Nada Yoga and Shanmukhi Mudra

NADA YOGA

Some aspirants are inclined to pursue the spiritual path by listening to subtle mystic sounds that emanate from the heart-center (Anahata Chakra). This practice of worshipping Brahman, symbolized through subtle sound vibrations, is called Nada Yoga or the “Yoga of Sound Vibrations.”

A practitioner on the path of Nada Yoga first follows the basic principles of Raja Yoga starting with the Yamas and Niyamas. Then, after mastering Asana (steady meditative pose) and acquiring a high level of skill in Pranayama (breath control), the Yogi delves into Nada Yoga.

Having achieved a degree of control over his mind, the Nada Yogi practices Shanmukhi Mudra, a powerful concentration exercise enabling him to enter deep into the heart center. While bestowing mental peace and serenity, this exercise awakens the sleeping Kundalini at the base of the spine, and helps the Yogi to develop great powers of the mind and body.

Shanmukhi Mudra

Be seated in a meditative pose. Inhale and retain the breath. Next, using both hands, close the ears with the thumbs, both eyes with the index fingers, both nostrils with the middle fingers, and the mouth with the ring and small fingers. (In the beginning stages of practice, you allow the nostrils to be open, but as you become skilled in practicing retention of the breath, you keep the nostrils closed.) Thus, all distractions of the senses are shut out.

Maintaining this Mudra, focus your mind on the Anahata Chakra while listening to the subtle sounds that emanate from that center. Although you may hear only crude noises at the outset (heartbeat, breath, etc.), by regular and sustained daily practice you will begin to hear subtle mystic sounds, which enrapture the mind and eventually lead the Nada Yogi to become one with Brahman.

From the book Integral Yoga: The Secret to Enlightenment by Swami Jyotirmayananda, published by the Yoga Research Foundation. © Swami Jyotirmayananda. All rights reserved.

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