In Part II of this two-part talk, Zach explores the role of the breath in our meditation and yoga practice. The path of mantra yoga taps us into the energy of sound, and helps us to transcend the mind and discover something greater than the continuous movement of thinking. Learning Sanskrit is a beautiful practices that helps us to go deeper into the spiritual teachings of Buddhism, Jainism, Hinduism, Vedanta, and Yoga.
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Quotes from the episode:
“He who knows the secret of sound, knows the mystery of the whole universe.”
– Hazrat Inayat Khan
“In Sanskrit, even the sounds which make the word for “I” are consciously selected. AHAM. “A” is the first spoken sound, as well as the first sound of the Sanskrit alphabet. It can be discovered by breathing, in and with the mouth slightly open, releasing the breath with sound that requires minimal effort. It naturally arises in the throat before the articulation of all other sounds. “HA” is the last letter of the Sanskrit alphabet. After all the systematic patterns created by the movement of the tongue and lips have produced in perfect order all the other letters of the alphabet, the final sound is “HA”. It also is the only consonant sound that moves by the power of the breath alone, and the only consonant in exact proximity to “A”. The final letter “M” is the very last sound produced in the mouth, because it occurs due to the closing of the lips. In Sanskrit, AHAM is the beginning, the breath of life which brings forth creation, and the end. And this is expressed not just symbolically by the letters A-H-A-M, but physically, based on their location in the mouth.”
– Vyaas Houston
“Just say the name of God, love will teach you directly.”
– Unknown, a paraphrase of John 4:8
“Starting here, what do you want to remember?
How sunlight creeps along a shining floor?
What scent of old wood hovers, what softened
sound from outside fills the air?
Will you ever bring a better gift for the world
than the breathing respect that you carry
wherever you go right now? Are you waiting
for time to show you some better thoughts?
When you turn around, starting here, lift this
new glimpse that you found; carry into evening
all that you want from this day. This interval you spent
reading or hearing this, keep it for life—
What can anyone give you greater than now,
starting here, right in this room, when you turn around?”
– William Stafford
