Out of tune...
hariḥ oṁ
~~~~~~
namasté
It seems to me the more I look the more I see us collectively out of tune. I think of a piano that is just off tune…
yet over time the slight off-tune is taken to be ~ normal ~.
The common piano’s middle C is most often recognized in terms of pitch . It is middle C because it is the 4th C within an 88 keyboard.
When it comes to tuning a piano the notion of ‘equal temperament’ is used. Middle C plays its role as the reference point for the anchor
note of A ( or vibration) is used, which is the 1st A above middle C; every pitch may be derived from its relationship to a chosen fixed pitch,
and that is to this A note ( or 440 Hz vibration).
Fine tuning occurs when all the other notes align to this foundational note of A within the piano being tuned. Pending the age of the piano, the
wood, its moisture content , its environment ( hot, cold, dry, humid) the tuning may require some slight modifications so the piano plays in concert
to itself in a harmonious way.
Another way of looking at this ‘off tune’ is that of a radio. The station drifts and then the listener is adjusting the knob to get the station strength back
to its optimal setting so the fidelity comes though and the sound is most crisp and clear.
It seems to me that many in our society do not know of this tuning ability within themselves. That over time one’s views, perceptions,
mental health ~ drifts~ like the radio station. The new location of the station seems to be ‘good enough’ and that is now taken as normal,
one’s equal temperament is lost or was never really established. One’s view of the world is now ‘blemished’ by this off-station location.
It is my humble opinion that one’s spiritual unfoldment is the method to keep one in tune. The native or aspirant can do general things for one’s well-being
AND society’s well-being by their alignment to good mental health ( equal temperament). There are some that want to advance even further and this may require
a ‘pianoforte’. This is the name given in years past for the piano tuner professional.
In my analogy (upamitti¹) this would be the guru, or ācārya¹, teacher or paṇḍita¹ . Some are fortunate to meet this person, others not so much.
But in either case, one does not need to leave their unfoldment to the capricious direction of the winds.
For me I see 3 components/qualities or stations (tryadhiṣṭhāna¹) where equal temperament blossoms to its fullest ( other’s here on HDF may differ).
Now I choose my support from a luminary utpaladevācārya¹ who could say it much better than I ever could. Let me offer these 3 for your kind consideration.
- First, let my mind take a dive into that lake of pure awareness/pure consciousness ( this is code for śivatattva or Pure Being )
- Next, let me be without rāga dveṣa; let me be with balanced perception ( equal temperament) on all sides.
- And, the third one is this: bhagavannānandarasa plutāstu ne cinmayī mūrtiḥ ||
- This 3rd one says,
bhagavan (Lord), let me (astu) exchange (me) this individuality (mūrtiḥ) and become submerged/filled (pluta) with the nectar (rasa)of joy/pure happiness (ānanda) of pure being/pure awareness (cinmayī) or god consciousness.
These three all work together…it is one view from 3 different windows. if I may ( as it is a joy for me to comment on this 3) let me take up the insights to the 3 above in
the next post.
iti śivaṁ
words
- upamitti - knowledge of things derived from analogy or resemblance
- ācārya is the master, knowing or teaching the ācāra or rules, the spiritual guide
- paṇḍita – learned, wise, ‘well versed’ scholar , philosopher
- tryadhiṣṭhāna – having 3 stations
- Utpaladevācārya’s three notions comes from his śivastortāvalī stotram
यतस्त्वं शिवसमोऽसि
yatastvaṁ śivasamo'si
because you are identical with śiva
_
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