what is the significance of form /shape in prayers and worship
what is the significance of form /shape in prayers and worship
Can one imagine "Akasha" or "Space" - if you close your eye and try to imagine Akasha /Space, only some object comes to mind but not the space. Note that all objects including us are infact residing in space - "is there space in the house or the house is in the space ?"... "What is space ?"... "How can one grasp space ?"... "What is behind space (not in the space)?"...
So grasping and concentration on space itself is not possible for the untrained - the Brahman in Saguna aspect (all encompasing form). So we have to start with the gross and mature towards the subtle. From solid to liquid to transforming to gasious to space. Which means to start at first one or many form-shapes (visual), then just one, may be later an aspect of that one and from there (to those whe are matured) to an abstract formless form (no specific shape - linga - an indication), then later a mantra (no visual but sound- with meaning), then totally abstract sound not produced outwardly (bija mantras- no meaning) - then at an advanced stage, only when one is matured, goes into contemplation of formless /shapeless /soundless - deep silence - the nirguna brahman. - Finally there is no contemplation but simply merging into it - This merging is called yoga.
If one starts in this abstract formless - total silence - initially itwill be boring and leads to sleep (this is a natural mechanism of the mind to prevent damage) yet if one is adament and prevents sleep etc. in the initial stage then one can get into psychosis or even neurosis - this mistake is committed by some and have become insane.
Can one imagine "Akasha" or "Space" - if you close your eye and try to imagine Akasha /Space, only some object comes to mind but not the space. Note that all objects including us are infact residing in space - "is there space in the house or the house is in the space ?"... "What is space ?"... "How can one grasp space ?"... "What is behind space (not in the space)?"...
So grasping and concentration on space itself is not possible for the untrained - the Brahman in Saguna aspect (all encompasing form). So we have to start with the gross and mature towards the subtle. From solid to liquid to transforming to gasious to space. Which means to start at first one or many form-shapes (visual), then just one, may be later an aspect of that one and from there (to those whe are matured) to an abstract formless form (no specific shape - linga - an indication), then later a mantra (no visual but sound- with meaning), then totally abstract sound not produced outwardly (bija mantras- no meaning) - then at an advanced stage, only when one is matured, goes into contemplation of formless /shapeless /soundless - deep silence - the nirguna brahman. - Finally there is no contemplation but simply merging into it - This merging is called yoga.
If one starts in this abstract formless - total silence - initially itwill be boring and leads to sleep (this is a natural mechanism of the mind to prevent damage) yet if one is adament and prevents sleep etc. in the initial stage then one can get into psychosis or even neurosis - this mistake is committed by some and have become insane.
beautiful...
ReplyDeletethanks for the great explanation...
ReplyDeleteAKAASHA IS EXPLIANED INMAHABARATH AND OTHER SCRIPTURES . AAKAASHA IS NIRGUNA AND NIRAAKAARA. IT IS JUST ABOVE ALL . IT CAN ONLY BE FELT WHEN ONE ENCOMPASSES THE BRAHMA ;THERE ARE VERY VERY FEW GREAT MEN WHO EXPERIENCE SUCH A TRUTH, LIKE RAMAKRISHNA PARAMAHAMSA, BABAAJI, YOGIES IN HIMALAYAAS ,WHOM WE MAY NOT EVEN RECOGNISE, EVEN IF COME ACROSS.
ReplyDeleteAkasha is not nirguna (niraakaara I accept) - in Nyaya shastra and in Veda - akasha has Shabda as its quality (Guna). शब्दगुणकमाकाशम् (न्यायसूत्रम्)
ReplyDeletethank you for the correction. you are right.
ReplyDelete