Hangsa

Hangsa is a composite sound pattern, useful in refining breath awareness and in attuning body and mind to the more subtle realms of spirit; from which all life has had its origins. Hangsa is the phoneticall representation of the mantra hamsa – a swan, literal meaning “I am He”; hamsa is believed to be the natural vibration of the Self, which occurs spontaneously with each incoming and outgoing breath. By becoming aware of hamsa, a seeker experiences the identity between the individual self and the supreme Self. Can also be repeated as so‘ham; when intoning hamsa, the consonant ‘m’ has a nasal resonance, hence hangsa.

There are several legends related to hansa (swan) and sometimes a yogi at a particular stage of development is referred to as a swan, there is also a reference to the goose that has to reach high above the earth in its flight across the Himalayas. Sanskrit is a sacred language, each letter an energy package in which prana manifests in a tangible form. It is by listening to the breath that we discover the spirit or essence of the breath in the form of ‘so’ on the in-breath and ‘ha’ on the out-breath.

Sanskrit is a sacred language, and its sound forms have links with the creative sound geometry of the universe. When repeating words as mantra, the will and motive of the user is pivotal. There are mantras that are applicable to all levels of human endeavour; yoga mantras however, focus mind and heart on the highest level of spiritual endeavour. This is highlighted by the mantra termed Gayatri. It is Om. Bhur bhuvah swah: Tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi Dhiyo yo nah prachodayat. Om. (Translation Ernest Wood’s Yoga). We meditate on the most excellent glory of the divine Sun (or Source); may ‘That’ direct our understanding.

Bhur, bhuva, and swah remind the worshiper that this is taking place in three worlds at once; bhur is the world of time with its inherent karma that keeps calling us back to deal with previous setbacks. The intermediate world, bhuva, is analogous to the higher mind, intelligence, logic and spiritual perception. Swah is the transcendent and heavenly, wherein lies perfect freedom and the mantra hangsa is one of the keys that may help us to achieve that freedom.

Words tend to capture the mind and influence the user within the context in which they are used. Words used as mantra transcend the familiar and have the power to lift the mind and heart into the realm of the spiritual. The following descriptive use of Hangsa may vary tonally for students who have knowledge of Sankrit Euphonics, and as their meditative experience grows.

Calming the breath, helps calm the mind, in preparation for meditative breathing. (Hangsa) starts with a long peaceful inflow of the breath, during which it is felt the breath becomes more refined, as if it were ascending and reaching up toward the subtle realms of spirit. The breath is then allowed to hang momentarily and enjoy a moment of perfect stillness, (the heavenly); the peace and stillness is then allowed to descend with the out-flowing breath ‘sa’ into all areas of the body. The reverse, sohang, can also be used with the returning in-breath before repeating the exercise.

The body is a contested zone between the spiritual and the subconscious in which hidden and repressed energies fight to try and re-establish control; it is not possible to pour new wine into old bottles without running the risk of pollution and being contaminated with the old. There has to be ‘Self’ guidance, periods of rest, which allow time for the transition to more refined levels of spiritual consciousness.

The mantra hangsa leads to still timeless moments that re-fresh and heal, extends the natural span of life, opens the doors to all possible worlds and awakens the wisdom that can help transform this world and ourselves.