The Equinox (Volume I, Number IV)

THE TEMPLE OF SOLOMON THE KING The fire, that burns a piece of wood, dies, as soon as the wood is burnt out. So the mind concentrated upon the Nada gets absorbed with it. When the Antahkarana, like a deer, is attracted by the sound of bells, etc., and remains immovable, a skilful archer can kill it. Whatever is heard of the nature of sound is only Shakti.* The conception of Akasat (the generator of sound) exists, as long as the sound is heard. The Soundless is called Parabramha or Paramatma.} August 14th. Bought a meditation-mat and also a bronze Buddha, Nadi-Yama§ 10 minutes in the Saivite posture, in which my body-seat fits exactly into a square of about 18 inches forming the letter Aleph. Mantra (N.S.N.A.). At the 28th minute got faint sounds like a musical box worked by a mallet on metal bars. As I stopped I heard a piano very distant, The intense attention requisite to try to catch the subtle sounds of the Universe when in Rechaka prevents Mantra, as my mental mutter- ing is not yet absolutely automatic. 15th. By the five signs my Nadi are now purified.| But this appears to me as unlikely. Eyes on tip of nose. 5 minutes. The nose grows very filmy and the rest of the field of vision loses its uprightness and is continually sliding into itself across itself. A most annoying phenomenon. Nadi-Yama. 15 minutes. This becomes easier, Mental Muttering of Aum Shivayavashi. On the 17th August P. and MAitrananda left Colombo and journeyed to Kandy; Swami MAitrananda more particularly for his health; but P. so that he might escape the turmoil of a sea-port and to discover a suitable and secluded spot for a magical retirement, which he now had made up his mind to perform. 19th. Concentrated on point of base of brain. [To find this imagine cross-wires drawn between (a) ear to ear, as if a line had been stretched between * Mental or bodily attributes. t See 777, col. lv, p. 17. { “Hatha Yoga Pradipika,” pp. 97-100. Also, Amritabindu Upanishad, 24. § Nadi-Yama or Control of the nerve-channels by regular breathing, without Khumbaka or holding the breath. || He whose Nadi are pure has (1) a clear complexion; (2) a sweet voice; (3) a calm appearance; (4) bright eyes; (5) hearing constantly the Nada. 155