30. NĀDĀNUSANDHĀNA
D: What is meant by nādānusandhāna?
A: Generally speaking, it is also a kind of meditation.
D: How can it be practised?
A: There are a few ways. I shall mention one of them. The ear, nose and mouth should be closed with the fingers and the sound that is heard inside one’s ears should be carefully listened to.
D: How is one to breathe if the nose and the mouth are closed completely?
A: I did not mean that the nose should be shut completely.
D: Is there any benefit in paying attention to the sound produced inside?
A: Yes. It is essential to make the mind one-pointed. This can either be done by fixing the mind on a form or by paying attention to a sound. External sounds are attenuated when the ears are closed. However, the internal sound is clearly apprehensible. By directing attention to that sound, the mind becomes one-pointed.
D: How is one to concentrate on the sound heard internally?
A: One can focus the mind on it just as one would concentrate on an external sound. This is because the internal sound can be heard when the ears are closed.
D: While meditating in this manner, is it necessary to concentrate on a form?
A: No. Fixation of the mind on the sound within is sufficient.
D: What will result if the mind is fixed on the sound?
A: Gradually, the mind becomes more and more peaceful. External sounds and other disturbances cease to distract the concentration. The sound heard from inside becomes very clear. With the passage of time, different internal sounds are heard. Finally, all sounds cease and the mind plunges into samādhi.
D: Can we see the manifestation of any special power when meditating on the internal sound?
A: Sometimes, one can hear the sounds or conversations that originate far away. However, one should be indifferent to clairaudience and just continue with one’s meditation. One’s spiritual progress will suffer if one turns to clairaudience and the like that may manifest.
D: Is nādānusandhāna better than meditation on a form?
A: I have not said so. All depends on the competence of the disciple. The Guru may advise nādānusandhāna for some disciples and meditation on a form for some others.
D: Is there any speciality in nādānusandhāna as compared to other methods?
A: (Smiling) Even a person who is not proficient in nādānusandhāna ought not to be disturbed by external sounds and external forms since his ears and the eyes are closed. You can consider this itself as a speciality!
D: Is there any difficulty in practising this type of meditation?
A: (With a smile) Will there not be pain when the hands are used to close the ears for a long duration?
NĀDĀNUSANDHĀNA 223
D: Is there an alternative method of practicing nadānusandhāna?
A: I have watched Buddhists practising meditation with an aid of a bell that rings for a long duration. Two persons sit facing each other. They alternately ring a bell and concentrate on the sound. There are other such methods in vogue.
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❑ Incidents from Acharyal's Life
Acharyal recounts His experiencing nirvikalpa-samādhi through nādānusandhāna:
In the last of the seven dreams in the course of which I received instructions about yoga from Śiva, the Lord had taught Me nādānusandhāna. After that, I began to practise it for some minutes, once a week. One morning, as usual, I closed My ears, nose and mouth with My hands to commence My contemplation on the sound heard in the right ear. The ocean-like sound that I heard abruptly grew in intensity. Then, in quick succession, I heard a variety of sounds. These included those of a drum, a flute and a vīṇā. Each sound lasted for only a few moments before being replaced by the next. I had heard the same sounds, in the same sequence, when the Lord had demonstrated nādānusandhāna in the dream. When the last of the sounds ended, there was just silence. My mind became extremely tranquil and suffused with bliss. The sense of “I” rapidly faded away completely, and nirvikalpa-samādhi ensued. Only non-dual, objectless consciousness remained. About an hour passed before the mind descended from samādhi.
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