Sound has the power to charm, annoy, and even change history. Sonic Magic: The Wonder and Science of Sound reveals the historic force, promise, and potential of sound – and a strange phenomenon called cymatics that has created a new scientific mystery. Sonic Magic explores how sound has shaped our history, introducing us to fields of acoustic ecology and also research labs where sound is eliminating cancer tumours and much more.
The Ancient Science Of AUM Mantra
Saints in all religions revere the Cosmic Vibration. “The Qur’an refers to this sound in the words, ‘Be! And all became.’ Moses heard this very sound on Mount Sinai, when in communion with God; and the same word was audible to Christ when absorbed in his heavenly Father in the wilderness. Shiva heard [AUM] during his Samadhi in . . . the Himalayas. This sound is the source of all revelation to the masters. . . . It is because of this that they know and teach one and the same truth.” Thus observes HAZRAT INAYAT KHAN, in The Music of Life.
AUM is God’s Consciousness in creation. According to Paramahansa Yogananda, AUM is not an abstract principle, it is a scientific way of understanding and merging with the Divine Cosmic energy in the universe. “Through the actual hearing of this Cosmic Vibration, a conscious contact with God or Christ Consciousness can be established. Hence, in order to scientifically contact God, one must reach Him first through AUM” (Cornell 14).
Paramahamsa Yogananda says:
“I want to get this matter completely settled into your consciousness, that while prayer and meditation are good, and we should practice, we must not forget that the purpose of meditation is to receive this Holy Ghost. No one, if he doesn’t know the AUM vibration, can get there. That is all there is to it” (Cornell 12).
The Philosophy of Sound- Mantra Yoga
Mantra can be said to be the highest form of philosophy because it provides the concentrated form of language necessary to embody the highest truths beyond our physical reality. David Frawley remarks that Mantra is a deeper level of speech that reflects the laws of the universe, what is called dharma, 'that which upholds', in Sanskrit. Mantra is the 'language of dharma' that enables us to understand what dharma is and how it works. That is why in Mantra Yoga different sounds correspond to the natural and spiritual forces through which the universe operates, starting with Om itself as the cosmic word (Frawley 45).
Mantra Yoga provides us a means to understand the sacred sound from the perspective of a tradition that has taken it beyond mysticism into an organized and codified spiritual science. Mantra Yoga includes a study of the qualities inherent in sound itself, through which words and meanings are properly formed. It shows how sounds impact the nervous system, mind and heart, and how we can modify them to improve our lives. Regardless of which background or tradition you may personally follow, the insights provided in Mantra Yoga can be of enormous value to enable you to manifest your destiny creatively, effectively and completely through understanding the power of the Word, says Frawley (26).
