Mandukya Upanishad (2)

Second in the series of five sessions on the Mandukya Upanishad given at Mandala Yoga Ashram in 2002. The first session was introducing the Upanishad, here Swami Nishchalananda introduces his commentary on the text starting from verse 1.

Be in touch with the inner space
…. within that space
thoughts, feelings,
and sensations arise….

The recording starts with a guided meditation which leads us into a visualisation of the symbol representing OM, a visualisation taking us to the world of archetypes through the point representing the window between the un-manifest and manifest worlds.

Verse 1 , what does OM represent? We know it is a symbol of a ‘primordial vibration’. Therefore a means by which the manifest arises from the un-manifest. We can see this in quantum physics in relation to matter, but what about the possibility of past and future also arising from the realm of archetypes? A radical idea.

‘reality is a circle
whose centre is everywhere
and whose circumference
is nowhere’

The place where manifestation takes place can be expressed as that circle whose centre is everywhere and whose circumference is nowhere; go the other way and that point becomes a ‘trapdoor’ into the un-manifest.

We then look at the practice of chanting ‘OM’ as a way of stopping that aspect of the mind that forces us into our particular world view. That world view which is the collection of filters that cloud the clear window through which we see the world, and beyond. Swamiji explores this idea in great depth.

But as individuals, we are bound by concepts, cultural, spiritual etc. and this is necessary for us to function in the world. Yoga also involves acceptance of the way we are,  with the qualification that it may promote changes more conducive to ‘spiritual progress’.

Verse 2 starts with the powerful statement that the individual consciousness is inextricably and intimately reflected in, and as, the cosmic consciousness. The mind dictates the life in Time and Space, but Consciousness, as Atma or as Universal Consciousness, exists outside of Time and Space. 

The Upanishad then divides existence into four parts, or fields of activity, and this forms a central theme to the subsequent text.

Another short meditation / reflection ends this recording.