Music of the

Spheres
 What is Music?

The word Music derives from Greek mousike- art of the Muses (female
dancing divinities). It is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. The
music of the Greeks did not signify merely the harmony of sounds, but
actually embodied the idea of inner harmony of the spirit, the becoming at
one with the spirit of the Muses, so that the soul responded in harmonic
rhythm to the beat of universal harmony.
The Muses danced in a sacred grove in bright places adorned with works
of art. The Muses and Graces, who are also goddesses, unite in dance under
the direction of Apollo. The seeker climbed Mount Helicon from a dark valley
towards the light where the Muses were dancing. He ascended from
confusion in the valley and drew towards the light and clarity of divine "One."
As the climber reached great heights he could see breathtaking vistas and
hear the choral music of the Muses. Enchanted by the divine music, he joined
the dance. The poet or the musician who danced with the Muses descended
the mountain inspired by the laws of beauty, harmony and grace.
 What is Music?

Apollo, uniting the attributes of the sun, bears in his hand a heptachord
or seven-stringed lyre (corresponding to septenates). From it, God evoked the
harmony that governs the worlds in their motions. One of its
correspondences is the seven sacred planets, Apollo being the sun.
Music is represented as having been taught to man by Apollo, Isis-Osiris,
Thoth, Edris (in the Koran), Confucius etc. Music was represented as one of
four divisions of mathematics, the others being arithmetic, astronomy and
geometry.
Music is a striving for harmony in life combined with aesthetic, in contrast
with intellectual and physical branches of study. While we have the power to
be enraptured by harmony and melody, we can also learn how these are
related to numbers, ratios, vibrations, and all the physical facts studied in
acoustics and the laws of modern musical harmony . Harmony and rhythm
underlie the cosmos, as is expressed in the phrase, Music of the Spheres;
and number and proportion underlie the whole process of evolution.
 Elements of Music

The common elements of music are pitch (which governs melody and
harmony), rhythm (and its associated concepts- tempo, meter and
articulation), dynamics and the sonic qualities (timbre and texture).
A music genre is a conventional category that identifies pieces of music as
belonging to a shared tradition or a set of conventions. Among the criteria
often used to classify musical genres are: the trichotomy of- art, popular and
traditional, time period, regional and national origins, technique and
instrumentation, fusional origins and social function.
Music reflects the harmonies and the moral order of the universe and
therefore, has a divine origin. It can embody objective realities and manifest
intrinsic values and is not just about subjective personal taste or the passing
fads of a culture. Music formulated according a higher order suggests to the
listener that the heavens, the earth and nature embody orderly forms, and
manifest a divine beauty and harmony which reflects the Creator.
The border between music and noise can only be culturally determined.
 How Music affects us

Music is said to have the ability to affect our emotions, intellect,

and psychology; it can assuage our loneliness or incite our passions.
Plato suggests in the Republic that music has a direct effect on the soul.
Likewise, the great musicians are also known to have been mystics.
Music arouses in us a power which needs to be controlled, as it can carry
us to heights from which we may fall. If regarded as a sensual indulgence, its
true import is not realized. If carried into our lives, so as to aid in harmonizing
our relationships to others, then it is the unfolding influence of the real music
of cosmic harmony, for music is "the most divine and spiritual of arts.
Moderate noise levels increase processing difficulty, which promotes
abstract processing, leading to higher creativity. Not only can we push thru
pain to exercise longer and harder when we listen to music, but it can actually
help us to use our energy more efficiently. Children with 3 years or more
musical instrument training, performed better in auditory discrimination
abilities, fine motor skills, vocabulary and nonverbal reasoning skills.
 Music affects many
different areas of the brain
 Music through
the Ages
The flutes of Krishna & Rumi are well-known. Dante heard Music of the
Spheres as he ascended thru 9 concentric crystalline spheres of heaven.
Pythagoras discovered that exact ratios of vibrating string produce
harmonies. He concluded that music is the ordering principle of the world.
Aristotle theorized that the planets and stars are set upon concentric
crystalline spheres which rotate around the earth. He said that the
heavenly spheres are arranged in harmonic ratios. Each sphere produces a
musical tone, and the revolution of the various spheres in concert produces
harmonies and melodies. The Music of the Spheres vibrates through the
world and we can participate in the harmony of the universe through it.
After Copernicus discovered that earth revolved around sun, Music of
the Spheres ended up becoming a metaphor. During Renaissance, artists,
poets and musicians would climb mountains believing in the spheres and
muses as higher metaphysical states of being, if not as real entities. One of
Hesiod became God and Logos of Pythagoras became Christ.
 Music through
the Ages
The influence of intense rationalism in philosophy led to the
development of the techniques of harmony, which were mastered in the
era of Bach and Handel. Mozart struck a balance between melody and
harmony. Beethovens melodies often soared with such sublimity or struck
with lightning flashes of passion that melody dominated harmony.
Haydn spanned from the late Baroque to the early Romantic eras of
music composition. Beethoven wrote many purely classical pieces, but his
melodies often soared with such sublimity or struck with lightning flashes
of such passion that the melody dominated the harmony in a new way.
For 2,500 years music in the west had a shared concept of reality. But by
early 20th cent., music had begun to collapse into nihilism and lose its
tonality. It was re-conceptualized so completely that it could no longer be
even called music, i.e. with melody, harmony and rhythm. Without a
Music of the Spheres' to approximate, modern music, like the other arts,
had begun to unravel.
 Part 1:
Outer Music
 Outer Music

Devotional music and poetry is an outpouring of the soul. Samaveda is

the earliest known musical work. Psalms of the Bible are considered its
counterpart. Use of intoned chants of mantras is also popular among
several Hindu, Buddhist (e.g. Tibetian) & Christian (e.g. Gregorian) orders.
Instruments such as Ghunghru, Bell, Gong, horned Narsinga or Shofar,
Conch, Flute, Algoza, Been, Kingri, Singi, Tabla, Mridang, Rabab, Daf, Nagara
are all considered sacred sounds. Japanese Buddhist drums, Sufi Qawwalis
and the music of the Dancing Darveshes are well-known.
Music therapy is an interpersonal process in which the therapist uses
music and all of its facets- physical, emotional, mental, social, aesthetic and
spiritual- to help clients to improve or maintain their health.
Music is today considered a common means of entertainment and
relaxation. No human celebration is ever considered complete without
music. Crafting musical instruments has been a specialized craft; synthetic
instruments & equipment to record and deliver music are high technology.
 Devotional Music

Every religious service is based on ritual practices that occur in a specific

order. Music is often played as a marker indicating shifts in and between
phases of a religious service.
Most religious services are conducted in group settings. Group singing
connects people within a congregation, establishing a sense of unity in their
worship and invoking an emotional bond with the group and with God.
In several religions such as Sikhism, Judaism and Islam, singing and
chanting scriptural words in the original language aloud is considered the
devotees highest prayer and offering.
Intoning certain mantras and chants are integral to some of the Hindu
and Buddhist rituals. These are aimed at invoking the presence of a specific
deity, oftentimes for achieving a specific goal. Practitioners of Black Magic
have their own mantras as well and use them for destructive purposes.
Devotional music may be used prior to meditation, in order to turn ones
mind away from outer world and a awaken spiritual longing.
 Types of Music

Various elements in music include: pitch, beat, rhythm, melody, harmony,

texture, allocation of voices, timbre or color, expressive qualities, form and
structure. It can be Vocal or purely Instrumental (string, percussion or wind).
Classical music- Hindustani & Carnatic in India and Western music such as
Baroque, Classical, Romantic, symphonies, concertos and solo works is
played in concert halls or as accompaniment to classical dance (e.g. Waltz)
and theatre. The semi-classical music in India is largely devotional (Bhajans).
Then, there is the highly popular music- Indian Bollywood music, and in the
west, Rock music- such as jazz, blues, soul and country, performed in bars
and nightclubs, where the audience may freely express themselves.
Music can also be divided in accordance with the qualities or Gunas- Sato,
Rajo & Tamo. In general, largely Tamo-gunic music such as the beat-intensive
Rock (derived from the Voodoo tradition, brought by the African slaves to
America) and dance traditions such as the largely expressive Hip-hop appear
to predominate todays audience preferences.
 Blues fans have high self-esteem,
are creative, outgoing, gentle and at
ease.
Jazz fans have high self-esteem,
are creative, outgoing and at ease.
Classical music fans have high self-
esteem, are creative, introvert and
at ease.
Rap fans have high self-esteem
and are outgoing.
Opera fans have high self-esteem,
are creative and gentle.
Country and western fans are
hardworking and outgoing.
Reggae fans have high self-
esteem, are creative, not
hardworking, outgoing, gentle and
at ease.
Dance fans are creative and
outgoing but not gentle.
Correspondence of
Music Genres to
Personality
Indie fans have low self-esteem,
are creative, not hard working, and
not gentle.
Bollywood fans are creative and
outgoing.
Rock/heavy metal fans have low
self-esteem, are creative, not hard-
working, not outgoing, gentle, and at
ease.
Chart pop fans have high self-
esteem, are hardworking, outgoing
and gentle, but are not creative and
not at ease.
Soul fans have high self-esteem,
are creative, outgoing, gentle, and at
ease.
 Indian Music

With origins in the Vedas (Sama-veda)

Indian music forms one of worlds oldest
unbroken musical traditions. Bharats
Natya-shastra laid down principles of
music, dance and drama.
Rga (melody) & Tla (rhythm), besides
Shruti, Swara & Alankar comprise its basic
pillars. Sitar and Tabla are two of its best-
known musical instruments.
Besides the classical Hindustani &
Carnatic music, is Thumri & Dadra, and
also, Rabindra Sangeet of Bengal. Bhangra
of Punjab is a lively dance-music form.
Ghazal and Qawwali are of Sufi/Persian
origin. A strong folk music tradition also
exists. Recent Indipop, Indirock, Indojazz
and the like are of western origin.
 Composition
of Music
A scale in Western music consists of l2
steps in an octave. These 12 steps are
comprised of whole and half-steps. In
Arabia, a scale has 17 steps in an octave,
and the Indian scale consists of 22 steps.
The reason that the Arabic and Indian
scale have so many notes is because their
scales are made up of microtones or
intervals smaller than a half step.
Indian classical music is always set in a
rga. Gurbani compositions are also set to
rgas. A rga uses a series of five or more
musical notes upon which a melody is
constructed. Each rga is associated with
different times of the day, with seasons or
with mood. There are over 250 rgas, of
which 20 are the main ones.
 Music of the
Spheres
In ancient times, music was represented as one of four divisions of
mathematics including arithmetic, astronomy and geometry. Musical
harmony and melody can also be related to numbers, ratios and vibrations.
Music reflects the harmonies and the moral order of the universe and
therefore, is said to have a divine origin. It is a striving for harmony in life
combined with aesthetics. Music formulated according a higher order
suggests that the heavens, the earth and nature embody orderly forms, and
manifest a divine beauty and harmony, which reflects the Creator.
The music of the Greeks and ancients related to the inner harmony of the
spirit so that the soul could respond in harmonic rhythm to the beat of
universal harmony.
Music of the Spheres refers to the harmony and rhythm underlying the
Cosmos. The heavenly spheres arranged around earth in concentric spheres
in harmonic ratios, produced a musical tone, and the revolution of the
spheres in concert produced harmonies and melodies.
 The Septenates: The
Divine in Nature
Pythagoras discovered that exact ratios of vibrating strings produce
harmonies. Since music is based upon ratios of numbers, it must also be the
ordering principle of the world. The Greek word for ratio is logos, which
also means reason and word. Music is said to reflect the harmonies existing
in the universe, and assists human reason in discerning those harmonies.
The sacred number 7 is characteristic of divisions of the octave. Some of
its correspondences are: Sapta-rishis or 7 sacred planets, Apollo, the 8th
being the sun. Apollo bears in his hand a seven-stringed lyre, representing
his 7 rays flowing forth in 7 logoic powers (corresponding to 7 musical tones,
7 prismatic colors, 7 human or cosmic principles etc.). From it, he evoked
the harmony that governs the worlds in their motions.
Golden Section & Fibonaci Series are underpinning principles in all music.
Harmonic geometry, transcendence in brain waves, heart resonance &
Earths EM resonance- all fall within a frequency bandwidth of 1-30 Hz. Thru
meditation, one can come into correspondence with the Cosmos!
Musical
Note:

F#

C
 Corresponding to the 5 platonic
solids, there are 5 basic elements
of life: earth, water, fire, air &
Chakra Geometry &
ether. A work-in-progress, man is Schuman Sequence
presently a 5-elemented creature.
Each chakra possesses its
distinguishing Beej Akshar- root
sound, which can be heard. The
Human body resonates at around
7Hz. during meditation.
Each planet has its own
Schumann Harmonic Resonance
Frequency of its electrostatic field.
For Earth, this is 7.0 - 8.5 Hz.
Quantum Physics researchers
have recently concluded that,
based upon measurements of
cosmic waves left over from the so-
called Big Bang, that the universe
itself is a Dodecahedron!
 Human-body: a
musical instrument

The 24 frets of the instrument,

Veena are analogous to the 24
cartilages of the human spinal cord.

Seed-sounds of various chakras

 Mathematicians since Euclid have
studied properties of the golden
ratio, including its appearance in the Golden Ratio &
dimensions of a Regular Penta- Fibonaci Sequence
gon and in a Golden Rectangle.
Several artists & architects have
proportioned their works to
approximate the Golden Ratio-
especially in the form of the Golden
Rectangle, in which the ratio of the
longer side to the shorter is the
Golden Ratio- taking this proportion
to be pleasing aesthetically. A Golden Rectangle with longer side a
and shorter side b, when placed
Musicians have used this ratio as adjacent to a square with sides of
length a, will produce a similar Golden
Rectangle with longer side a + b and
well. Intervals comprising chords of shorter side a.

music follow Fibonaci mathematical

sequence accurately. Note A A D F E C E C# F# C# D F

Inter- Oct- Aug. Minor Aug.

Golden Ratio is said to be found in

Root 4th 5th 5th 3rd 6th 3rd 4th
val ave 5th 3rd 4th

Fibo-

DNA, animal skeletons, branches and nacci

Ratio
1/1 2/1 2/3 2/5 3/2 3/5 3/8 5/2 5/3 5/8 8/3 8/5

leaves of plants and crystals also.

 It can be shown that the entire
human race is joined in these same
basic sacred proportions. For the Golden Mean
physical body, with the arms and
legs spread, is overlaid by a
pentagram, with the fifth point
being at the top of the head and the
reproductive organs at the exact
center.
And each of these points also
relates to the number five: five
fingers at the terminus of each arm,
five toes on each leg, and five
openings on the face. Additionally,
we each possess five senses of
physical perception.
Golden Mean proportions of the
cosmos and our body-temples are
closely aligned with the harmony of
the beautiful fifth interval in music.
 Ancient Greek geometers knew that
the number of solids that can be
constructed from regular geometric
figures is limited to five. They are Platonic Solids
known as the 'perfect', 'Pythagorean'
or 'Platonic' solids.
Kepler speculated that one of the
five solids could be inserted between
each concentric planetary sphere. This
seemed to explain why there were just
six planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth,
Mars, Jupiter & Saturn) with five
intervals separating them.
Kepler found that angular velocities
of all planets corresponded with
musical intervals. Later, the same was
found true for Uranus, Neptune and
Pluto as well!
Fludd visualized celestial scales
spanning 3 octaves linking elemental
worlds to angelic choirs.
 An interval (e.g. M3) is the ratio Composition
between two sonic frequencies. In of Music
Western music, intervals are most
commonly differences between notes
of a diatonic scale.
The perfect fifth (P5) is more
consonant or stable, than any other
interval except the unison and the
octave. The justly intoned pitch
ratio of a perfect fifth is 3:2, meaning
that the upper note makes three
vibrations in the same amount of
time that the lower note makes two.
Circle of Fifths: A full chromatic
scale can be created by using just the
perfect fourth and fifth musical
intervals. This is characteristic of the
Pythagorean temperament- musical
progression parallels Fibonaci
sequence.
 Part 2:
Inner Music
At the ambrosial hour of the early dawn,
be you in communion with the Divine
Word and meditate on His Glory.
(Guru Nanak)
The sweet melody of the Music of the
Spheres is endlessly playing within us.
(Baba Sawan Singh)
The Music of the Spheres is so intense
and swift that It pulls me up in an
instant.
(Plato)
Music without words means leaving
behind the mind.
And leaving behind the mind is
meditation.
Meditation returns you to the Source.
And the Source of all is Sound.
(Kabir)
A Sound is coming from the eternal
abode to call you back.
(Tulsi Sahib)
The Sound of Music
All the seven regions are resounding with
this Sound.
But the worldly-minded do not hear It,
for the Sound is subtle.
(Hafiz)
All space is filled with the Abstract Sound.
The vibrations of this Sound
are too fine to be either audible or visible to
the material ears or eyes, since it is even
difficult for the eyes to see the form and
color of the ethereal vibrations on the
external plane. The knower of the mystery
of the Sound knows the mystery of the
whole Universe.
(Hazrat Inayat Khan)
 All Houses of Worship- whether a
temple, mosque, church, gurudwara,
synagogue or other, made of brick and
mortar, are but models of the True
Houses of Worship
Temple of the Divine- the human
body, made by Divine hands. At their sanctum sentorum, representing the
It is within this that Sound & Light Third or Single eye, is represented Naam
of God is to be found. Outer sounds or Light (e.g. wicker lamps, candles, torches)
based on the 5 elements are called & Sound (e.g. bell, conch, devotional or
Bikh Baini- poison sounds. scriptural music, call of the muezzin).
 The Process of
Creation
The Supreme Lord is unmanifest, beyond any description and is the
Ocean of Love. When He decides to become many from one, Saar Shabd
issues from His Being at Muqam-e-Hairat and creates Sach Khand- eternal
region of Truth or Pure Spirit (spiritual region). Here, He is present as Sat
Purush- God, the Father, Supreme Creator & Ekankar- the One manifest.
Then, Sat Shabd issues and creates Paar-Brahm. From here, Sunn Shabd
issues to create Brahmand (causal); then Onkar Shabd creates And
(astral); finally, Onkar Shabd with Anhad Shabd creates Pind (physical).
Naam comprises Shruti- Sound & Jyoti- Light, attributes of manifested
Spirit. Below Sach Khand, Sound-Light create the duality of Mind-Matter,
Time-Space etc. Paar-Brahm & Brahmand are perishable creations of the
Spirit-Mind-Matter trinity. Here, Jivatma- soul- itself an essence of Oversoul
or God- is progressively covered by Koshas- coverings of increasing density,
until its pristine light of 16 suns is altogether obliterated. The koshas are
powered by a subsidiary product of Naam- Prana, cyclical (dual) in nature.
 Closely resembling the
Supreme creational sound,
Ekankar & Onkar or
Ekankar, the sound of Onkar or
Pranava (variously called Amen, Pranava
Ameen, Omega and so on)
frequently occurs in the scriptures.
Onkar or Brahm is Universal
Mind or Sun (Kaal- time), manifest
deity of Brahmand (causal plane,
El Dorado) that created And- astral
and Pind- physical worlds. He is
the creator of Vedas and supreme
deity in several of religions.
Triplistic states (A-U-M) and
Gunas- qualities (Sato-Rajo-Tamo)
are created in Brahmand.
Brahmand however, constitutes
only the second of the five stages
of rest en route the Divine Home.
 Tava Ntya is a divine dance
performed by god Shankar (Mahadev).
It is a vigorous dance that is the source
of the cycle of creation, preservation Tandava Nrtya
and dissolution. While the Rudra
Tandava depicts his violent nature, first
as creator (in Big Bang) and later, as
destroyer of the universe, even of death
itself; Ananda Tandava depicts him as
enjoying. Shankar as Nataraja or
Natesha is considered the supreme lord
of dance.
It symbolizes the cosmic cycles of
creation and destruction, as well as the
daily rhythm of birth and death. The
dance is an allegory of the 5 principal
manifestations of eternal energy:
Y Srishti- creation, evolution, Y Sthiti-
preservation, support Y Samhara-
destruction, evolution, Y Tirobhava-
illusion, and Y Anugraha- release,
emancipation, grace.
 Mantra Yoga

Mantras are sacred, potent words. Chanted with concentration and

devotion, they are extremely beneficial at physical, mental & spiritual levels.
Repetition of mantras is called Japa. Chanting of mantras generate potent
divine vibrations.
Every mantra is a symbol of the a deity. By its constant repetition,
aspirant absorbs the power of the presiding deity in the mantra.
Mantras are signposts to the wandering mind, steering it to an ambient
poise for meditation. Repetition of mantras completely engages the mind,
offering a means of getting closer to the divinity within. Chanting of mantras
produces positive vibrations, bringing benefits to the one who chants, as
well as the one who listens.
Yajnavalkya says that a whispered mantra is a thousand times more
beneficial than a spoken one; a mental mantra is a thousand times more
beneficial than a whispered one; and meditating on a mantra is a thousand
times more beneficial than its silent recitation.
 Creation of Sound
When Lord Brahma appeared from Vishnus lotus, he was perplexed about his origin
and destiny, but suddenly he heard two syllables tapa. Thus initiated by Vishnu, Brahma
underwent severe austerities and was rewarded with Vedic wisdom for his great task of
secondary creation. The first living entity that appeared from Lord Brahma was Pranava,
the transcendental sound Omkara. From Aum came all the sounds of the alphabet.
According to traditional phonetics (Shikshaa), the self (Atma) formulates intentions by
means of intelligence (Buddhi) and inspires the mind (Manas) to speak. The mind
impulses the body fire (Kayagni) it in turn sets in motion breath (Maruta) that moving in
the chest, generates a humming sound (Mandra) that again rising to the palate and
crown of the head, and rebounding thence, passes to the mouth and produces articulate
sounds like vowels and consonants.
As sound is of the nature of the Varnas (syllables) composing it, in tantra, the creative
force of the universe resides in all the letters of the alphabet. The different letters
symbolize the different functions of that creative force, and their totality is designated as
Matrika or the "mother in essence". Aksharas are traced back to their material source
level which is a particular deity of Shakti. Each of her stages of manifestation is a phase in
the evolution of the universe. Thus the Aksharas are potent sound, constitutionally
connected to objects as sound (Shabda) and its meaning (Artha).
 Nada Yoga

The entire cosmos fundamentally consists of Sound vibrations. While the

external Ahata- sound struck thru the medium of the 5 elements, is heard
by the sensory organ of ears, internal sound, which is Anahata- unstruck as
well as Anahada- continuous, can be heard thru Anahata chakra (heart).
The universe originates from Nda- Sound. The Viparita Maithuna-
reversed coition of Shakti and Shiva deposits the Bindu- seed in Prakriti-
nature, resulting in the birth of goddess Kundali.
Nda- sound and Bindu- void or light emanate from Para-Shakti- holy
Spirit. Para-Shiva & Para-Shakti are Nishabda- soundless and Nihshpanda-
motionless. When there is Sphota- explosion in the Bindu, the sound
produced is called Shabda-Brahman- sound consciousness.
Nda is flow, Ndi the channel. Prana flowing in Ndis creates a variety of
sounds at different levels of grossness in the various planes of creation.
Arrived at thru meditation, Aum corresponds to C sharp in the small octave
of our tuning system (136 Hz.) and to the 32nd Octave of the Earth year.
 Nada Brahman

Brahman- supreme consciousness (Pranava), the static Word, becomes

dynamic forms of Vak- Word: transcendental, intellectual, mental, physical.
1. In Muladhara {4} petal chakra, Prana, originating in the Purusha, is the unmanifest
Karana Bindu- causal source in Kundalini, with the 3 Gunas in equilibrium. It becomes
static Shabda-Brahman. That sound is called Para-Vaak- sound of the beyond, the
incubating womb of all creativity.
2. When this stirless sound unites with the mind [Rajo], Sphota- explosion in Prakriti, it
creates the Tri-Bindu: Karya-Bindu, Naada & Bija, exhibiting vibration and motion, and
manifests as Pashyanti- visual sound or Bindu- Light in Manipura- navel chakra {10}. It
contains Iccha shakti- Will power.
3. The Shabda-Brahman acquires Indriyas- faculties [Sato] at Anahata- heart {12} chakra,
and is now called Madhyama- middle stage or Dhwani- sound. 10 Anahata sounds are:
chini, chini-chini, bell, conch, lute, cymbals, flute, drum, mridanga- double-drum &
thunder perceived during meditation. It contains Jnana shakti- power of Knowledge.
4. Vaikhari- audible speech [Tamo] is when Shabda-Brahman ascends to the voice box in
Vishuddhi {16} chakra, becoming Nada or Vak- intelligible and manifests as articulate
speech. Kundalini is represented as a serpent along the spine, with each coil
representing a Sanskrit alphabet. It contains Kriya shakti- Power of action.
 Shabd or Word

It is through Shabd that all creation comes into manifestation.

Scriptures describe the Word variously, for example:
Music of the Spheres by Pythagoras
Naad, Akash Vani, & Shruti in the Vedas
Pranava & Udgit in the Upanishads
Logos (Heraclitus) [Nous- Prana (Anaxagorus)] by ancient Greeks
Word & Holy Spirit in the New Testament of the Bible
Tao in Taoism (Lao Tze)
Sraosha, Creative Verbum & Ahuna Vairya in Zoroastrianism
Sonorous Light & Intrinsic Hearing in Buddhism
Voice of the Silence by Theosophists (Blavatsky)
Kalma, Kalam-e-Qadim, Kun & Amra in the Quran
Baang-e-Aasmani, Sultan-ul-Azkar & Saut-e-Sarmadiby the Sufis
Naam, Akhand Kirtan & Sacchi Bani in Adi Granth
Verbum in Latin & Memra in Hebrew.
 The Sound
Principle
Sound Principle is considered the Jauhar- essense of the one life in all
things. Sufis call music Giza-e-Rooh- food for the soul.
Creational sound passing through inner regions of varying density,
acquires different properties. The sound at each plane can be
approximated by sounds of musical instruments and natural phenomena
e.g., the sound of Dholak or Drums resembles the inner thunder and
lightning. Inner sound is by far more bewitching than any outer music.
While Naam is contacted at the Third eye, true Sound is only to be
heard beyond Mansarovar in Paar-Brahm, beyond the trinity of Ida,
Pingla & Sushumna. Here, it produces a strong upward tug upon the soul.
The practice of connecting with and listening to Divine Music is the
only means for the soul to return to the Oversoul or God. In the process,
the mind is brought under control and the 5-fold vices of lust, anger,
greed, attachment & ego are curbed. Detachment with the outer world,
happiness, bliss and peace are its end-result.
 Surat-Shabd Yoga

Having endured the bondage in Brahmand, whereby it constantly

undergoes metempsychosis within 8.4 life-forms (divided into 4 categories)
in accordance with the Law of Karma, the Jivatama- soul now yearns for
liberation and to return to its pristine Home. It does so with the application
of Surat-Shabd Yoga- yoga of Spirit-Celestial Sound- a yoga of devotion.
While outer world is perceived through the 10-fold sensory agencies (5
Gyanendriyas + 5 Karmendriyas), inner world is experienced through inner
agencies of: Surat- hearing (also, the sensory current or soul) & Nirat- sight.
This yoga is taught by a living Sant-Satguru- perfect Master, who gives the
initiate first-hand contact with Naam during Naamdan- spiritual initiation.
It comprises two exercises: 1 (a): Simran- mental remembrance of
charged 5 Names of Rulers of 5 primal planes of Creation, (b) Dhyan- focus
on inner Light using Nirat & 2. Bhajan or Kirtan- focus on inner Sound using
Surat. Light focusses, while Sound attracts. Through this, soul rises to inner
regions and experiences various grades and types of Light & Sound en route.
 Inner Music

In Sant-Mat, terms Bhajan/Kirtan do not refer to outer music- vocal or

instrumental (preperatory to devotion), but to listening to inner music,
playing 24x7, which constitutes true Akhand (unbroken) Kirtan or Paath.
As creation is copy of copies, reflections of sounds of higher planes can
also be heard in the lower ones. Also, sounds initially heard are reflections
in the physical plane. Only the prescribed main sounds are to be heard.
Bhajan should not be done to the exclusion of Simran/Dhyan, which are
also essential for the initial ascent of Spirit.
An initiate should only listen to the music coming through the right ear.
In fact, this music actually springs from the middle vein, Sushumna. Music
from left is to avoided altogether as it is negative. If heard, the left thumb is
to be loosened somewhat; gradually the music will shift to the right ear.
At some stage, inner music becomes initiates constant companion. Not
only is it indicative of the presence of the inner Master, but also of His
grace and solace (Comforter). Hearing Gods Voice is better than Prayer.
 Siddha Asana &
Vaishnavi Mudra Vaishnavi Mudra
(for Bhajan) (for Bhajan)

Siddha Asana
(for Dhyan)

TYPICAL
MEDITATION
POSTURES

However, Surat-Shabd Yoga is not rigid on postures. Meditation may be done even on a chair.
 Souls flight into the Inner Space
Stages Plane Path Description

IV. Beyond Plane-3 Vihang Marg- The soul can climb straight from
Vulture-like earth to the mountain-top.
III. Upto Plane-3 Makar Marg- The soul can climb from earth to
Spider-like the roof without needing support of
the wall.
II. Upto Plane-2 Meen Marg- The soul swims against the current
Fish-like of Naam.
I. Upto Plane-1 Papeel Marg- Initiate struggles to control the Mind
Ant-like and vacate the 9 portals of the
body and reach Satgurus Radiant
form.

Nirat is the power of soul that awakens the Surat (i.e. the consciousness) and leads it to
move on to the higher planes. Unless Nirat (ability to see within) is activated Surat
(ability to hear within) cannot move ahead. Once the Surat gets turned on to the
Shabd, it gradually becomes one with it, and effortlessly reaches its Origin.
 Concluding

In line with the Hermetic axiom, as above so below, man has always
sought to harmonize his life on Earth (physical) with that of the Heaven
(astral) through the discovery of the Laws of Nature. His effort ranges from
construction of great pyramids to the splitting of atom in Super-collliders.
Ultimately, everything in universe is made of frequency and vibration!
Delving into its mysteries, man has arrived at what saints and mystics have
always known- that the basic building blocks of creation are: Sound & Light.
Music is not merely an entity that provides pleasure and peace; it is of
the very nature of the Divine! By playing on the instrument of the human-
body, we can reach the great musician within- God.
The chakric Jacobs ladder connects God with man, created in His own
image. The return journey of the Jivatma- soul through the Science of Light
& Sound is akin to rock-climbing- Light is its anchoring element and Sound
that of its elevation. With the grace of the living Word-made-flesh, it
unshackles itself of its bondage and returns free to its pristine Divine source.
 Recommended:
NASA Voyager music of
various planets based on
Radio-wave recordings

The End.
Thank You

Further references on Shabd:

Gurmat Siddhant 1
Naam or Word
Introspection Diary