In this August 2, 1976 letter, SHRI RAM CHANDRA of Shahjahanpur [BABUJI] reflects on silence as an inner spiritual condition, the lightness that comes from removing tension, and the way thoughts in meditation lose their force when attention no longer feeds them.
August 2, 1976
My Dear Poray,
Received your affectionate letter, we are bound by “yes” or “no.” But we do not know where to apply “yes” or where to apply “no.” This thing comes from the experience and experience comes from the experiment. When you think of anything in the affirmative way, it is explained. Further on, if we speak “no” for certain things then “no” is explained. When the tension is caused, detention goes. When the tension goes, detention is there, which is not so heavy but still it is something. When both are gone, that can be called the stage of Silence or the partial vacuum. There is no total vacuum, but we want to have as much as is possible. Total vacuum is God alone. When we merge in Divinity, the state of vacuum begins to dissolve itself, till it comes to the nearest. I think the subject is something other than that of your letter, but it gives some knowledge of the Absolute.
Silence is a part of a few grains of spirituality and not the reality itself. If we want to explain it we can say that “silence in silence,” as I have written to you before, is nearer to God. That means silence is itself the seat on which Silence stands. It can be shown practically and that you can do well. Just have an idea and thing will start. Sahaj Marg is a practical method for Realization and by practice alone we can interpret silence. There are so many worms outside, which our naked eye cannot see but they are there. So, silence is there in abstract form, though we may not be able to see it. It can be seen by constant practice. This is other way of explaining the same thing.
“So, by the prayer, we go from outside noise to outside silence. By the cleaning we go from outside silence to inside silence. Internal darkness is an inside noise coming from the tension of the body and of the mind. Removing tension makes a vacuum.” It does not sound well. By prayer we come nearer to our goal because we come in contact with the Being. There are two things, a goal of life and you yourself. Now, that yourself wants to merge in its Real Essence hence we derive benefits. If we remove all these things coming in, you will develop only hypnotic power. The same things give you Nectar if methodically done and the same proves harmful if it is not methodical. The method you know already.
Removing the tension means growing lighter, not creating the vacuum. That is a sort of change toward good. State of transparence is not a state of totally devoid of limitations, because there is something which allows you to peep into it.
Thoughts during meditation are just like the children playing on the road. When your attention is not toward thought, they are ineffective and are of no value. Thoughts do not disturb you, but you feel disturbed. The best way to get rid of them, you have yourself said. They rise for the sake of fall. They are leaving their field. Waiting for the Divinity to come in, it is our system that we want to be away from all things not necessary. Point “B” given in my book Efficacy of Raja Yoga is the homeland of impressions. When the force of meditation tears off veil of the heart, these thoughts are attracted because of a little bit of vacuum, which is there. When thoughts arise you feel disturbance. So the thoughts do not meddle with you. You meddle with them.
With blessing to all of you,
Yours affectionately,
Ram Chandra
FROM HEARTFULNESS INSTITUTE
The Heartfulness Institute is a global not-for-profit offering heart-based meditation, a yogic practice for inner well-being and collective harmony.
https://heartfulness.org/global/
Babuji
