Hour 68 Meditation – Nadabrahma Meditation – The Humming Technique
Nadabrahma Meditation – The Humming Technique
Introduction to Nadabrahma Meditation
Nadabrahma Meditation, as created by Osho, is a special method that brings together the energy of sound, vibration, and stillness to induce a state of profound meditation. The term “Nadabrahma” is a combination of two Sanskrit words: “Nada” which stands for “sound,” and “Brahma” which means the divine or the ultimate reality. Humming and special hand movements are used in the technique to balance the mind, body, and soul, resulting in an extremely relaxed state and also an enhanced awareness.
While meditating in this way, the practitioner gently hums, vibrating the inner energy centers and bringing the mind to a state of calm. The humming also acts as a bridge between the unconscious and conscious mind, enabling the practitioner to release mental chatter and distractions.
Nadabrahma Meditation is a passive practice, meaning it doesn’t involve rigorous physical exercise. Rather, it takes the practitioner on an experience of internal sound and rhythm to attain profound awareness and relaxation. The hand movement and humming provide a meditative flow that leads to equilibrium, tranquility, and lucidity.
The Phases of Nadabrahma Meditation
Nadabrahma Meditation consists of three stages, each with a specific function in the relaxation process, energy activation, and stillness of the mind. The meditation takes approximately one hour and has both active and passive elements. Let us discuss the stages of this revolutionary practice.
Phase 1: Humming (30 minutes)
Purpose: To generate vibrations that assist in releasing mental tension and soothing the mind.
The first step is to sit in a relaxed posture with closed eyes and to hum softly. The hum should be calm and resonating from deep inside you. Hum any vowel sound such as “mmm” or “hmmm,” and the sound must fill the body with vibrations.
Technique:
Sit with crossed legs, straight spine, and hands on knees.
Begin humming gently, feeling the vibrations of the sound reverberate through your chest, head, and the rest of your body.
The humming should not be forced or loud; instead, it should be a gentle and continuous sound. Allow the sound to flow naturally without thinking about it.
As you continue to hum, try to bring your awareness to the feeling of vibration within your body. Allow the tone to become your main attention point and let it knock out any obtrusive thoughts or mental chatter.
Benefits:
The humming creates vibrations that activate the nervous system and energy centers within the body. This releases stress, mental tension, and emotional blockages.
As the sound vibrates inside you, it produces a meditative state that makes you connect with your inner self.
The humming rhythm also serves to calm the mind and brings the awareness into the present moment.
Phase 2: Hand Movements (15 minutes)
Objective: To further deepen relaxation and to channel the flow of energy in the body.
At this stage, you introduce a certain hand movement into the humming process. The hand movements are intended to enable the flow of energy and let the vibrations of the humming freely travel throughout your body.
Technique:
Close your eyes and continue to hum.
Using both hands, make a light movement by switching the positions of your palms. Start with your hands placed in your lap or on your knees.
Slowly and gently, rotate the hands in small circles, one hand at a time. The hands should rotate according to the humming tone. For every hum, the rotations should follow the rhythm of the tone.
You can begin the rotations by positioning the right hand on your belly and the left hand on your lap, then rotate the palms in opposite directions slowly.
Maintain attention on the stream of energy that is being channeled through your hands, and let the movements be relaxed and free.
Benefits:
The movements of the hands assist in channeling the energy that is stimulated by the humming so that it can pass freely and smoothly throughout the body.
This stage helps you form a link between your internal vibrations and the outer world, and your capability to notice your energy field is increased.
The circular hand movements create a sense of harmony between the body and mind, enhancing the overall meditative experience.
Phase 3: Silence (15 minutes)
Objective: To integrate the energy and let the body and mind rest in stillness.
Following the humming and hand gestures, the third step is total silence. During this step, you discontinue humming and stay quiet, letting the energy settle and become part of your being. The emphasis is on being present at the moment without any active participation.
Technique:
Sit comfortably with your eyes closed. Place your hands softly in your lap.
Let the vibrations of the humming and the hand movements settle within your body. Be aware of the stillness, and simply watch for any sensations or movement of energy without disturbing them.
This is a moment to rest in the awareness and silence of your own inner self. The stillness enables the flow of energy naturally and the mind to be calm and unruffled.
Benefits:
This stage assists in solidifying the experience of the earlier stages, enabling you to incorporate the flow of energy into your body and mind.
The silence brings clarity, enhancing the feeling of inner peace and tranquility.
As the vibrations fade, you feel a deep sense of connection to your own being and the space around you, grounded and centered.
The Purpose and Benefits of Nadabrahma Meditation
Nadabrahma Meditation is a method that has been created to assist in releasing tension, activating inner energy, and leading the mind to deep awareness. Through the use of sound and vibration, it allows the practitioner to transition from mental chatter and tension to one of deep stillness and presence. Some of the main advantages of Nadabrahma Meditation are:
Mental Relaxation:
The humming noise assists in calming the mind and mentally calming the mind. It leads the mind towards deep relaxation, which makes it possible for the mind to easily enter into the meditative phase.
Emotional Healing:
The vibrations from the humming as they resonate through the body allow the emotional blockages to be released, facilitating emotional healing and awareness.
Increased Energy Flow:
The hand movements channel the energy generated by humming, making the practitioner feel energized, balanced, and harmonized.
Heightened Awareness:
By the intense practice of humming and silence, the practitioners attain higher states of awareness and presence in the moment.
Spiritual Connection:
The vibrations induced in the course of this meditation can generate a feeling of unity with the divine or universal consciousness, developing a profound spiritual experience.
Tips for Practicing Nadabrahma Meditation
Establish a Peaceful Space:
Make sure that you are in a quiet, peaceful place where you can hum without any interruptions. A relaxed atmosphere makes the meditation more effective.
Begin Gradually:
In case you are new to the method, begin with humming and hand movements for shorter intervals and then progress gradually to the full session of 60 minutes.
Release Control
Let the humming come naturally, without attempting to control it. Let the vibrations be your guide, and do not seek to control the experience. Trust the process and let whatever occurs be so.
Utilize Sound to Intensify the Practice:
If you find yourself detached from the sound, experiment with varying pitches or levels of humming. The most important thing is to allow the sound to resonate in your body and direct you toward greater awareness.
Maintain Openness to the Silence:
Lastly, ensure that you completely immerse yourself in the silence after humming and hand gestures. Allow it to settle and notice the fine sensations in your body and mind.
Reflective Questions
How did you feel the humming in your body? Were there any specific sensations or feelings that came up for you as you kept humming?
What was it like for you during the hand movements? Did you feel your hands connected with the energy within your body?
How did the silence portion influence your mind? Were you able to feel more peace and calmness at a deeper level?
What did you learn or realize during the meditation?
How can you apply the feeling of calmness and harmony you felt in Nadabrahma Meditation to your everyday life?
Conclusion
Nadabrahma Meditation is a subtle yet powerful method that employs the energy of sound, vibration, and silence to induce mental relaxation, emotional healing, and spiritual awakening. With the practice of the humming technique, hand gestures, and accepting silence, the practitioner is able to transition from mental agitation to interior tranquility and stillness. The meditation not only achieves a sense of equilibrium but also provokes and harmonizes the inner energy, promoting a greater unity with the universe and oneself.
By incorporating Nadabrahma Meditation into your practice, you will be able to notice greater clarity, energy, and a deep sense of inner peace.