Chanting: Beginner's experience (new person)

Liberty · 08-02-2005, 07:22 PM

Hi,

Having lost my way for a couple of years, I have recently picked up from where I left my interest in Buddhism at the point of feeling a deep resonance with the teachings of Nichiren.

For a week now I have been chanting morning and before sleep. The most curious sensation that closely resembles a warm joy wells deep in my core and travels to my heart and then goes in seconds, but it is a very intense experience, delightful and makes me feel lovely. I cannot help but smile when this happens.

I guess I am curious as to understand beyond my own feeling comprehension what may be occuring and wondered if anyone here has any thoughts. I'd be interested in your sharing of them.

Thankyou,
Liberty

InLove · 08-03-2005, 04:28 AM

Namaste, Liberty,

Peace to you, and welcome to CR

.

I am in no way qualified to answer your question about chanting. I am not Buddhist--but somehow I understand something about Buddhism. I cannot even call myself a "Zen-Christian" as far as I know (yet). Maybe I never will.

What I do know is that music has the same effect--more than effect--I am somehow taken and transcended and enlightened and at one by some kinds of music.

I noticed that no one had answered yet--there are some here that I am sure can speak with you in more depth about the experience you describe. I suppose I just wanted to say that I can relate, somehow, to what I think you are writing about.

Am I making one bit of sense here?

Even if I am not, I just wanted to say, "Hello".

InPeace,
InLove

Liberty · 08-03-2005, 10:19 AM

Namaste InLove, and hello.

Thankyou for your welcome. What you have to say makes every bit of sense and certainly connected with the depth of feelings I was trying to recreate so that I might make some sense in my enquiry!

I had not thought how closely what I eperience in chanting resembles the feelings that are evoked for me too quite often on allowing myself to be attuned to various pieces of music. It is a very good comparison and in many ways I feel so very blessed that I am able to experience the rhythm of my own inner music as it appears to be touched through chanting. I guess it's the hows? and whys? that leave me curious.

The analogy of music is relevant for sometimes and quite unconsciously I begin to rock ever so gently back and forth when chanting as though I am somehow physically moved to the sway of some inner music.

Actually, you encouraged me to dig out a book called Music and the Mind by Anthony Storr which supports the individual's reflection about the impact and significance of music on the psyche. He argues that the patterns of music make sense of our inner experiences, giving both structure and coherence to our feelings and emotions. (Well that's the blurb on the sleevenotes!)

Thankyou for sharing your thoughts which make complete sense and have been helpful in encouraging my thoughts.

Take care,
Liberty

Awaiting_the_fifth · 08-03-2005, 11:16 AM

Hello Liberty,

I am not familiar with the teachings of nichiren and have not really ever chanted, but this chanting sounds to me like a kind of meditation. The mind focused on a single object, the chant, everything else is drowned out and you have inner peace for a moment.

I think I know the feeling you are describing. After a good meditation session I feel an incredible peace and contentment which sometimes lasts for seconds, or many hours. Unfortunately the feeling always fades eventually, and I become my old, irritable self until my next meditation.

You say you are curious to understand this feeling? I would say simply that this is the true feeling, the real human condition, perhaps a glimpse of the Buddha nature within you when your mind is quiet. Maybe with practice or using different techiques you can hold on to this feeling for longer.

Paladin · 08-03-2005, 02:20 PM

How wonderful to touch on something so beautiful in meditation. I used to feel that way when I first began the practice of chanting the six syllable mantra.
One caveat though, it is important to not get attatche to the phenomena experienced during meditation. The danger lies in constantly trying to recreate the experience instead of being mindful of what is really going on inside you. Distractions are many and can hinder growth.

Peace

Mark

Vajradhara · 08-03-2005, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liberty

Hi,

Having lost my way for a couple of years, I have recently picked up from where I left my interest in Buddhism at the point of feeling a deep resonance with the teachings of Nichiren.

For a week now I have been chanting morning and before sleep. The most curious sensation that closely resembles a warm joy wells deep in my core and travels to my heart and then goes in seconds, but it is a very intense experience, delightful and makes me feel lovely. I cannot help but smile when this happens.

I guess I am curious as to understand beyond my own feeling comprehension what may be occuring and wondered if anyone here has any thoughts. I'd be interested in your sharing of them.

Thankyou,
Liberty

Namaste Liberty,

welcome to CR. enjoy your stay

metta,

~v

Liberty · 08-06-2005, 10:26 AM

Thankyou all for your thoughts. Mark, I appreciate your drawing my awareness to something that unconsciously had already been felt; namely the anxiety around the experience and my both anticipating its return with each sessional practice but also mindful not to rely on such an expectation to serve as a motivational factor to practice daily.

Metta,
Liberty