ONE VOICE

 

ONE VOICE

 

A few years ago, on the occasion of a yoga studio anniversary, myself and a couple of friends sang a song entitled "One Voice".  The lyrics say, in part, " this is the sound of one voice....the sound of one who makes a choice."   Book III sutras 9-12  of Patanjali's Yoga Sutras relate three stages of the transformation of consciousness that lead one through a process of choosing to observe, expand and stabilize the choice between two inner voices.   One voice leads to a disturbed and scattered state of mind and the other one observes the first with compassionate clarity.

 

The first voice is the inner commentator which compares, contrasts, and voices its opinion on everything.  Much like the 24/7 editorial broadcaster, it goes on and on perpetuating drama, conflict and well, ratings...how am I doing? :>)   It is the voice of uncultured consciousness demanding  undivided attention before it will settle down, or not.  Sutra III.9 says, "The study of the silent moments between rising and restraining subliminal impressions is the transformation toward  NIRODHA." (BKS Iyenger Light On Yoga Sutras).  

 

Penny Pierce, in her book Frequency maintains that "when dynamically observed, consciousness learns to calm itself, enlarging the intermission pause between thoughts."   Sanskrit Scholar Dr. Katyayani Poole, breaks down the work Nirodha as NI--to annihilate, RO--to pull in, DHA--to smooth out.   As the first of the three transformations, Nirodha, is a profound psychological tool to diminsh chaos or panic in the mind.

 

To  illustrate the first step NI, to annihilate or STOP the excitable mind, an experiment that my brother and sister in law and I undertook one year while vacationing in Hawaii comes to mind.  Because we desired a peaceful vacation and realized that we could all become mentally "disturbed" by our passionat political discussions, we assigned some playful consequences, specific to each one of us, that would be imposed if we brought up the subject of politics during the next 24 hours.  What an eye opener!

 

The Buddha is credited to have answered a devotee's question on what is required to become enlightened with the answer, "Stop stirring yourselve's up". Our little experiment revealed our self inflicted role in that process.   We caught ourselves edging into the discussion danger zone and applying NI or NO to the mind more times than we would have imagined.  Instead of getting all stirred up, we transformed that energy into laughter and insight.  The experiment was so successful in keeping our moods happy and mindful that the next year my brother suggested we do it for the entire week.

 

Our experiment worked on a somewhat superficial level, but what to do when the mind is really in chaos or panic?   Nirodha parinamah outlines a similar path to one Penny Pierce recommends as well.  

1.  Hit the pause button (NI)

2.  Enter the Body more deeply (RO)

3.  Expand your energy to accept and embrace rather than restrain the chaotic energy.  (DHA)  Even saying da-HA, slowly has a relaxing and expanding feel inside.  It is the call to relax and let go. To allow the soothing voice beneath the chaos to emerge.

 

All thoughts are manifesting as physical sensations and emotional waves in the body.  It is necessary to stop and really feel how the chaotic thoughts are impacting the body before transforming them.  If there is pain (contracted energy),  being fully attentive to it rather than resisting or denying it, is an effective tool for getting blocked or contracted energy moving again.  This is one of the many blessings of a focused asana, pranayama or meditation practice.

 

When the pause  button is hit and the mind enters the body deeply, it naturally begins to calm down and enter into a more receptive state.  The mind becomes receptive to the witness voice. 

 

"When the mind's silence begins,  the soul's silence ceases" is a favorite spiritual aphorism.  The Soul's voice is the One Voice that, when chosen over the inner commentater, gives the perspective and encouragement to live life with peace, purpose and in celebraton of its mystery.   Then, say's sutra III.10 "The transformation (nirodha) of rising impressions will bring about an undisturbed flow of tranquility".    A simple choice.