me loving in the face of conflict and you will find me loving more because of conflict. You will find me hurt and angry for a minute and then quickly moving back to love.
Let’s discuss Yoga for a moment. How does Yoga fit into this article for psychotherapists? The Yoga Sutras describe Eight (Ashtanga) areas required for practice in order for a human to be healthy. Yama: Social Observations; Niyama: Personal Observations; Asana: Exercise; Pranayama: Conscious Breathing; Dharana: concentration; Dhyana: Meditation. The Promise given in the Yoga Sutras (commonly called the very first Psychology Text Book - passed on by word-of-mouth for thousands of years and first written in Sanskrit in 200AD) is serenity, freedom from bondage to selfishness, good health and a full life. Sometimes when I see the positioning of people in psychology it amuses me. Don’t you know that EVERYTHING is borrowed from our ancestors?
Yoga Sutra II.33 says, “vitarka badhane pratipaksha bhavanam,” which translates as “We have the ability to change our mind and the course of our day by choosing the opposite of the old, historical habits in thought, word and action.” (24) Yoga Sutra II.34 says, “vitarkaha himsadayaha krita karika anumoditaha lobha krodha moha purvakaha mrudhu madya adimatraha dukha ajnana ananta phalaha iti pratipaksha bhavanam,” which translates as “Take time to reflect on the course of action, the thoughts and feelings that may be driving them and the consequences they may have. Don’t drive others toward unwholesome actions either.” (24) When we are healthy enough, we can find a different way of thinking about and looking at something disquieting. Bhakti Yoga makes us healthy. It vibrates the body so that all the systems begin to work together as they were meant to do.
I visited India for several months a few years ago and went to Daramshala (McLeod Gang where the Dali Lama lives), in the Indian Himalayas to see Krishna Das in a benefit concert. The day before the concert I was walking along in the village and there was Krishna Das and his friends walking along as well. I asked if I could take my picture with him and he said “Well, first I need to know your name.” I told him my name and said, “your music changed my life.” He said, “My music changed my life too.” The next day while waiting for the concert to start, Krishna Das passed me at the entry door. He said “Hello Marie Louise.” This was a special moment. I felt the light of his attention. I felt he heard me. But it was not really him or me, the physical body, it was the spirit of Love and his devotion to his guru (teacher) Neem Karoli Baba that I felt in that moment. Bhakti (devotional love) in action.
Photo taken by Marie Louise Bosin
When I was a child, according to stories my family told me, I was always about talking to people, always finding myself in others, always curious about everything. I asked difficult questions, I told difficult truths. I told them until someone listened or until they left. I believe this is what I was born to do since I have been doing it since I was old enough to talk. When we traveled, according to my family, I knew every one of the maintenance people at every single hotel before the rest of my family got out of bed in the morning. We traveled Route 66 every summer from 1953 until I became a teenager (and too old to sit in the back seat with my two sisters), probably around 1963. What glorious Bhakti these trips held, fighting with my sisters, worrying when my Father would become Dr. Jekyll and wondering how to soothe Mother when she was angry and sad. I took responsibility for these things for as long as I can remember. I did develop some bad attachment habits along the way which I am busy disabling and undoing now with Psychotherapy, Yoga and Ayurveda. However, what a glorious time in my life this was for me. This is Family Bhakti Yoga in all of its glory. This is devotion to human kind. I still feel it now with my small family here in Redlands, California.
2. Benefits of Vibrational Healing - The Krishna Das Story
To illustrate the benefits of Bhakti, the story of Krishna Das as told in “One Track Heart” and in a New York City Times Blog in 2012 serves the purpose well. Krishna Das (original name Jeff) was lost in the World. He did not connect well with others and he was longing for attachment. He found Cocaine which temporarily gave him a sense of attachment, but as we all know the attachment to drugs is quite temporary. He “found” Ram Das (Dr. Richard Alpert, the famous boss of Dr. Timothy Leary from Harvard). Ram Das had just returned from India studying with Neem Karoli Baba. He took his LSD experiments to India to “see if there was anything to this experience” he had when he was under the influence. He gave Neem Karoli Baba a horse-size dose of LSD and watched as nothing happened. Neem Karoli Baba told him that LSD gave a “temporary entry into Krishna Consciousness but you could not stay there.” He said, “to stay requires LOVE.” Ram Das returned to the United States as a follower of Neem Karoli Baba and began his teachings. There is where Jeff found Richard and both of them were transformed. Eventually, Krishna Das would go to India to meet Neem Karoli Baba and fall deeply in love with him (attachment). Krishna Das was guided to return to the U. S. of America and Sing to Guruji (teacher) from home, which he did. Alas, Guruji left his body before Krishna Das could return to India. Krishna Das went into deep despair, got lost in the World again and stopped singing to Guruji. He then got addicted to Free Base but his Indian “father” visited and pointedly said “promise me you will never use cocaine again!” He stopped using and started singing again at Jivamukti Yoga in New York where he met his manager Nina Rao. But success and fame became obstacles to his success. He was still lost in his samksara (suffering) now. He quit singing again and went back to India where he was instructed to stay until the annual celebration for Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram had passed. On that day, he awoke feeling a sense of peacefulness (a very unfamiliar experience for him). Ultimately he sat near the temple and meditated. Unsure how long he was there, he “awoke” and was no longer disturbed by his samskara. He was at peace with himself and connected to his Guruji again. He returned home and has been singing to Guruji ever since. When he sings, the Bhakti experience happens because there is no personal investment or attachment in his devotion. Everyone in the audience feels the Bhakti and transcends the suffering. Everyone vibrates together as one Ocean of bliss.
3. Integration of the systems of the body in Psychotherapy and Yoga Therapy
The experience described above usually requires time on a spiritual path in order to reach this Moksha. Meanwhile, we still live in a human, physical body. We must follow the guidelines in the Yoga Sutras and continue our Bhakti (whatever direction that takes us) day in and day out just as Krishna Das did, in order to ultimately be free. What is the best way to do this in the U.S. of America? In western medicine we have broken our body into compartments. That is how we are forced to get help for ourselves, in compartments. This compartmentalizing is a good skill, but not in the area of health care. This doctor tells us to do this thing, that doctor tells us to do that thing, this doctor prescribes this medicine, that doctor performs this surgery.
Not many of these doctors ever speak to one another. There is not much coordination of care and the patient gets lost in the confusing set of instructions given by many different medical and health care professionals. Ultimately in the west, a person must become his/her own health care advocate. We must learn to put a Dincharya (daily routine) together that is going to lead us to a healthy body and healthy habits. We have created an unhealthy attachment to a broken system. As Krishnamurti says, “it is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a sick society.”
a. Design of the Human Body
The human body is a system, every cell, every part working together to guarantee and enhance life. In Ayurveda, this fact is clear. We are what we eat, think, say and do. The very tissues of our body (Dahtus) are built from what we eat, think, say and do.
b. Systemic Nature of the Organism (and “system”)
The body is a system (now there is western scientific evidence to prove what the Rishis knew thousands of years ago). From the very tiniest cell in the body, the system coordinates and navigates the project of living. When a doctor says “high blood pressure, pre-diabetic, depression, and obesity,” in the west we tend to think of these as four separate issues that need four separate solutions. But in reality, all of these “symptoms” can be explained by one thing. The way you think about life and the circumstances of life can create stress which will ultimately cause these medical symptoms.
c. When a “part” stops working properly
When one part stops working properly in a system, according to western medicine it is helpful to introduce a pill or shot, to cut the part out, or to tell the patient there is nothing you can do to help him/her. Gather your resources and find a way to help. Don’t work in isolation. Reach out to other professionals who can help you solve the problem. There is nothing that cannot be addressed using Yoga and Ayurveda in conjunction with medical care like Psychotherapy. Awakening the allopathic mind set will be like awakening to Bhakti for the individual. Systemically, we need Bhakti to repair our broken system in the West.
d. How to repair damage from chronic maladaptation (personally and systemically)
The Yoga Sutra “1.13 tatra sthitau yatno bhyasaha” tells us to pick a path and stay on it for a long time (24). We are also instructed that in Yoga Sutra “1.14 sa tu dirgha kala nairantarya satkara adara asevito dridhabhumihi” that it is only when we stay on the path for a long time, practicing with a positive attitude, without giving up hope that we will see the lasting benefits (24). So, let’s begin by understanding the Western body as a system and how Yoga Therapy believes it can help. The body, being a system of integrated parts, cannot be healed part by part. The entire body, mind and spirit must be addressed in a healing process that works. If we approach a body by compartmentalizing, then narcotic drugs for pain, cutting a healthy uterus out of a woman to prevent disease and fusing spines seems like a good idea. In other words, if I take care of this part (symptom) then everything will be OK. After all, this is my specialty and it is what I have been trained to do. Unfortunately, time and again I hear stories from otherwise perfectly healthy people who have good health habits that one spinal surgery leads to another and that despite their uterus being removed they still entered full-blown menopause.
See the Table below for a demonstration of how integrated the human body is and
how to approach a healing process:
You can imagine the physical body with its 40 trillion microscopic cells, each one carefully specialized and working in concert with every other one. This simple “work” would create quite a vibration. Why not use that natural vibration for healing the human body?
e. Suksma - Chakra - The parts and associate samskara (suffering)
Now let’s look at the connections in the subtle body, the body's electrical system.
4. How does sound vibration integrate systemic homeostasis
There are six major ways that vibrations integrate systemic homeostasis. They are listed below.
a. Brain wave ascension - brain waves which are out of sync in trauma and stress are re-aligned and move in synchrony and rhythm. (12)
b. Alignment with universal frequency - we become aligned with the rhythm of the divine or the universal frequency. (1, 4, 20)
c. Chakra blooming - the electrical, energetic system of our body blooms into synchrony with the divine or the universal frequency. (1, 20)
d. Geometric affiliation - we experience a geometric affiliation physically with the divine or the universal frequency. (15, 6, 7)
e. Vagal nerve toning - our vagal nervous system becomes toned and begins to function connecting systems for better body function. (2, 3, 15)
f. The meditational effect of rhythmic sound helps us to achieve moksha by stimulating our mirror neurons to “connect with the ocean of wisdom rather than believing we are a wave.” Rumi(16)
5. Methods of Bhakti Yoga - Practice
It is suggested that the reader stop at each practice strategy and watch/listen to the example given to experience the effect.
a. Chanting Sanskrit texts (Bhagavad Gita - iTunes: The Bhagavad Gita:An essential
Yoga Text, Vol I and II - music for deep meditation, 2009 or Yoga Sutra - iTunes: Yoga Sutra Chanting, Ante, Felicia, Saraswati and Sundary 2014) (Sravana Bhakti)
b. Chanting Devotion - Hanuman Chalisa (Kirtana Bhakti)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJGV9h2AZ0s, (KrishnaDas)
c. Chanting throughout the day - Bija Mantra (Smarana Bhakti)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZULCgCoOjw, (Caroline Carrington)
d. Selflessly service Joyful chanting: Hanuman Gayatri (Padasevana Bhakti) e. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV3W6Uo_rZU, Klankinspiratie Aum Aanjaneyaaya Vidmahe Vayu-puthraaya Dhimahee Thanno Hanuman Prachodayath
f. Chanting for an adversary: OM Shantih Shantih Shantih OM, (Archana Bhakti) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR2ymecu368, Tina Lynn
g. Chanting while practicing asana, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtwXL-25pCo, (Counting in Sanskrit: ekam, dve, treeni, chatvaari, pancha, shat, sapta, ashta, nava, dasha with breath) (Vandana Bhakti)
h. Chanting while doing mundane work (Dasya Bhakti)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk5fHyEQJr0, Om Gam GanapatayeNamaha,
i. Chanting to reunite Siva and Shakti (Sakhya Bhakti)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4JnKS8WmbA, So Ham Shiva Ham Sam
j. Chanting while walking through a difficult time in life (Atma Nivedana Bhakti) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQrs9zlOW1U, Ra Ma Da Sa Say So Hum
k. Singing Bowl humming, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws775LzyqDc l. Tabla Drums (learning the Raga by taping while meditating)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSl03oOe1Pk
m. Meditating with Ohm to beautiful healing music like NativeAmerican Flute https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Icw6hky4wvo or Mozart https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY_9732unbo
6. Conclusion
How does sound apply to a specific illness studied during Yoga Therapy Rx II?
Let’s look at Multiple Sclerosis, a Vata (air and space) oriented illness. In this illness in western description, the body’s immune system turns against it and begins to demyelinate the brain and parts of the central nervous system causing severe physical, psychological and spiritual suffering. In an Ayurvedic sense, the intensity of Pitta (fire and oil - transformation) has settled in Vata (air residing in space - movement) and is destroying a protective layer of the body creating chaos in the movement of nerve impulses. The physical symptoms include discoordination, loss of strength, loss of sensation and in some cases loss of vision. The psychological symptoms are anxiety, depression, extended grief and damage to primary relationships. The spiritual symptoms include identity confusion, redirection of life and loss of confidence all of which lead a person to a “dark night of the soul” experience. The intensity with which the person has conducted life up to this point is no longer working. Identity is closely connected to those Samskaras (or habits that cause suffering). If the person can see this illness as an opportunity for spiritual growth, this provides an opening for Yoga and Ayurveda interventions. The typical personality of a Multiple Sclerosis sufferer is hard driving, risk taking, and conflict ridden. In addition to repairing the body, theses Samskaras must be addressed ultimately in addressing MS with Yoga Therapy.
The Yoga Therapist who is not qualified as psychotherapist will rely on the Yoga Sutras, the very first Psychology textbook, to address these psychological Samskaras. Specifically, YS I.2-11 which describes how Yoga explains how the unmanaged fluctuations of the mind drive one to a misperception of life experience and overload in the nervous system. The Yoga Sutras go on to say that a life driven by fluctuations of the mind create illness in the body and are often driven by historical experiences which strengthen the “I” sense and separate Prakruti (the physical body and its operation) from Purusa (the idea that there is something larger than “I” that can support life). In YS I.28 it is suggested that repetition of a chant (OM) and meditation on its meaning is a way of remembering that there is a connection to
something larger than “I” and that connection is the way to health and beyond suffering. The Yoga Sutras give specific instructions on how to put together a dinacharya (daily schedule of practice) where the body, mind and spirit are all addressed, how to vary that practice day to day and throughout a lifetime and how to connect with a larger sense of self. It describes the idea of Prana as the life force within that feeds life. It also suggests that the manifest world is a place created to serve the human experience so we are free to find our larger connection with a Great Purusa. The Yoga Sutras lay out a program of practice in addressing our dinacharya for daily practice. When we get to the "Sati Mula” or root cause of our habits, understand how they prevent us from freedom and joy and then step by step over a long period of time set our practice in motion using the Ashtanga (eight phase) Yoga played out in YS II.27-54. Chanting these Yoga Sutras daily will assist the sufferer in integrating the principles while at the same time providing the vibrational and musical qualities described in this paper.
In addressing Multiple Sclerosis, the Ashtanga Yoga dinacharya must address the following symptoms, issues or conditions that result from the onset of the illness. The patient is coping with inflammation systemically due to the body’s immune system being on high alert. There may be neuro-sensitivity around the body due to axon exposure and they have an illness prone to relapse which means that dramatic changes must be made in order to assist the healing process. Re-myelination is the cure for the illness, but medical treatments alone often cause scarring and incomplete healing so that the body is left with resulting limitations and disabilities. The most likely trigger of the illness is a viral infection which takes hold in the body due to stress. The illness most often occurs during the productive phase of life (child bearing, career developing). An examination by a neurologist and medical treatment for the illness is critical. Once that has been established, then a Yoga Therapy program can be helpful in the following ways. A Yoga Therapy solution will be three-phased and include careful instructions about the importance of avoiding over-working and fatigue.
During an attack, the physical body must rest. Any restorative yoga position or comfortable body position will produce good effects. Most of the day, the patient must be resting. This means that during an attack, life as the patient knows it stops. The patient must seek assistance from loved ones and ask for help with obligations when necessary. While resting, this is the perfect time to apply the Bhakti Yoga principles discussed earlier in this paper. A soft, cooling chant with full breath will be calming and soothing to the mind and body. Gentle, repetitive music such as the Hanuman Chalisa or Mozart for Healing will be helpful in encouraging the central nervous system to calm down and heal itself. During the chanting, Sankalpa practice and visualization of healing is also indicated to keep the mind focused in a positive direction. Application of oil to the body is also indicated. This application can be consistent throughout the day with the patient applying the oil systemically in a soothing, massage-like fashion to reconnect the sensory experience.
During remission, the Yoga solution must be a Langhana (gentle, slow and cool) solution. This will include a strengthening practice of Chandra Namaskara (moon salutation or cooling movement) with focus on full breath with awareness at the pause between inhale and exhale in the morning repeated five times. The introduction of Ujjayi (Fire breath using glottal restriction) with long exhales to address any stressful situations that may arise plus a regular morning pranayama practice that includes ten Bramhari (bumble bee breath) for elevating consciousness, ten Utgeet (inhale to Hari, exhale to OM) in order to direct the mind and two sets of ten Bastrika (bellows breath) with Gyana Mudra (index finger to thumb with palms up) to combat depression. A restorative practice in the evening before bed will include five asana held five minutes each with support as needed and breath. Asana indicated will be asymetrical and cross-lateral. Bed time prior to 10:00pm with no electronics past 9:00pm will be encouraged. Once in bed, a conscious belly breath awareness will assist in sound and restful sleep. Dietary changes will include education about the Ayurvedic effects of food on the body and information about how to adjust the diet daily, monthly, seasonally and in the course of life. Also, continued application of oil especially after showering in the morning is indicated. Since Castor Oil has analgesic properties, mouth pooling with a high quality Castor Oil for a few minutes and then swallowing the Oil may help with pain.
The third phase of treatment will address ongoing issues specifically. For example, dis coordination and balance can be improved using a slow-walking virabhadraana (warrior pose) and a supported vrkasana (tree pose). Discomfort in the hands and feet can be treated with articulate arm, leg and hand movements with breath, oil massage of the hands and feet with attention and breath and finger nyasam (movement - slide each finger along the palm) for counting pranayama. Addressing attention deficits may include audio taping your practice and then using the audio to assist you, practicing with a family member or friend or finding a sangha where you can chant and do your chandra namasakara (sun salutation - a warming moving practice) and restorative (meditational poses) practice a few times a week. Sound vibration will be an important factor in all of the above practice. The patient can direct sound internally or externally generated in and around the body and this will lead to a more complete and successful recovery.
According to the literature listed in my bibliography, the guarantee is that if you create vibrations with your mouth, your hands, your body and your heart, your body will heal. What is so wonderful about Yoga is the simplicity. The hard part is the samskaras (suffering). Because they are habits, they are difficult to address. We stubbornly hold on to them as if we would disappear if we let go. As a Yoga Therapist, we must inhabit the following qualities when working with distressed people. If you cannot embody these attitudes while working
with sick and suffering people, you are probably burnt out and need to take a break to take care of yourself.
Safe: Safety is the basis of a loving relationship. This means I have freedom to be myself and freedom from abuse. The knowing is “I will not be hurt here.”
Defended: Agree or disagree, you will not turn against me or side with others in a disrespectful way. The saying is “I am not alone and you will stand by me.” Supported: Agree to offer encouragement during the hard times and the easy times, during the growth times and the dreamy times. The saying is “I count as a person, I am valued.” Belonging: The other is given admission to your inner World where you can share dreams, feelings, thoughts and hurts without fear of betrayal. The saying is “I am included and a part of a team.”
Nurtured: Tell me I occupy an important place in your life. This requires a willingness to sometimes move beyond your comfort zone. Knowing is “I matter to you and I can tell that through your actions and words.”
Accepted: No one is perfect and everyone is perfect. Instead of prodding me to be other than I am, welcome me into your life knowing that we will both grow and change in our life together. The knowing is “I am greeted with hospitality and exactly as I am.” Special: Your commitment to me is important to you. You chose to have faith in me and be faithful to me because you want to. You surrender to the commitment. The knowing is “I am special to you. I am prized by you.” (11)
If we are able to give these things to our patients/clients, we “Hold a Space” (18) for them to do the difficult work that must be done to dismantle the samskaras (suffering) and replace them with healthy habits. Bhakti is an important factor in this process. The meditational effects of sound on the human body are well documented and have a lengthy history in culture. The ultimate goal of Yoga is to manage the fluctuations of the mind so that the practitioner may find Moksha through Samadhi. Ultimately, all practice leads us to this freedom or Moksha.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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(14) Meyer, William L; Neff, Georgia; and Garfield-Obrien, Lauren. A Summaryof Sound Therapy and Vibrational Healing Concepts, Book I, Healing Sounds, 2003. (15) Molinar-Szakacs, Istvan, and Overy, Katie. Music and Mirror Neurons: From Motion to e’motion. Oxford Journals, http://scan.oxfordjournals.org/content/1/3/235. full, 2006.
(16) Patel, Sanjay. Ramayana: Divine Loophole, Chronicle Books, 2010. (17) Plett, Heather. What it means to Hold a Space for People,” March 2011. (18) Ruhl, A. Glial Cells in the gut. Blackwell Publishing Ltd., 2005 (19) Stevens, Christine. Music Medicine: The Science and Spirit of Healing Yourself with Sound, Sounds True, 2012.
(20) Stringer, Dave. Hey Shiva Shankara Hey Maheshwara,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyXPcNABEOI, 2014.
(21) van der Kolk, Bessel A.; Stone, Laura; West, Jennifer; Rhodes, Alison; Emerson, David; Suvak, Michael; and Spinazzola, Joseph. Yoga as an Adjunctive Treatment for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Randomized ControlledTrial, Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 2014.
(22) Wikipedia. Brief descriptions of the systems and functions ofthe human body, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_body, 2016.
(23) Yoga Sutra Quotes: Desikachar, TKV. Yoga Sutras of Patangali, Contained in The Heart of Yoga, Inner Traditions/Bear & Co., 1999. All Yoga Sutra Quotes are stimulated by personal translation, TKV Desikachar and Nischala Joy Devi’s The Secret Power of Yoga, A Woman’s Guide to the Yoga Sutras.
Musical YouTube Connections:
Yoga Sutra - iTunes: Yoga Sutra Chanting, Ante, Felicia, Saraswati and Sundary 2014)
Bhagavad Gita - iTunes: The Bhagavad Gita: An essential Yoga Text, Vol I and II - music for deep meditation, 2009
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJGV9h2AZ0s, Krishna Das, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZULCgCoOjw, Caroline Carrington, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OV3W6Uo_rZU, Klankinspiratae, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BR2ymecu368, Tina Lynn, 2008 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtwXL-25pCo, Lakshya Yoga, 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk5fHyEQJr0, Lehern Works, 2013 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ws775LzyqDc, Devries 101, 2011 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4JnKS8WmbA, Shanti Mandir, 2015 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQrs9zlOW1U, Snatam Kaur, 2014 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Icw6hky4wvo, Yellow Brick Cinema, 2012
