3.42 Divine hearing

3.42 Meditative integration (samyama) on the relationship between hearing and space (akasha) results in divine hearing.

The Sanskrit word akasha includes among its many definitions the concepts of space, sky, atmosphere, and the notion of the ethereal fluid that pervades the whole Universe. Akasha is also the vehicle of life and sound. One way to approach this meditative integration on the relationship between sound and space is to notice silence. Recognize that silence is the medium making sound possible. For example, when learning a language, you notice that there are different words when you can notice the silences that separate them.
Can you experience silence?
As you sit quietly, is there an ongoing internal commentary precluding you from having the direct experience of silence?
What happens when you invoke the deep silence you attain during dreamless deep sleep?
Then, can you investigate if developing an intimate relationship with silence influences how you perceive sounds?
When you are established in silence, are you better able to listen to others?
How does awareness of the relationship between silence and space affect your capacity to listen for the silent insights of wisdom?

As usual, one more way of exploring the meaning of this sutra is by chanting it.
You can choose to chant it in its traditional form with some of the words coming together:

3.42 śrotrākāśayoḥ saṃbandhasaṃyamāt divyaṃ śrotram
श्रोत्राकाशयोः संबन्धसंयमात् दिव्यं श्रोत्रम् ॥४२॥

Another option is to chant each word in the sutra individually:

• śrotra
• ākāśayoḥ
• saṃbandha
• saṃyamāt
• divyaṃ
• śrotram

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This is an excerpt from the book Unravel the thread: Applying the ancient wisdom of yoga to live a happy life

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