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Wolfgang
Germany
470 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 07 2006 : 03:59:23 AM
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Hello,
I found the AYP website just 3 days ago and I am quite
inspired to read all the topics.
Now I am wondering about the mantra I AM
As my mother tongue is german I am wondering wether
I should use the german words for I AM = Ich bin
Anybody has any comments on this ?
regards
Wolfgang |
Edited by - AYPforum on Feb 06 2007 12:37:49 AM |
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Lili
Netherlands
372 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2006 : 04:35:33 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by Wolfgang
As my mother tongue is german I am wondering wether
I should use the german words for I AM = Ich bin
Anybody has any comments on this ?
Hi Wolfgang, here is the relevant lesson:
Lesson 115 - Q&A – Mantra, language and meaning
From: Yogani
Date: Thu Feb 12, 2004 0:49pm
New Members: It is recommended you read from the beginning of the web
archive, as previous lessons are prerequisite to this one. The first
lesson is, "Why This Discussion?"
Q: English is not my first language. I am wondering if I should
translate the mantra "I AM" to my own language and use that for
meditation.
A: It is a good question. Others have asked it too. Even those of us
who have english as our first language should take note of the
following suggestions.
No, don't translate the mantra. As has been said before, the mantra
is not about language or meaning. If we had been given it orally,
there would be no spelling, no language, and no meaning. Just a sound
vibration to use in meditation in that specific way that allows the
mind to go naturally to stillness.
Since we are doing all this in writing, we have to spell the mantra.
With or without spelling, it is just a sound that is found to have
certain good qualities deep in the nervous system. This was reviewed
in lesson #59 – "Some mantra particulars." It is found in the
english/christian tradition as "I AM." It is also found in other
traditions and languages in similar forms, and sometimes identical.
The natural vibrational qualities in our nervous system are
universal, and not determined by language.
If the I AM spelling is distracting, then think of the same sound
spelled another way like – AYAM. Same pronunciation, no meaning,
and no language. If we try and attach a meaning to it, we will not be
doing our meditation a favor. Let there be one sound in our life that
does not have a worldly connection. Let it be the mantra. The mantra
should mean only one thing – It is our ticket to ride to the
infinite. Let us use it for that, and for that alone when we are
meditating.
If meanings and language come up in meditation, we just regard them
as any other thoughts coming up, and easily go back to the mantra at
whatever level of quietness or fuzziness it is. Then we continue our
inner march to stillness, inner silence, pure bliss consciousness.
The mind settles down to stillness best when using the vibration
alone. Meanings tend to pull us to the surface of the mind, so we
easily let them go and favor the finer levels of the vibration of the
mantra. Meanings and language are for the outer word. Vibrations
naturally becoming finer and finer are for the inner world of pure
bliss consciousness. The mantra is for that. It is not a word of
meaning. It is a vibrational vehicle that refines and disappears as
we ride to the infinite every day.
In time, with the easy daily practice of meditation, our inner world
of silent pure bliss consciousness becomes always present in our
outer world, and vise versa. The gateway of our nervous system opens
wide. We experience the truth of yoga, the joining of the infinite
with our every day life. We come to find we are That.
This glorious outcome has nothing to do with language or any outer
meaning of the mantra. We leave all that behind when we meditate.
The guru is in you.
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Wolfgang
Germany
470 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2006 : 04:50:29 AM
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Thanks a lot.
I will then try the mantra sound AYAM.
I am then just wondering if my subconscious mind
will still try to put a meaning to the mantra ... |
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Katrine
Norway
1813 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2006 : 04:52:47 AM
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Hallo, Wolfgang
Herzlichen wilkommen 
We are happy to have you with us.
May all your Nows be Here |
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Katrine
Norway
1813 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2006 : 05:04:15 AM
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Wolfgang:
If your mind tries to attatch meaning to AYAM - don't fight it. Simply turn your attention back to the vibration/sound. You are listening to AYAM - you are not doing anything. A meaning is just another thought. Drop it and favor the .....ayam... Don't intone the mantra very clearly. Just a simple....ayam....
Yogani says to say the AYAM in a "fuzzy" way.
Please keep us posted on how you are doing!
May all your Nows be Here |
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Wolfgang
Germany
470 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2006 : 06:02:19 AM
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@Katrine: Greetings to Norway and thanks to your explanation.
I will then apply fuzzy logic ;-) |
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Shanti
USA
4854 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2006 : 08:20:42 AM
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Wolfgang.. welcome.
and whatever else Katrine said
Nice to have you with us.
It may be helpful for you to go the topic index
http://www.aypsite.org/TopicIndex.html
Read through the Meditation lessons. These will be very helpful. Also, if you do enjoy it, you can get the "Deep Meditation" book written by Yogani. It is a small, easy to understand, precise book.. gives you everything you need on techniques, problems, questions and feelings that come up during meditation.
Wish you good luck on your chosen path. |
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NagoyaSea
424 Posts |
Posted - Apr 07 2006 : 11:32:59 AM
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Welcome Wolfgang!
We're glad you're here and that you found AYP!!
Light and love,
Kathy |
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Wolfgang
Germany
470 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2006 : 06:53:49 AM
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So many welcomes ! Thank you.
Seems to be a very nice place here with many nice people !
I am reading many postings here and I feel there is so much
to learn and to share; I wish I could be like that little
robot Number 5 browsing with high speed through all the
information ;-)
Anyway, we all come from different backgrounds and we all
have different experiences in our lives.
I am on the spiritual road since a long time and have gone
through many hardships. Especially since middle of last year
the pressure but also the enlightenment has been very
extrem for me. I had times where I no longer was sure
what kind of reality I am living in. Well, it's not over
yet - I am still having situations where I am wondering
what reality is and how I am really influencing my
reality. May be I just have to be more relaxed and
not put too much stress on myself.
regards
Wolfgang |
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Shanti
USA
4854 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2006 : 09:43:10 AM
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quote:
Especially since middle of last year
the pressure but also the enlightenment has been very
extrem for me. I had times where I no longer was sure
what kind of reality I am living in. Well, it's not over
yet - I am still having situations where I am wondering
what reality is and how I am really influencing my
reality.
Hello again Wolfgang.. I think you have come to the right place.. most of us here have had similar experiences. Maybe you would like to give AYP a try.. it has helped a lot of us here..
I hope you will stay with us |
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maya_1347
USA
19 Posts |
Posted - Apr 08 2006 : 3:50:55 PM
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Welcome Wolfgang,
Yes wolf this forum is a very interesting place. |
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Wolfgang
Germany
470 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2006 : 05:40:02 AM
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Coming back to topic: "I AM" is of course a very powerful word.
I am saying this, because I have been reading a lot about
the channelings of St. Germain and whoever is familiar with
these channelings knows the emphasis on "I AM".
That probably is one of the main reasons why I was asking
about the mantra I AM = AYAM
I still suspect (in a positive sense) that the mantra AYAM
somehow is using the power of I AM in some way and when
you are looking at it in a "fuzzy" way, then both aspects,
the meaningless sound of AYAM and also the power of I AM
are present in this mantra.
just my 2cts worth ...
best regards
Wolfgang |
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weaver
832 Posts |
Posted - Apr 09 2006 : 10:20:31 AM
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Hi Wolfgang,
I also think that there is a lot of significance in I AM, in the bible too it stands for the name of God. So I agree that the meaningless sound of AYAM and also the power of I AM are present in this mantra. If you haven't already, you may find it of interest to read the lesson about mantra design:
http://www.aypsite.org/188.html
When we meditate, it doesn't matter if we use the sound of I AM or AYAM, which should be the same, as long as we don't associate the mantra with any meaning. It is also best if we don't try to control the mantra in any way, so sometimes it can become fuzzy or faint, sometimes it can be clear, the speed and location can vary etc., we just let it be what it will be and don't even reflect on it. Here are some good discussions on these topics from before:
http://www.aypsite.org/forum/topic....TOPIC_ID=639
http://www.aypsite.org/forum/topic....TOPIC_ID=598
http://www.aypsite.org/forum/topic....TOPIC_ID=678 |
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Wolfgang
Germany
470 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2006 : 06:35:42 AM
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Thanks, weaver,
your post and my own reflections have brought up
another idea/question:
we are speaking of a mantra AYAM - I AM and that
it is not the meaning but that it is the sound of it
that matters most.
Now so far I have understood that I should form this
mantra in my mind only. But if it is to be a sound,
should I then not also speak out the sound loudly ?
With my voice I could then also experiment with
different pitches and different strength (loudness).
Anybody's experiences/thoughts please on this.
Regards
Wolfgang |
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weaver
832 Posts |
Posted - Apr 10 2006 : 08:05:06 AM
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Wolfgang,
In deep meditation the mantra is formed in the mind as an inner sound because by making the mind following it, the mantra will take the mind to inner silence, which is an important aspect of enlightenment. Pronouncing the mantra externally with the voice is another process than deep meditation, and doesn't produce the same effect.
Chanting I AM is not recommended if you are using it in your daily meditation. The reason is that we use the mantra for going inward to stillness of mind and body. This is discussed further in AYP Lesson 59. |
Edited by - weaver on Apr 10 2006 08:14:04 AM |
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Wolfgang
Germany
470 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2006 : 09:34:20 AM
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Sorry to bother you again,
I am concerned about the suggested daily 2 meditations of 20 min each.
Since about 6 months I am doing a daily exercise of Tai Chi/Qigong
which lasts almost 1 hour. I usually am doing it in the morning,
and I find the exercises are doing me very good.
Now I am a bit concerned, if doing the additional AYP-meditation
could may be put too much input on my system.
Is it possible to combine the Tai Chi exercises with the meditation,
I mean, can I regard the time spent in Tai Chi as meditation time ?
And should I do then the 1 hour Tai Chi in the morning and
do another 20 min of AYP-meditation in the evening ?
Interesting: the Tai Chi-teacher I had mentioned also, that
when doing the exercises it may happen that our mind wanders off
and if we realise that this happened, we just gently should
come back concentrationg on the exercise - a very similar way
as is taught here on AYP ...
regards
Wolfgang |
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weaver
832 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2006 : 10:33:07 AM
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Wolfgang,
Deep meditation and Tai Chi/Qigong are 2 independent types of practices that produce different effects, so therefore one would not compound the effects of the other. The time spent in Tai Chi should not be counted as meditation time when doing deep meditation. As said in the lessons, it's best to do the 20 minutes deep meditation in the morning before breakfast, and in the late afternoon or evening before dinner. The Tai Chi session(s) could be done at any time. |
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Shanti
USA
4854 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2006 : 10:35:57 AM
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Hi Wolfgang. Glad to see you are still interested. Well, I would not be the best person to guide you, but I know a lot of people here who do Tai Chi/Qigong.. and AYP. Not sure if they do an hour of it though.
I think you should start off with meditation. See how it feels. Try 20 mins and if 20 mins seems too much you could do 10 mins. Actually doing meditation may complete the process.. if you know what I mean. Meditation and spinal breathing will even out the energy that gets generated by asanas (in your case tai chi).. and all together will make a perfect harmony.. Try it, if you think the energy is more than you can handle.. I guess you could back down. But I think, since you have been into Tai Chi for some time now, you should be ready for meditation.. I think you will really benefit from it..
You can check out what Yogani says in lesson#147
http://www.aypsite.org/147.html
quote:
Asanas and pranayama are part of this process of going to stillness.
With easy bending and stretching we begin to quiet the nerves, and
prepare the spinal nerve for pranayama. With pranayama, we further
quiet our entire nervous system and cultivate it in a way that
prepares it for deep meditation. That is the traditional sequence for
best results in a routine of practices -- asanas, pranayama, and
meditation. And it really does work
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Anthem
1608 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2006 : 10:41:59 AM
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Hi Wolfgang,
Another idea is to reduce your Tai Chi time a little bit if you are feeling it is difficult to get everything in. You will reap great benefit from doing the AYP practices twice a day as outlined by Yogani, you will be moving at maximum speed in terms of clearing out blockages and karmic debris and your Tai Chi will provide great grounding as well.
Maybe 40 minutes of Tai Chi will suffice, you can always try it and see? You will feel great benefit over time from doing the AYP practices regularly as many here can attest!
Obviously the twice a day AYP practice sessions are ideal for spiritual progress, but of course once is better than none!
all the best,
A |
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Sparkle
Ireland
1457 Posts |
Posted - Apr 11 2006 : 12:25:52 PM
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Hi Wolfgang, welcome aboard
In the past I have alternated between doing Tai Chi and Asanas and found that the asanas stirred up emotions. Tai Chi on the other hand had a very smoothing effect on my energy and helped calm things down.
This was going on at a time when I was very vulnerable and anything would set me off, so I was particularly sensitive at the time.
This is just my experience with Tai Chi and Yoga asanas, others might have a different experience.
If my experience is generally true however, it would indicate that AYP and Tai Chi could be practiced together without the practices compounding.
I would be interested in other's experiences of this.
Louis |
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Wolfgang
Germany
470 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2006 : 06:21:58 AM
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Hello again !
I have been following the lessons (up to No. 60 till now)
and I have come across the question "Are you ready?"
Well, I don't really know if I am ready. After waiting
a day or two, I just continued on reading the lessons.
I probably am very hungry when it comes to expand and
grow spiritually but also I may not be patient enough
with myself (and maybe also sometimes with others).
Ok, when reading about pranayama I realized following:
it was suggested to inhale first and then when exhaling
to restrain the breath a bit. It seems that I have a
tendency (or habit) to restrain the breath also when
inhaling, sometimes I restrain both on inhaling and
on exhaling, sometimes I restrain on inhaling only !
What effect would this have ?
And what is the effect of restraining breath on exhaling ?
I am sure there is a corresponding lesson on this, but
I try not to jump randomly to advanced lessons.
Thanks in advance for any hints.
(Also I don't know if it is recommended to continue
this thread or to start a new thread)
regards
Wolfgang |
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weaver
832 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2006 : 07:34:37 AM
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Hello Wolfgang,
It's good to hear about your progress. I know what it feels like to be hungry to move forward spiritually, and this bhakti is what will take us the fastest. But sometimes we have to manage it so we don't overdo because there is only so much that our system can take. Just a reminder that the AYP lessons are not intended to be carried out as fast as they can be studied, every new main practice is intended to be solidly integrated and become smooth before we add a new one, which can take weeks or months or years.
Spinal breathing pranayama is intended to have some restraint of the outgoing air but not the incoming, so one should just favor this until it happens by itself, even if there are spontaneous variations in the beginning as you experience. The slight restriction on exhalation enables us to extend our exhalation in time (it is okay for exhalation to take slightly longer than inhalation), and also places some positive pressure in the lungs, which stimulates the purifying and opening effects of the pranayama. It is said that it's not good for the lungs to restrain the air on the inhale in the long run. However, by opening the throat slightly during inhalation there will be a beneficial stimulating effect in the area behind the throat area in the upper spine and medulla oblongata (brain stem). |
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Jim and His Karma
2111 Posts |
Posted - Apr 20 2006 : 1:20:07 PM
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Wolfgang,
Using this forum as the primary means of learning AYP is a mistake in my opinion. I'd suggest you go directly to the source material.
This forum's just a breezy discussion around and about AYP. The teachings themselves are quite rich and profound, and written in a way that gets inside you. I'd suggest you read them and stay with them, and come back if you have questions or just want to share experiences and observations.
Also, you may find it a lot easier to read the Advanced Yoga Practices material in actual book form (it also includes some good extra info). I did (and still do!). Order at amazon (just search for "yogani" and "advanced yoga"). |
Edited by - Jim and His Karma on Apr 20 2006 1:20:59 PM |
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AYPforum
351 Posts |
Posted - Feb 06 2007 : 12:37:49 AM
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| Moderator note: Topic moved for better placement |
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Topic |
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I AM Mantra
