Siddha Yogis’ Experiences of Nada, The Divine Inner Sounds

Several months ago I was doing my regular silent meditation when I started hearing a soft humming. Slowly the sound became louder and clearer, a continuous chanting of OM. It sounded gentle and relaxing, as though many people were chanting together. I continued meditating and hearing the OM sound for around thirty minutes. When I opened my eyes, the sounds disappeared slowly. I was very happy because I understood the significance of the sound.

These events repeated for three consecutive days. On the last day, to my surprise, I could hear Om Namah Shivaya well-synchronized with the background slow OM. I was not very familiar with the chant of Om Namah Shivaya, and I became very happy when I discovered its spiritual significance.  
 

Irun, Spain

I read Swami Siddhananda’s share with interest. I've had many experiences in meditation over the years, but I didn’t recall having ever experienced inner music, and I wondered why. However, a few days after reading Swami ji’s share, I was meditating, and at one point during the meditation, I realized I was listening to an amazing, really indescribable symphony, with sounds I've never heard before. It was beautiful.

Texas, USA

In the early 1990s, after having offered full-time seva for several years in Siddha Yoga Ashrams, I began graduate studies in nursing. I held the intention to bring the same level of focus and dedication to my studies that I had learned to bring to seva.
 
My preparations for my first exam involved memorizing a number of chemical structures. One day, after studying with great focus, I stopped to rest. As I lay quietly on my bed, I heard nada. It sounded like the drum that is played before the Evening Arati. I also experienced a powerful, vibrating inner energy. While part of me was completely absorbed in this experience, another part of me was thinking, “Wow! This is incredible. I was just studying chemical structures, and now I hear the drum from the Evening Arati and feel this amazing power alive inside of me.” The experience lasted for at least twenty minutes.
 
In deciding to embark upon my studies, I had been concerned that I would not feel as connected to Gurumayi as I had when serving full-time in the Ashram. This experience of nada, however, encouraged and reassured me that while wholeheartedly following my dharma in whatever form it takes, the power of the Siddhas would be alive within me.
 
Thank you, Gurumayi!

California, USA

For the past two years, during meditation, I have had the awareness of an energy sound, a humming, in the sahasrara. A few days after participating in the Shaktipat Intensive, following the recitation of Shri Guru Gita, I spent time in the back of the hall with Bade Baba, absorbed in his picture. I sensed his living presence. I heard, "It is me." I felt he was referring to the energy and humming sound I experience.

Since the Intensive, wherever I am, whatever I am doing, I can turn within. I can listen to the humming sound and feel I am having darshan of the Guru.

Sydney, Australia

Thank you, Swami Siddhananda, for this beautiful share. The vivid description of your experience reminded me of a time many years ago when I was preparing to participate in a Shaktipat Intensive by studying the Guru’s teachings on mantra. I found a passage in which Baba wrote with such conviction about the importance of listening inside for the mantra. His words went straight to my heart and filled me with enormous yearning and I prayed to experience the mantra in this way.

The next day, in the first meditation session of the Intensive, I plunged deep into stillness. From that silence a powerful roaring arose within me. My whole being was vibrating with the sound. It was exhilarating and very loud, as though I was inside a jet engine. After a time the sound became a brilliant light, and golden letters of the mantra Guru Om formed within that light. The roaring sound had become the mantra—still vibrating with great intensity, yet more quietly. I felt that my prayer had been answered, that this experience was a response to my great desire to know the true nature of mantra.

I am deeply grateful for this experience, which continues to unfold many years later.

Melbourne, Australia

During the years 1998 and 1999, meditation was my favorite Siddha Yoga practice, and I meditated early in the mornings. In meditation I would enter a state of calm. I could hear different nada, like the sounds of burning wood and the humming of bees. Once it rose loud, like thunder. The state of tranquility that listening to the nada brought me to would sometimes be sustained for two or three days.

After sixteen years the inner nada began again after I participated in the Shaktipat Intensive, Chanting Is the Way. Since participating in the Intensive, I have refreshed my meditation practice. Once again, I meditate early in the mornings. The thunder sound of nada arises in my heart. My heart dances in bliss.

Thank you, Gurumayi, for your unconditional love and blessings.

Basmathnagar, India

Once, when I was young and very new to sadhana, I was offering seva as a musician for a Pilgrimage to the Heart Retreat in Gurudev Siddha Peeth. While we were sitting in meditation following the chanting of the mantra, I heard the sound of a mridang. It surprised me that someone in the hall was playing the drum during meditation. I opened my eyes and looked around, and everyone was in deep meditation. I thought the sound might have been my imagination, and I went back into meditation. Again, I heard the same sound inside me. This time I was a little bit afraid, and I silently went outside the hall.
 
However, following this event, my life changed a lot. I began to do better in my studies. My teacher was surprised when such a poor student as I had been scored the highest marks on the board exams. After that, I continued to do well on all my exams, and now I am a successful government employee.
 
I feel that God arose in my heart in the form of nada and changed my life that day in Gurudev Siddha Peeth.

Udhana, India

Recently, at a satsang, as we were sitting quietly for meditation after a rousing namasankirtana, I heard the sound of flute music—beautiful, lilting, melodic flute music. I became completely intoxicated with the alluring sound, and I fell deeper and deeper into a sublime meditation. There were no flute players with us. It was a sweet gift of grace that arrived through the power of chanting.

Thank you, Gurumayi.

California, USA

Thank you, Swami ji, for your share, which has reminded me of my experience of Gurumayi's talk on her Message. The main thing I remembered from the talk was that we should make an effort in order to have an experience of the Message. So I resolved to try as best I could to do the practices. Soon afterwards, I awoke one morning hearing a sound. At first I thought someone was playing music, but then I realized that the sound was coming from inside me. It was AUM. The M of the AUM was extended and long—AUMmmmmmmmmmm.

I listened for a while with great attention, and then realized I had to get out of bed and get on with my day's activities. As I did, the sound continued—the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. It was still there when I sat for meditation.

After meditation, I no longer heard the AUM. However, I feel blessed and grateful, and I continue to make an effort, as advised by Gurumayi.

Thank you, Gurumayi, for your love and guidance.

Chertsey, United Kingdom

Swami Siddhananda shared that after chanting for several hours and then entering into meditation, she experienced deep silence and the emergence of nada from that silence. This inspires me to experience chanting as the way.

I am so grateful for the clear and unmistakable direction I have received through this experience share.

Alaska, USA

Thank you, Swami Siddhananda, for your eloquent share about nada. The timing of this piece was just perfect for me. I had an experience of nada yesterday and have been contemplating it, and your share answered some questions for me. I recited Shri Guru Gita and then went into meditation. I heard a sound which is hard to explain, like a sonic hum. It seemed to come from the depths of my being. It brought me into a deep silence and a space of calm serenity—yes, into a space of flawless quietude!

Thank you, Gurumayi. Your grace and teachings continue to unfold my awareness and bring me closer to the Truth!

Vermont, USA

I really connected with Swami Siddhananda's sharing of how she experienced the nada arising from within. It has increased my longing to listen for that deep quietude out of which these sounds arise.

New York, USA