Swami Ramdas: In continuous remembrance of Ram Nam
The notion of a mantra or chanting as a means for achieving states of higher consciousness is well known in the East, but is only beginning to be explored in more recent years here in the West. A chant used for this purpose normally does not have many lyrics, it does not tell a story or have a romantic appeal–rather its simplicity is its power.
Recently a dear devotee was inspired by a statement Mother Hamilton had made, “If you call upon the name of the Lord for 24 hours unceasingly, He cannot refuse to answer. He must come to you.” Originally she thought to start chanting Ram Nam unceasingly the day after her long work day, but God prompted her to start immediately after, 11:00 that night. She asked for blessings for her accomplishment of this noble endeavor. I suggested anytime tiredness affected her that she walk and chant for some time.
It is interesting that God’s prompting made her chant throughout the night of a supermoon, a time when the full moon was to be closest to the earth (perigee) since 1948, and would not be this close again until 2034; a unique night for spiritual practice. Spiritually, full moons are considered favorable; it was on a full moon that the Buddha achieved nirvana and it was on a full moon that the gopis met Krishna in a dance of divine ecstasy.
Her practice brought to mind times at Anandashram, especially on full moon nights, when I climbed to the top of Manjupati, the hill behind the Ashram, and chanted through the night. On one such night I was unsuccessfully trying to remember a new chant I had heard at the Ashram when suddenly some distant temple in the valley below played over loudspeakers the very Ram Nam tune I had been trying to remember! (Only in India would a temple play a chant at this volume at 2 in the morning!) In heart-melting gratitude to the Infinite Beloved for answering this smallest of desires in such a unique way I looked out on the night, with dots of lighted lamps here and there below, in the distance incoming waves of the Arabian Sea reflecting moon’s light, with a shawl wrapped around me for warmth in the rare coolness, Ram Nam kept me company and lifted me into His Presence throughout the nocturnal observance. On other nights, when there was 24 hour Ram Nam at the Mandirs for some special occasions, I walked the Ashram walkways to quietly chant during the night.
I felt in sympathetic connection throughout for this beloved aspirant during her 24 hour practice. After this “experiment” she felt no tiredness, rather she was rested in a complete way. When drowsiness did come, she walked and chanted and did some yoga stretches without loss of Ram Nam, which was continuous. She also felt a deepened guru-disciple connection. From my own previous experiences I know this dedicated period of practice will reverberate into the future, strengthening her ongoing remembrance of God.
Ram Nam practice has a number of stages it takes the aspirant through. From the beginning chanting Ram Nam has given me a feeling of upliftment, peace and bliss. This purification results in continuous God-experience, feeling His presence permeating mind, body and spirit. At a certain point the vibration of Ram Nam enters the spine awakening an awareness of vast inner space filled with sacredness. The illumined spine and brain then effortlessly merges with outer creation–God within, God without. This universal vision confirms that there is no place where God is not.
When every cell of your being resonates with divine feeling you may be sure you are in God-consciousness. You know that you are not the body, not any temporary emotional state and you are beyond thought–you are eternal Spirit existing in a state of freedom. The power of chanting is just becoming more widely known, but what a power it unleashes to lift one and all into the bliss of His Presence–that through continuous and earnest practice He must come to you.
Note: Since returning from the Redwoods God has kept me in a powerful inner experience that keeps me indrawn in Him. It is for this reason I am not giving a talk this Sunday, the week of Thanksgiving. Know that I am with you in Spirit.