The Rhythm of the Mind

The Rhythm of the Mind

by | Oct 20, 2024 | Music, Sadhana

Introduction

In this second post about music, Leslie shares how her musical journey through Amrita Virtual Academy with the ganjira led her to start to learn how to play the kaimani*, the challenges she faced and ways she could overcome them.

* (handbells – kai means hand and mani bell in Malayalam). 

The Rhythm of the Mind

In my first blog, I shared my journey with the ganjira.  Let me now share with you how the ganjira led me to learn kaimani, about the challenges I faced while practicing and playing with others, and the wonderful ways I was shown to overcome those challenges.

During a silent retreat in Hawaii, despite being a beginner, I was blessed to play the ganjira during bhajans. While I was playing though, the singer sitting next to me gave me a thumbs up and then indicated that I should play softer, and then softer, and even softer until I was effectively muted!

So, following his guidance, I continued to play the ganjira very quietly, while still enjoying the amazing energy that is created when one is inside the music with a group of musicians. I felt like I was blessed to be allowed to experience a world in which I felt I didn’t actually belong.  

Kaimani teacher Lalita

The next day, it just so happened that I met Lalitha, who was also at the retreat.  She offered to show me a few simple beats to play for each of the bhajans scheduled for that night. I could not imagine how I was going to remember everything.  But when it came time, I somehow remembered all she had shown me! 

The kaimani player and I connected during this set, and while making eye contact, he mouthed the beats and rhythms for me to follow.

Then, the same person who had asked me to play quietly the previous night –  started asking me to play louder and louder! 

So the next night, I tried once again to play the ganjira.  If I didn’t know how to play properly, I flipped it over in my lap and tapped in rhythm along with the kaimani player.  That is when I realized that if I wanted to hear the music better I needed to also learn kaimani.  

I soon began taking kaimani lessons through Amrita Virtual Academy.  When I signed up, I was so surprised and encouraged to see that Lalitha was actually one of the teachers!

…by continuing to show up, and by practicing my instruments, I trust that I am doing what I can to become fit for the path...


My son’s old room has become my puja/music room where I practice.  But just like my sadhana, I often don’t feel like practicing my instruments when it is time.   

Every morning, when I ask myself to stay focused while chanting archana, I find my mind wandering.  It is the same with my music practice.  I can intellectually understand what I need to do, and set an intention, but there is always the mind creating a distraction.   I find that the same qualities of shradha (faith and loving awareness) and laksha bodham (intent on the Goal)that are needed for the path are needed for learning these instruments.  

Just as when I learn about the teachings of Vedanta, I can intellectually understand them, but I find it difficult to put them into practice in my life. I find myself challenged to move from a concept, an understanding  of the rhythms I want to play,  to an experience of actually being able to play them.  This requires repeated effort and grace.  In this, and other ways, these instruments become my teachers. 

To be honest, when I sit along with the musicians during bhajans, I’m not actually that comfortable.  If I listen to my mind telling me that I am an old western woman with no musical talent, I won’t be able to do anything. 

…by practicing, and holding a vision of letting a pure divine expression shine through, I keep going.  I am always glad I did afterwards.  I just let the discipline lead.  One day, maybe I will be clear enough to have the kind of one pointed focus that allows the Divine to shine through in a pure form…  

But, still, I just keep showing up, not caring so much about what I think and feel. And by practicing, and holding a vision of letting a pure divine expression shine through, I keep going.  I am always glad I did afterwards.  I just let the discipline lead.  I trust that I am doing what I can to become fit for the path.  

Amma says we are not kittens—we are lions.  We are not candles that need to be lit by the world—we are the self effulgent sun.  Why should I care what my mind says?  I should be willing to sometimes not shine, but still be able to offer whatever I can to Amma.  After all, she will not waste half a grain of rice; She will find a way to do something good with me.

One day, maybe I will be clear enough to have the kind of one pointed focus that allows the Divine to shine through in a pure form.  

For now, regardless of what my mind thinks, I just keep showing up.  It’s time to practice.  


Thanks to Leslie for sharing her inspiring experience with Amrita Virtual Academy. We encourage you to try out the Kaimani Course with Anu Chechi and Lalitha, here.

Amrita Virtual Academy offers a wide range of musical classes, from singing to learning different instruments. See more here.

As a Amrita Virtual Academy member you have access to more than 60 different courses in different fields. Discover more about the AVA Membership here, and join.

My Experience of the One-Day Mantra Japa Retreat with Swami Atmananda 

My Experience of the One-Day Mantra Japa Retreat with Swami Atmananda 

by | Aug 6, 2024 | Sadhana

One of the most popular retreats in Amrita Virtual Academy is the Mantra Japa retreat with Swami Atmananda Puri. Several students have given glowing reviews after participation. In this blogpost we will go deeper into one student’s experience.

“Receiving my Guru mantra from Amma was a blessed moment I will never forget”

I got my Guru mantra from Amma during a European tour almost 20 years ago. It was a blessed moment I will never forget, with Amma whispering in my ear, blessing me with a shower of flower petals, leaving me feeling high but also grounded. I sensed something important had happened, even if I did not understand what, nor the value of the mantra at that time. Amma says:

“When Amma gives you a mantra, She sows a seed of spirituality within you. She transmits a part of herself into your heart. But you have to nurture that seed by meditating, praying, and chanting your mantra regularly, without fail. You have to be totally committed.


“The natural way to get yogurt is by adding a spoonful of yogurt to warm milk. Having added the culture, you let it stand for some time, and thus, all the milk is transformed into yogurt.“In the same way, Amma has transmitted part of herself into you. Now you have to ‘let the milk stand’- you have to attain a state of inward stillness by constantly repeating your mantra and doing other spiritual practices. Your entire being will thus be transformed and you will then realize your divine nature.”

My intention was to practice mantra japa daily as Amma instructed. I knew intellectually what a big blessing it is to have received a mantra from someone like Amma, but it was not really clear to me how to chant it apart from knowing it should be internal and as continuous as possible. And if I am honest, I did fail in more hectic periods to sit down and do my round of at least 108 mantras a day, as Amma advises. In those periods, at least I repeated the mantra throughout the day as soon as I remembered it, but that meant that on some days I chanted more frequently and it almost flowed by itself, while on other, more busy or “emotionally busy” days, I almost didn’t remember it at all! However, whenever I did remember to chant, I always felt a sense of peace in the otherwise busy mind with all its different thoughts and feelings.  That is how I knew the mantra was a precious gift I needed to treasure more. 

When I read about the Amrita Virtual Academy retreat on mantra japa practice, I felt it might be Amma’s way of drawing me closer to the practice! I felt I needed guidance and inspiration to become regular with mantra chanting (japa), and tools to connect more deeply with it. I also had questions about the pace and the mental “volume”.
So I did the one-day retreat. It was perfect! First of all, living in the world, it was a welcome day of rest from the daily grind. It was an opportunity to go within in a focused and guided way, which had a lasting and positive effect on my mind. The schedule is not that strict so I could be flexible and still have some time to take care of other things. But still organized so I had the opportunity and framework to go deep within. I remember that day: it was winter, it was snowing outside and I felt that the stillness of Nature reflected the stillness of the retreat. 

“It (the mantra) was peacefully cleansing and put tensions to rest.”

The retreat exceeded my expectations. The waves of peace from taking that time to go within caressed my mind for days. Swami Atmananda is such a good teacher, his teaching style very clear, organized and down to earth. 

In the retreat, he taught several different japa techniques and meditations on the mantra. One really spoke to me so I have been practicing that off and on since. 

The best moments during the retreat were when I experienced the mantra being a wordless energy, full of divine light and subtle love, flowing through my body. Just like being in Amma’s presence. It was peacefully cleansing and put tensions to rest. A presence to rest within, a feeling of it being so intimate, almost being one with me. Or me being one with it. I am so happy I partook in the retreat.

 “I have grown to consider my mantra my best friend who never lets me down.”


Afterwards,  I have grown to consider my mantra my best friend who never lets me down. It makes me relax. I used to forget my mantra on rough days or not remember it until late. Now I often turn to the mantra as if turning to a friend when in distress, to feel more peace and clarity within. The problems might not get solved, but often my mind gets clearer and I can respond better to situations rather than react.  When I cannot, I still feel more peace within, which is the biggest win. I still might not be as disciplined with the meditations I learned in the retreat as I wish, but as Amma says:

“Don’t feel sad that you cannot be as disciplined as you would like to be. Do what you can. Don’t be sad about what you are not able to do. Don’t push yourself too hard. Don’t suppress or judge yourself. Give the body the food and sleep it needs. There is nothing wrong in that. But don’t overly pamper yourself either. There may be lapses in your discipline. We may fall down. But we shouldn’t allow it to make us feel frustrated.”

Today I at least make my round of chanting 108 mantras every morning as I enjoy it and see the benefits; it sets the tone for the day and makes the mantra come more easily to the mind throughout the day.

Thank you Swamiji Atmananda and the Amrita Virtual Academy Team for making this retreat available to us.  Though physically far away from Amritapuri, getting closer to the energy of the mantra brings me close to Amma. 

Amrita Virtual Academy offers several sadhana retreats, including three Bhakti, two Gita, and others addressing challenges on the path such as taming the unruly mind, working with fears, or finding our purpose.  There is also a new library of satsangs and guided practices. There are two Mantra Japa retreats, level 1 and level 2. The participant in the blog wrote about level 1. As a member you get access to all retreats, as well as over 60 other courses and workshops! Become a member now!