Philosophy Of Liberation Interfaith

Author(s): Paramhansa Maharaj, Donald Howard, Veena Howard
Publisher: USA Santmat Society of North America

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66. Without question, the Divine Sound or Original Sound leads to the Ultimate State or the State beyond Sound. However, it should not be thought that one should not meditate on the Sounds of the lower realms because they are material in nature and, therefore, deleterious to man. (It is necessary and desirable to begin the practice of Surat-Shabda-Yoga (the meditation on Sound) by meditating on other Sounds found in the lower realms. In fact, to begin the practice of Surat-Shabda-Yoga in an attempt to grasp the Essential Divine Sound is simply not possible.)
This reasoning is supported in the Upanishads. For further elaboration on this subject, refer to sections 44, 45, 46, 59 and 60 of this work.
67. Although the practice of the Yoga of Vision is more difficult than the Yoga of Sound, nevertheless it is necessary to practice initially the Yoga of Light (Vision) to attain one-pointedness. It is unnecessary to continue practicing the Drshti Yoga (Yoga of inner Light, Vision) once one is steadfast in one-pointedness. In fact it is undesirable as it will require more time and offers a more difficult path than the Surat-Shabda Yoga (Yoga of Sound).
68. Having attained one-pointedness, the consciousness should be focused on the internal Sounds. The consciousness will be drawn toward internal Sounds, and at this time bindu (the point) will be left behind. Owing to the extreme delight experienced when hearing the internal Sounds, the consciousness naturally will be engaged in the internal Sounds. This leaving of the point and grasping of the internal Sound is the meditation process and is highly desirable.
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