Saba Ghata Ajapa

A Doha by Saint Sahajo Bai

In her doha, Saint Sahajo Bai gives us a way to become mindful of the spontaneous repetition of the mantra within: “by focusing your awareness on the heart.”

On the Siddha Yoga path, when we speak about the Heart, we refer to the center of stillness and bliss within our being. We attune ourselves to the Heart when we still the thought-waves in our mind—enable it to rest in its source.

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Stilling the mind is a delicate task. The mind has its habits, and we cannot force it into submission. In her Message for 2019, Gurumayi addresses this challenge, teaching us to approach the mind kindly and respectfully, and to lead it inward, again and again, with gentleness and ease. And it is this ease that saint Sahajo Bai speaks about in her doha. The name Sahajo, in fact, means “easefully.” So, the poet-saint herself embodies easefulness, assuring us that we do not need to struggle.

You may attune to the Heart by just sitting in nature and allowing its beauty to still your thoughts, bringing your focus inward. You may remember and relish the love you have for the Guru. Or you may spend some time watching the natural flow of your breathing. As the mind becomes quieter and you find yourself centered in the Heart, the saint says, “easefully observe this natural repetition.”

The Hamsa mantra repeats inside of you constantly with each breath. Observing this natural flow of your breathing with a mind that is attuned to the joyful stillness of the Heart, you become able to recognize that each breath proclaims your identity with the great Self—Hamsa, “I am That”.

With time, the more you practice focusing the mind on the Heart and observing the spontaneous mantra within, the more you’ll find that the mantra will arise in your awareness, effortlessly.

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Doha: Saba Ghata Ajapa

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    I understand why the title and the frame of this doha are shown as golden. Sahajo Bai’s doha summarizes exactly the right effort I need to commit to, and the doha introduction guides me carefully in my practice.

    When I’m driving my car, I am conscious of the noise of the engine, my speed, and the road, while I keep my vigilance and ease. When I am walking, I practice an “inner walk” founded on breathing comfortably. This discipline nourishes me with happiness and a sense of oneness. 

    Now I realize that I have to go further and refine my practice. I need to see my life as a constant meditation with open eyes. I should be physically at ease while gently drawing my attention inside, toward my heart and my breath, aware of So’ham. Over time, I am sure this practice will become more and more natural and joyful.

     

    Rodez, France

    With Gurumayi’s encouragement to practice repeating the mantra So’ham this year, I have been looking for a way to focus on So’ham as I walk in nature and maintain awareness of my physical posture. Today, before seeing this doha, I was inspired to repeat So’ham on my walk.
     
    At first I repeated the syllable ham on the inbreath and coordinated that with lengthening my spine, and then the syllable sa on the outbreath as I focused on my heart area. What seemed self-conscious and a bit awkward at first soon felt natural and, as Saint Sahajo Bai says, spontaneous. I was surprised that I could let go of the physical prompts to myself and watch them meld naturally into the syllables of the mantra. I felt expanded, happy, and light as So’ham took over!

    Ohio, United States