Date Posted:09:50 Author: Mahavira - 4 Sept 01 Subject: Re: Ham-sa or So-ham??? In reply to:
Jiminy Cricket - 15 Aug 01
's message, "Re: Ham-sa or So-ham???" on 09:49
Hey, some teachers have taught Hong-Sau one way and others another way. Neither is more right than another. Most important thing is sincere practice and to do as the Guru has taught - that means that for those practicing Hong-Sau under the guidance of Yoganandaji, they should do it as he taught. There are several subtle spiritual meanings for the differences in the way Hong-Sau technique may be presented.
Hong-Sau in a very real way IS Kriya, because it is by Kriya that the true meaning of Hong-Sau as the natural mantra of the breath is realized in its deeper significance. Breath, the symbol of duality, gets merged in the oneness of Aum and in merging with and ultimately transcending that Aum the Absolute is realized.
By the way, the oldest teaching of Hong-Sau in the scriptures confirms it as being Hamsa and not Soham. Yet Soham is equally valid for it is an application of Hamsa that is termed in India as "Ajapa-jap", the reversal of mantra formula for attaining same end. (Hamsa mantra is the only one I know of that applies Ajapa-jap).
Underlying energy of breath (prana) is one though it appears as two currents in the manifestation of breath. This means that either current can be used as vehicle for relative awareness of either "I am" or "He". The Absolute, the basis on which these two relative perceptions rest, like the two sides of a coin, is one.
This subject can be expanded on further in an infinite number of ways.
