Comments on: The Sound, Before Hearing http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/ Commentaries on Meditation, Zen, Buddhism, and Mindfulness Thu, 20 Nov 2008 18:07:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Wade http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-13139 Wade Fri, 08 Feb 2008 01:23:25 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-13139 @Marcus, what is the sound of the sound before you hear it? Where does that lead you to... @James, that's a lovely way to see the world. It's true that it's all in how we interpret things, to work out if they are pleasant or unpleasant. The underlying reality has neither quality, to see things like this and to accept any/every sound is so peaceful. @Gary, I like your view that it maybe tinnitus, but still seeing that as a tool of meditation. It's so true, and literal in it's 'working' that it made me laugh due to it's simplicity. Gassho. Are you going to be covering the Five roots of power any time soon? My first thought when covering mindfulness as a root was to check out your blog for your thoughts and comments on this teaching (it's from the Theravadan school). @Terry, You got it :). That's a very lovely poem, thanks for sharing that with us. @Aaron, That's very interesting, I'd like to hear more about this if you have time, please write more. May all beings have peace, Gassho, Wade @Marcus, what is the sound of the sound before you hear it? Where does that lead you to…

@James, that’s a lovely way to see the world. It’s true that it’s all in how we interpret things, to work out if they are pleasant or unpleasant. The underlying reality has neither quality, to see things like this and to accept any/every sound is so peaceful.

@Gary, I like your view that it maybe tinnitus, but still seeing that as a tool of meditation. It’s so true, and literal in it’s ‘working’ that it made me laugh due to it’s simplicity. Gassho. Are you going to be covering the Five roots of power any time soon? My first thought when covering mindfulness as a root was to check out your blog for your thoughts and comments on this teaching (it’s from the Theravadan school).

@Terry, You got it :). That’s a very lovely poem, thanks for sharing that with us.

@Aaron, That’s very interesting, I’d like to hear more about this if you have time, please write more.

May all beings have peace,

Gassho,

Wade

]]> By: Aaron http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-13004 Aaron Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:14:56 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-13004 During my travels in India I studied a practice of the inner sound current. It is a sound you do not hear with your physical ears. It is laterally an inner sound. Aaron During my travels in India I studied a practice of the inner sound current. It is a sound you do not hear with your physical ears. It is laterally an inner sound.

Aaron

]]> By: Terry http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12965 Terry Sun, 27 Jan 2008 16:39:35 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12965 In this moment, somewhere, far in the background, as in a painting, there is the knowing that I am sitting here, the birds chirping and the trains rumbling rapping along the tracks, but the experience before thinking, behind any thoughts or images, so do secrete themselves, is one of pure sound, just hearing, hearing,hearing......And in the hearing, the knowing of sound, beyond words like, chirping, beyond concepts like 'me' and 'hearing.' The knowing rests in the hearing. For now. they are one. In this moment, somewhere, far in the background, as in a painting, there is the knowing that I am sitting here, the birds chirping and the trains rumbling rapping along the tracks, but the experience before thinking, behind any thoughts or images, so do secrete themselves, is one of pure sound, just hearing, hearing,hearing…...And in the hearing, the knowing of sound, beyond words like, chirping, beyond concepts like ‘me’ and ‘hearing.’ The knowing rests in the hearing. For now. they are one.

]]> By: Gary http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12961 Gary Sun, 27 Jan 2008 13:53:13 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12961 The idea that 'The Sound of Silence' may be tinnitus has been suggested previously. The interesting thing is that even if it is a form of tinnitus it can still be used very effectively as a meditation subject. Sometimes it can be much louder than at other times, and there may be a number of reasons for this. It could be an increase in the ringing/buzzing itself, or it may be due to an increase in concentration. Some have found the sound of silence annoying after a while, wishing that they could turn it off somehow. But even responses like this are opportunities for reflection and a growth of wisdom. The question from a contemplative point of view isn't how long the sound has been present, nor even how long it will be present in the future. Rather, as the focus of meditation, the sound can be understood in this moment, along with all the mental responses that might arise to it, including questions like, "What is it?" With metta, Gary at Forest Wisdom. http://forestwisdom.blogspot.com The idea that ‘The Sound of Silence’ may be tinnitus has been suggested previously. The interesting thing is that even if it is a form of tinnitus it can still be used very effectively as a meditation subject. Sometimes it can be much louder than at other times, and there may be a number of reasons for this. It could be an increase in the ringing/buzzing itself, or it may be due to an increase in concentration.

Some have found the sound of silence annoying after a while, wishing that they could turn it off somehow. But even responses like this are opportunities for reflection and a growth of wisdom. The question from a contemplative point of view isn’t how long the sound has been present, nor even how long it will be present in the future. Rather, as the focus of meditation, the sound can be understood in this moment, along with all the mental responses that might arise to it, including questions like, “What is it?”

With metta,
Gary at Forest Wisdom.
http://forestwisdom.blogspot.com

]]> By: James http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12944 James Fri, 25 Jan 2008 23:20:06 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12944 Meditating really brings out the beauty in everyday (maybe sometimes annoying) sounds and noises. I listen to the construction tractor beeping during my meditation and just though how nice it is that this sound is helping to make my life easier. Meditating really brings out the beauty in everyday (maybe sometimes annoying) sounds and noises. I listen to the construction tractor beeping during my meditation and just though how nice it is that this sound is helping to make my life easier.

]]> By: Marcus http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12893 Marcus Tue, 22 Jan 2008 10:55:15 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12893 Just the way I think sometimes ;) I don't doubt that there may indeed be an underlying sound, but tinnitus is not an uncommon problem (and especially when it comes to certain nights at the Dendy). The question really is has the sound always been there and you've just never heard/listened to it before, or has it only started up recently? Just the way I think sometimes ;)
I don’t doubt that there may indeed be an underlying sound, but tinnitus is not an uncommon problem (and especially when it comes to certain nights at the Dendy).

The question really is has the sound always been there and you’ve just never heard/listened to it before, or has it only started up recently?

]]> By: Wade http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12891 Wade Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:57:52 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12891 @Marcus, you're correct, in listening to music with open ears. Not anticipating the sounds, but letting go, and having it wash over you. It's a bit like intensely hearing the track the first time. You hear the layers and harmonics you never heard before, yet not knowing what comes next, not searching, just really openly listening and enjoying. Every note perfect as it is, with the space around the note and the relations dancing...I used to listen like this in our 'hey day' sometimes in the back corners of Altitude in the Dendy. No one understood ;) @Terry, Interesting view of things. I see society driving us to learn new things, to replace things, always updating, things are built with an early expiration date according to many sources. Layer upon Layer we add. Buddhist thought, is the other way. We essentially unlearn, and come back to who we are. By meditating, there's nothing to gain, we come back to ourselves. We experience reality. Wish to order another mind? Sure :) Sit down on your cushion, do nothing, follow your breath, let go of your thoughts, coming back to breath, you will find yourself your original, unstained, pure mind. Good as new :) @Marcus, That's very engineer/clinical of you :) As they say "sound is the basis of form and shape. In the beginning was the word, and the word was god. We are told this is how the world began..If we put that into the modern idiom and say, from the great voids of space came sound and matter took shape" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ViMy_aIm5Q Om/Aum is the Hindu/Buddhist view of sound being the underlying 'thing'. From my understanding of quantum physics, particles operate on certain frequencies, vibrating....Sound :) May all beings be happy. Peace, Wade @Marcus, you’re correct, in listening to music with open ears. Not anticipating the sounds, but letting go, and having it wash over you. It’s a bit like intensely hearing the track the first time. You hear the layers and harmonics you never heard before, yet not knowing what comes next, not searching, just really openly listening and enjoying. Every note perfect as it is, with the space around the note and the relations dancing…I used to listen like this in our ‘hey day’ sometimes in the back corners of Altitude in the Dendy. No one understood ;)

@Terry, Interesting view of things. I see society driving us to learn new things, to replace things, always updating, things are built with an early expiration date according to many sources. Layer upon Layer we add. Buddhist thought, is the other way. We essentially unlearn, and come back to who we are. By meditating, there’s nothing to gain, we come back to ourselves. We experience reality. Wish to order another mind? Sure :) Sit down on your cushion, do nothing, follow your breath, let go of your thoughts, coming back to breath, you will find yourself your original, unstained, pure mind. Good as new :)

@Marcus, That’s very engineer/clinical of you :) As they say “sound is the basis of form and shape. In the beginning was the word, and the word was god. We are told this is how the world began..If we put that into the modern idiom and say, from the great voids of space came sound and matter took shape” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ViMy_aIm5Q

Om/Aum is the Hindu/Buddhist view of sound being the underlying ‘thing’. From my understanding of quantum physics, particles operate on certain frequencies, vibrating….Sound :)

May all beings be happy.

Peace,

Wade

]]> By: Marcus http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12863 Marcus Mon, 21 Jan 2008 07:54:38 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12863 Although I don't doubt that there could be more to this "high pitched continuous hum", it may very well be tinnitus. Although I don’t doubt that there could be more to this “high pitched continuous hum”, it may very well be tinnitus.

]]> By: Terry http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12860 Terry Mon, 21 Jan 2008 04:23:33 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12860 We are creatures who are forever learning and, as a consequence, modulating both ourselves and the world. And as a developing species, I have come to all this in a remarkable short period of time. Grrrrr.........Is there any chance..I could order another mind?! lol We are creatures who are forever learning and, as a consequence, modulating both ourselves and the world. And as a developing species, I have come to all this in a remarkable short period of time. Grrrrr…......Is there any chance..I could order another mind?! lol

]]> By: Wade http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12833 Wade Sun, 20 Jan 2008 02:28:06 +0000 http://themiddleway.net/2008/01/17/the-sound-before-hearing/#comment-12833 @Gary, thanks for posting your comments and the views of Ajahn Sumedho, very interesting points about the sound of silence, and a very beautiful quote too. @Greg, very nice pun :P @Gary, thanks for posting your comments and the views of Ajahn Sumedho, very interesting points about the sound of silence, and a very beautiful quote too.

@Greg, very nice pun :P

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