Om Chant and Tension of Mind-Body- 3 min reading
This was in 1980s. We used to travel to our school in a shared autorickshaw. Almost 5 children in that auto ride. When the auto would stop at any signal, I remember observing how the vibrations of the auto engine would vibrate the autorickshaw and us. At that time, i would do simple experiment. Sometimes i would apply a little bit of tension in my hand or firm up my hand and fist, and the vibration would be lesser. I would keep playing this…tensed up and less vibration, or release the tension and more vibration. Sometimes when the auto engine was not proper and would make a lot of noise and vibration, the firming up of hand would actually increase the vibration. As my hands would now be perhaps tightly aligning with the frequency of the vibrating auto (because of the tight grip or tensions in the hand and the fist).
Long after, when i began meditating in 2012, I realized something similar. When i would do Om Chants, and my body and mind was tensed up, the vibration would have a different effect (actually lesser). Somehow the tensed body and mind would not allow handshake (synchronicity) with the Om Chants vibrations. And then sometimes when i would ease my body and mind into the vibrations of the Omkar, it would generate beautiful synchronicity. At these times, the body and the mind would feel eased and flowing. There would be a feeling of integrity…a single sheath of consciousness witnessing the entire being at the same time. And this would sometimes lead to profound experience and ….
The above easing of the body could be brought about through various means. In my case, there are no fixed mechanisms. But some people would have somethings working for them better.
Movement & Easing: Sometimes the days when i walk-jog a little, the meditation works better. Or in some ways the body has moved a lot the earlier day. Sometimes holding any part of the body, big or small, and then moving it slower and slower for 10 minutes, could be somewhat helpful. If one can move their entire body in any manner and in any direction, slower and slower, and then feel the body as the movement happens, it could help too.
Present Moment Awareness of Body through Body Scan Meditation: Sometimes irrespective of my movement, if i am able to do body scan meditation ( example: https://palousemindfulness.com/meditations/bodyscan20min.html ), it eases me into a state better for Om Chanting.
Snowballing: Sometimes because I have been chanting Omkar regularly, it doesn’t matter whether i have done movements or body scan meditation, the Omkar chants itself work their vibrations in a manner where it starts with less ease and then over time enters the state of better frequency distribution in the body and the mind.
I must admit, that sometimes even these just do not work. But the idea is to continue the practice. Sometimes just simple journaling (with simple pen and paper) about whats working or whats not working has helped in my journey.
Hope this sharing helps. Happy Chanting.
