Nada Yoga
Published by Vidwan Prashanth Iyengar in Yoga • 4/13/2011 4:46:42 PM
Nada Yoga
Nada in Sanskrit means ‘sound’ or ‘flow’. Yoga means ‘union’. The practices of Nada Yoga therefore can be understood as the union or flowing into sound. Nada Yoga incorporates all forms of sound or music. It is said that this path of yoga is the one to which all forms of yoga eventually lead. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, after describing all the practices for yogic development – asanas, breathing, shatkarmas and bandhas, devotes much of its final section (entitled Samadhi) to the practice of Nada Yoga (referred to as laya yoga):
This rarely known branch of yoga uses vibration in its most refined aspect. Most scriptures agree that all that exist comes from one source which is God or the Absolute manifesting first in the form of Vibration. "In the beginning was the word" recounts the Bible and in the Vedas, the puranas from the Indian tradition, it is said that creation started from sound vibration, called Nada Brahman. This vibration is referred to as "OM".
Nada yoga is the ancient spiritual art and science of inner transformation through sound and tone. Meditation on sound is one universal path to Self Realization, accessible to anyone, and appropriate for people of any religion or spiritual aspiration.
The term "Yoga" means to combine, coordinate, harmonize, integrate. Actually, there are many varieties of yoga, generally grouped into five categories:
1. Jnana yoga, the yoga of knowledge and self-inquiry
2. Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion
3. Karma Yoga, the yoga of service
4. Kriya Yoga, the yoga of technique
5. Raja Yoga, a yoga integrating all the other four forms
Hatha Yoga, a basic form of Kriya Yoga, is the yoga of physicality, postures, and movement. It's probably the most well-known form of yoga in the West; however, the main classical text on yoga - the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - discusses physical postures (Hatha Yoga) in only three of its two hundred verses.
Within the heading of Kriya Yoga, or yoga of technique, there are several subtly different forms of yoga which teach meditation on sound as a path to spiritual growth and awareness. The three principal forms of this variety of yoga are Nada, Laya, and Surat Shabda yoga.
Nowadays we know that everything is vibration. From the tiniest atom to the galaxies, everything vibrates at a certain rhythm and in harmony. The Mystics and Yogis have used this principle of vibration in the realm of music to harmonize their gross physical body and subtle body in order to reconnect to the primordial source.
Nada Yoga represents the technical, vibratory aspect of the sacred chants (Mantras, Bhajans, Kirtans) which, through its positive vibrations, harmonises our physical and "astral”" bodies (energy, emotions, intellect), and in so doing gives us a glimpse of our "causal" body, the deepest part of ourselves whose nature is peace. This harmonisation eliminates many physical and mental tensions.
Nada Yoga ultimately leads back to the source of creation by using sound vibration. There are different steps to this process:
Listening to and chanting Mantras, Bhajans, Kirtans whose vibrations are pure because they have been composed and are interpreted by yogis, saints etc. This practice cleanses the mind and impregnates positive impressions, as opposed to some contemporary music or sound tracks of certain advertisements.. Try it and compare!
This pure music stabilises the attention, calms the mind and renders the adept sensitive to more subtle frequencies, enabling him to hear "Anahata". This internal sound comes from the vibration of prana, contrary to ordinary sounds that come from the shock or friction between two things.The mind, absorbed in this "Anahata" is in a transcendental state. It experiences the Absolute, or God as "Nadam", pure vibration.
Music has a direct impact on the mind. It can make it sad, happy, aggressive etc. All cultures have exploited the power of sound and music, in religion, in the military, in publicity etc. What our ears pick up is but a small part of what is emitted. However, even what we cannot hear has an affect on our subtle body, obviously against our will! It is therefore important, in order to avoid being emotionally manipulated, to chose the music one listens to!
Most commonly Nada Yoga refers to the practice of mantras and chanting, but on a technical level it deals with abstracts sounds, called "Taans", that create specific vibrations within the body. These vibration can be used for healing as well as for destructive purposes. In ancient times this science of sounds and vibrations had attained a high level of development in the same way as today's physical sciences have been developped . Certain Masters had acquired a very precise knowledge of this science.
This science of sound involves becoming aware not only of audible frequencies but also of frequencies that are inaudible to our ears. It is important to differentiate here between the two different kinds of sound. All the sounds which we hear through our ears are the result of two objects striking each other. This is obvious when we think of clapping or drumming and other such percussive sounds, but more subtle when the interaction between the two surfaces is not so obvious – the sound of the wind in the grass, the wide range of sounds we are capable of producing with our voices for instance (the effect of air hitting our vocal cords.) These sounds are called ahata sounds or ‘struck sounds’.
Then we have the ‘unstruck sounds’ – the anahata sounds. These sounds have no discernable source and are heard from within. The more subtle nada yoga practices are focused on these inner sounds.
“When the mind becomes so absorbed in that sound that one is no longer listening to it, but is vibrating in unison with it, then the final state of Laya Yoga (Nada Brahman, or Oneness with God/Sound) is achieved.”
Muz Murray
Whilst it is true that it can take many years – even lifetimes – of spiritual practice to achieve this ultimate ‘Union’ with the Divine, I do believe that we all can and do catch glimpses of it all the time in our daily yoga practice and living. And when we sing!
Absorption in Sound
Our mind easily becomes absorbed in sound. This is why we all - even infants and animals - enjoy listening to music. When the mind is fully concentrated on anything there arises a feeling of inner bliss. In Nada Yoga, we learn that the source of the sound may be external or internal. The sound may be "gross" or "subtle." That is, it may be "struck" out loud (Sanskrit: "ahat"), as from a voice or musical instrument; or "unstruck" and outwardly silent (Sanskrit: "anahat"), arising inwardly as from the subtle currents of energy or prana moving throughout the body.
With practice, concentration on carefully selected outer or "struck" sounds will enable the mind to become calm and transparent. At this point you may begin to become aware of the subtle inner "unstruck" sounds. You might perceive inner sounds that seem like bells, or flutes, or even a hum like an electrical transformer. Some of these sounds are actually just the sounds of your own body: blood pumping, or the electrical energy of nerves and inner ear. Other, deeper, sounds are the "sounds behind the audible sound." It is into this deeper realm that Nada yoga can take you.
Some traditions tell us that this subtle, inner sound originates in the "heart chakra of the subtle body," considered the center of unstruck sound. Yogic tradition connects this inner sound with Kundalini itself.
In Nada yoga you concentrate on these finer and deeper sounds, moving from outer to inner realm, moving awareness from outer to inner sounds (Sanskrit: "nadam"), while all the time gently easing your mind into relaxed concentration and focus. This is a highly enjoyable form of meditation and it's relatively effortless: as you meditate, your entire being, every cell and atom and part of you, is being purified and balanced by the sounds that you are focusing on. Remember, whatever you pay attention to, you become. "Where you put your treasure, there you shall also find your heart." Therefore it is very important that you choose positive and enlightening music and sounds for this meditation.
"The Sound is inside us. It is invisible. Wherever I look I find it." Guru Nanak
Nada Yoga consists of two words. The Word Yoga means Union with the Divine Source of All Life. As the Divine is living within All things, so it is that there are many Pathways to the Divine. The major ones are named Siva Yoga, Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Mantra Yoga, whilst we also find many, many others including both Agni Yoga and Nada Yoga. In a sense Nada Yoga could be seen as a branch of Mantra Yoga as both are concerned with Sound. From the views of both the Hindu metaphysics of sound (which teaches that sound has a fourfold process) and the inclusive Tantric perspective, Nada Yoga could be said to incorporate and include all forms of Sound or Music. However, in practice the Nada Yogi places his or her focus upon what is termed the anahata nada or the inaudible (or a more literal translation: 'unstruck') sound. That is to say a sound that is not made as a result of two or more objects striking one another. It is, in fact, a sound not coming to the human ear from outside of the body but, rather, from within. Like many other kinds of yoga, one does not need to be a devotee of this path in order to have the experience. Just as one needn't be a Bhakti before experiencing union heart-to-heart with the Supreme Being. Because such experiences are rooted in Absolute reality, they are ever-present aspects of That Reality that can appear at any instant to any individual found to be providing the correct conditions suitable for receiving the experience.
There are three traditional forms of chanting in Nada Yoga: mantras, kirtans, and bhajans. These divisions are not to be confused - as they often are in workshops. Because these have generally been composed by yogis or saints, they are considered to carry a pure energy and to have a harmonising effect upon the physical body, astral body and mind. Mantra derives from two Hindu words Manas and Tra - manas meaning mind and tra meaning protection. How do we protect our minds? This refers to assisting our mind to stop its aimless wandering whilst trying to meditate. Via mantra - the repetition of certain sacred sounds - the mind attempting to meditate is prevented from its aimless wanderings and is given a focus to aid its concentration. Once we can find the quiet mind, it becomes possible to hear this inner sound that lies beneath, behind, and within all sounds. Mantra is, therefore, concerned with the power of sound to transform our consciousness/being. Likewise, Nada Yoga too concerns itself with Self-Realisation through the transforming power of sound; only of inaudible sound - which is not to be confused with supersonics (which is still a vibration that can be measured with scientific instruments); the sounding of the Inner Being - Divine Sound. Mantra or the making of sacred music are thus considered as outer expressions of Nada Yoga and if scientists can demonstrate that machines can utilise mechanically-produced sound vibrations for healing, then imagine what using our own Voice can do!
Therefore, Nada Yoga is the Path of Union with the Divine through Sound or Music. Once we are able to reach that place of great stillness and silence deep within our hearts, we are able to hear this 'Music of the Spheres'; we are able to approach the Source of our being through this gateway of Vibration - via this Path of Sound. The yogi mystics of India speak of outer sound, then of hearing ten inner sounds and finally hearing the One Sound - Divine Sound. This is a path of spiritual practice - attuning to this inaudible sound and thereby hearing the Voice of the inner Teacher - the Word of the Supreme Transcendent Oneness. Samadhi, or union with the Atman, or totality, can be entered into through Nada Yoga. At one and the same time incorporating the Transcendent and the Divine Imminent. After attuning to this quiet inner 'voice' deep within, it eventually becomes possible for us to find that inner stillness and silence at any time in our lives and most especially during times of crisis, stress, or misfortune and so enable ourselves to face such difficulties (and also to transform and evolve the inner elements of our being) with the supreme strength of the Transcendent Sound of Absolute Oneness and so receive the Great Love of the Divine Comforter. Becoming at-one with this Divine Sound-current opens us up to resonating with that Stream of Universal Love consciousness that flows throughout the entire body of Nature throughout all the galaxies and entire universe. I reach this conclusion also because the term Anahata is given to the Heart Chakra and it is likewise stated that one cannot hear this inner sound until one has progressed along the spiritual pathway to the level of the Heart Chakra and has, therefore, been born again within the Heart of the Divine Being.
One can say that Indian music today, with the exception of folk music, includes devotional music (Kirtan and Bhajan), as well as esoteric music linked to Nada Yoga which masters the aforementioned knowledge of the influence of sounds - and finally, ordinary concert music. These three may very easily overlap and there is no doubt that music as such affects us and therefore is often seen as being part of Nada Yoga. To that may be added the fact that Indian musicians, at least in earlier times, had to learn yoga and certain breathing exercises to strengthen and develop their ear for music.
Music helps us relax and creates an atmosphere, but Nada Yoga reaches deeper and more precisely into our states - and the actual Nada Yoga, the meditation on the inner sounds, has a strong liberating effect in dissolving the very deepest blocks and inhibitions of the mind. Therefore Nada Yoga belongs to Laya Yoga (Laya = dissolution).
"The deer is entrapped by sweet sound.The cobra is enchanted by sweet music. Raga Punnagavarrali charms the cobra.Nada entraps the mind.The mind gets Laya in sweet nada. Therefore you can easily control the mind Through the practice of Nada Yoga"
"By one who is desirous of attaining perfection in Yoga, Nada alone has got to be closely heard (meditated upon), having abandoned all thoughts and with a calm mind." (Sankaracharya, Yoga-taravali)
Psychosomatics (the relationship between body and mind).
There are methods in yoga where you do not have to suffer to liberate yourself from old influences or tensions, where you do not always have to confront your traumas but where you can dissolve them using other methods Laya Yoga and especially the discipline within Laya Yoga which is called Nada Yoga where you concentrate on the inner sounds. Despite the immediate interest of the scientist, it must have sounded rather shocking to his ears, because, despite the ostensible independence of science in relation to religion, the basic belief still prevails that things must hurt before they do us good.
Laya Yoga
Every meditation practice or technique which breaks down the inhibitions of the mind and brings its activities to a halt is called Laya Yoga. Under the heading of Laya Yoga you find many different methods and Nada Yoga is one of them. Even during the meditation, Antar Mauna (inner silence) you are able to bring your consciousness to a level of complete rest.
The ancient great masters of Hatha Yoga, such as Gheranda Rishi and others claimed that Hatha Yoga could also be a part of Laya Yoga. For instance, breathing exercises can be used to achieve a mental state totally free from tensions.
Nada in Sanskrit means ‘sound’ or ‘flow’. Yoga means ‘union’. The practices of Nada Yoga therefore can be understood as the union or flowing into sound. Nada Yoga incorporates all forms of sound or music. It is said that this path of yoga is the one to which all forms of yoga eventually lead. The Hatha Yoga Pradipika, after describing all the practices for yogic development – asanas, breathing, shatkarmas and bandhas, devotes much of its final section (entitled Samadhi) to the practice of Nada Yoga (referred to as laya yoga):
This rarely known branch of yoga uses vibration in its most refined aspect. Most scriptures agree that all that exist comes from one source which is God or the Absolute manifesting first in the form of Vibration. "In the beginning was the word" recounts the Bible and in the Vedas, the puranas from the Indian tradition, it is said that creation started from sound vibration, called Nada Brahman. This vibration is referred to as "OM".
Nada yoga is the ancient spiritual art and science of inner transformation through sound and tone. Meditation on sound is one universal path to Self Realization, accessible to anyone, and appropriate for people of any religion or spiritual aspiration.
The term "Yoga" means to combine, coordinate, harmonize, integrate. Actually, there are many varieties of yoga, generally grouped into five categories:
1. Jnana yoga, the yoga of knowledge and self-inquiry
2. Bhakti Yoga, the yoga of devotion
3. Karma Yoga, the yoga of service
4. Kriya Yoga, the yoga of technique
5. Raja Yoga, a yoga integrating all the other four forms
Hatha Yoga, a basic form of Kriya Yoga, is the yoga of physicality, postures, and movement. It's probably the most well-known form of yoga in the West; however, the main classical text on yoga - the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali - discusses physical postures (Hatha Yoga) in only three of its two hundred verses.
Within the heading of Kriya Yoga, or yoga of technique, there are several subtly different forms of yoga which teach meditation on sound as a path to spiritual growth and awareness. The three principal forms of this variety of yoga are Nada, Laya, and Surat Shabda yoga.
Nowadays we know that everything is vibration. From the tiniest atom to the galaxies, everything vibrates at a certain rhythm and in harmony. The Mystics and Yogis have used this principle of vibration in the realm of music to harmonize their gross physical body and subtle body in order to reconnect to the primordial source.
Nada Yoga represents the technical, vibratory aspect of the sacred chants (Mantras, Bhajans, Kirtans) which, through its positive vibrations, harmonises our physical and "astral”" bodies (energy, emotions, intellect), and in so doing gives us a glimpse of our "causal" body, the deepest part of ourselves whose nature is peace. This harmonisation eliminates many physical and mental tensions.
Nada Yoga ultimately leads back to the source of creation by using sound vibration. There are different steps to this process:
Listening to and chanting Mantras, Bhajans, Kirtans whose vibrations are pure because they have been composed and are interpreted by yogis, saints etc. This practice cleanses the mind and impregnates positive impressions, as opposed to some contemporary music or sound tracks of certain advertisements.. Try it and compare!
This pure music stabilises the attention, calms the mind and renders the adept sensitive to more subtle frequencies, enabling him to hear "Anahata". This internal sound comes from the vibration of prana, contrary to ordinary sounds that come from the shock or friction between two things.The mind, absorbed in this "Anahata" is in a transcendental state. It experiences the Absolute, or God as "Nadam", pure vibration.
Music has a direct impact on the mind. It can make it sad, happy, aggressive etc. All cultures have exploited the power of sound and music, in religion, in the military, in publicity etc. What our ears pick up is but a small part of what is emitted. However, even what we cannot hear has an affect on our subtle body, obviously against our will! It is therefore important, in order to avoid being emotionally manipulated, to chose the music one listens to!
Most commonly Nada Yoga refers to the practice of mantras and chanting, but on a technical level it deals with abstracts sounds, called "Taans", that create specific vibrations within the body. These vibration can be used for healing as well as for destructive purposes. In ancient times this science of sounds and vibrations had attained a high level of development in the same way as today's physical sciences have been developped . Certain Masters had acquired a very precise knowledge of this science.
This science of sound involves becoming aware not only of audible frequencies but also of frequencies that are inaudible to our ears. It is important to differentiate here between the two different kinds of sound. All the sounds which we hear through our ears are the result of two objects striking each other. This is obvious when we think of clapping or drumming and other such percussive sounds, but more subtle when the interaction between the two surfaces is not so obvious – the sound of the wind in the grass, the wide range of sounds we are capable of producing with our voices for instance (the effect of air hitting our vocal cords.) These sounds are called ahata sounds or ‘struck sounds’.
Then we have the ‘unstruck sounds’ – the anahata sounds. These sounds have no discernable source and are heard from within. The more subtle nada yoga practices are focused on these inner sounds.
“When the mind becomes so absorbed in that sound that one is no longer listening to it, but is vibrating in unison with it, then the final state of Laya Yoga (Nada Brahman, or Oneness with God/Sound) is achieved.”
Muz Murray
Whilst it is true that it can take many years – even lifetimes – of spiritual practice to achieve this ultimate ‘Union’ with the Divine, I do believe that we all can and do catch glimpses of it all the time in our daily yoga practice and living. And when we sing!
Absorption in Sound
Our mind easily becomes absorbed in sound. This is why we all - even infants and animals - enjoy listening to music. When the mind is fully concentrated on anything there arises a feeling of inner bliss. In Nada Yoga, we learn that the source of the sound may be external or internal. The sound may be "gross" or "subtle." That is, it may be "struck" out loud (Sanskrit: "ahat"), as from a voice or musical instrument; or "unstruck" and outwardly silent (Sanskrit: "anahat"), arising inwardly as from the subtle currents of energy or prana moving throughout the body.
With practice, concentration on carefully selected outer or "struck" sounds will enable the mind to become calm and transparent. At this point you may begin to become aware of the subtle inner "unstruck" sounds. You might perceive inner sounds that seem like bells, or flutes, or even a hum like an electrical transformer. Some of these sounds are actually just the sounds of your own body: blood pumping, or the electrical energy of nerves and inner ear. Other, deeper, sounds are the "sounds behind the audible sound." It is into this deeper realm that Nada yoga can take you.
Some traditions tell us that this subtle, inner sound originates in the "heart chakra of the subtle body," considered the center of unstruck sound. Yogic tradition connects this inner sound with Kundalini itself.
In Nada yoga you concentrate on these finer and deeper sounds, moving from outer to inner realm, moving awareness from outer to inner sounds (Sanskrit: "nadam"), while all the time gently easing your mind into relaxed concentration and focus. This is a highly enjoyable form of meditation and it's relatively effortless: as you meditate, your entire being, every cell and atom and part of you, is being purified and balanced by the sounds that you are focusing on. Remember, whatever you pay attention to, you become. "Where you put your treasure, there you shall also find your heart." Therefore it is very important that you choose positive and enlightening music and sounds for this meditation.
"The Sound is inside us. It is invisible. Wherever I look I find it." Guru Nanak
Nada Yoga consists of two words. The Word Yoga means Union with the Divine Source of All Life. As the Divine is living within All things, so it is that there are many Pathways to the Divine. The major ones are named Siva Yoga, Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Mantra Yoga, whilst we also find many, many others including both Agni Yoga and Nada Yoga. In a sense Nada Yoga could be seen as a branch of Mantra Yoga as both are concerned with Sound. From the views of both the Hindu metaphysics of sound (which teaches that sound has a fourfold process) and the inclusive Tantric perspective, Nada Yoga could be said to incorporate and include all forms of Sound or Music. However, in practice the Nada Yogi places his or her focus upon what is termed the anahata nada or the inaudible (or a more literal translation: 'unstruck') sound. That is to say a sound that is not made as a result of two or more objects striking one another. It is, in fact, a sound not coming to the human ear from outside of the body but, rather, from within. Like many other kinds of yoga, one does not need to be a devotee of this path in order to have the experience. Just as one needn't be a Bhakti before experiencing union heart-to-heart with the Supreme Being. Because such experiences are rooted in Absolute reality, they are ever-present aspects of That Reality that can appear at any instant to any individual found to be providing the correct conditions suitable for receiving the experience.
There are three traditional forms of chanting in Nada Yoga: mantras, kirtans, and bhajans. These divisions are not to be confused - as they often are in workshops. Because these have generally been composed by yogis or saints, they are considered to carry a pure energy and to have a harmonising effect upon the physical body, astral body and mind. Mantra derives from two Hindu words Manas and Tra - manas meaning mind and tra meaning protection. How do we protect our minds? This refers to assisting our mind to stop its aimless wandering whilst trying to meditate. Via mantra - the repetition of certain sacred sounds - the mind attempting to meditate is prevented from its aimless wanderings and is given a focus to aid its concentration. Once we can find the quiet mind, it becomes possible to hear this inner sound that lies beneath, behind, and within all sounds. Mantra is, therefore, concerned with the power of sound to transform our consciousness/being. Likewise, Nada Yoga too concerns itself with Self-Realisation through the transforming power of sound; only of inaudible sound - which is not to be confused with supersonics (which is still a vibration that can be measured with scientific instruments); the sounding of the Inner Being - Divine Sound. Mantra or the making of sacred music are thus considered as outer expressions of Nada Yoga and if scientists can demonstrate that machines can utilise mechanically-produced sound vibrations for healing, then imagine what using our own Voice can do!
Therefore, Nada Yoga is the Path of Union with the Divine through Sound or Music. Once we are able to reach that place of great stillness and silence deep within our hearts, we are able to hear this 'Music of the Spheres'; we are able to approach the Source of our being through this gateway of Vibration - via this Path of Sound. The yogi mystics of India speak of outer sound, then of hearing ten inner sounds and finally hearing the One Sound - Divine Sound. This is a path of spiritual practice - attuning to this inaudible sound and thereby hearing the Voice of the inner Teacher - the Word of the Supreme Transcendent Oneness. Samadhi, or union with the Atman, or totality, can be entered into through Nada Yoga. At one and the same time incorporating the Transcendent and the Divine Imminent. After attuning to this quiet inner 'voice' deep within, it eventually becomes possible for us to find that inner stillness and silence at any time in our lives and most especially during times of crisis, stress, or misfortune and so enable ourselves to face such difficulties (and also to transform and evolve the inner elements of our being) with the supreme strength of the Transcendent Sound of Absolute Oneness and so receive the Great Love of the Divine Comforter. Becoming at-one with this Divine Sound-current opens us up to resonating with that Stream of Universal Love consciousness that flows throughout the entire body of Nature throughout all the galaxies and entire universe. I reach this conclusion also because the term Anahata is given to the Heart Chakra and it is likewise stated that one cannot hear this inner sound until one has progressed along the spiritual pathway to the level of the Heart Chakra and has, therefore, been born again within the Heart of the Divine Being.
One can say that Indian music today, with the exception of folk music, includes devotional music (Kirtan and Bhajan), as well as esoteric music linked to Nada Yoga which masters the aforementioned knowledge of the influence of sounds - and finally, ordinary concert music. These three may very easily overlap and there is no doubt that music as such affects us and therefore is often seen as being part of Nada Yoga. To that may be added the fact that Indian musicians, at least in earlier times, had to learn yoga and certain breathing exercises to strengthen and develop their ear for music.
Music helps us relax and creates an atmosphere, but Nada Yoga reaches deeper and more precisely into our states - and the actual Nada Yoga, the meditation on the inner sounds, has a strong liberating effect in dissolving the very deepest blocks and inhibitions of the mind. Therefore Nada Yoga belongs to Laya Yoga (Laya = dissolution).
"The deer is entrapped by sweet sound.The cobra is enchanted by sweet music. Raga Punnagavarrali charms the cobra.Nada entraps the mind.The mind gets Laya in sweet nada. Therefore you can easily control the mind Through the practice of Nada Yoga"
"By one who is desirous of attaining perfection in Yoga, Nada alone has got to be closely heard (meditated upon), having abandoned all thoughts and with a calm mind." (Sankaracharya, Yoga-taravali)
Psychosomatics (the relationship between body and mind).
There are methods in yoga where you do not have to suffer to liberate yourself from old influences or tensions, where you do not always have to confront your traumas but where you can dissolve them using other methods Laya Yoga and especially the discipline within Laya Yoga which is called Nada Yoga where you concentrate on the inner sounds. Despite the immediate interest of the scientist, it must have sounded rather shocking to his ears, because, despite the ostensible independence of science in relation to religion, the basic belief still prevails that things must hurt before they do us good.
Laya Yoga
Every meditation practice or technique which breaks down the inhibitions of the mind and brings its activities to a halt is called Laya Yoga. Under the heading of Laya Yoga you find many different methods and Nada Yoga is one of them. Even during the meditation, Antar Mauna (inner silence) you are able to bring your consciousness to a level of complete rest.
The ancient great masters of Hatha Yoga, such as Gheranda Rishi and others claimed that Hatha Yoga could also be a part of Laya Yoga. For instance, breathing exercises can be used to achieve a mental state totally free from tensions.