Importance Of Mauna In Yoga

Significance of Mauna in Yoga Practices

Chapter I

Meaning and Purpose of Mauna

This chapter attempts to bring about clarity as regards the understanding of the concept of Mauna, its meaning, what it is and what it is not, what different purposes it serves for different people in different contexts and in what way its use can be understood in the sphere of yoga.

Hence, it is in order, first, to consider the various meanings ascribed to the term Mauna, which is generally understood as silence.

I. Meaning of Mauna

Dictionary Meaning of Mauna

Mauna is basically a Sanskrit word. The term Mauna (मौनम्) or Maunitva (मौनित्व) means silence, taciturnity, silence of the mind – as in मौनमुद्रा (the attitude of silence) and मौनव्रतम् (a vow of silence)

Change in each and everything is the ever-present reality. Change is a movement, a vibration, gross or subtle. There is no place and no time where / when some action is not happening; some change is not occurring. Even our thoughts are movements in time. If there is movement, action, change, then there is vibration. Thus, the state of no vibration is non-existent in the creation.

Now come to the second thing i.e. medium. The entire universe is pervaded the medium of space. In fact, in talking about anything, even of God for that matter, the medium (space or akasha) where it exists is assumed. There is no state where there this medium is not there. Akasha or space is omni-present and all-pervading. This medium may be too subtle and beyond the limits of normal sensory perception but nevertheless its presence is

This points out that one has to measure and observe 1. the necessity of communication, and 2. the input and output of the senses as a means to obtain inner silence. Thus, it can be inferred that the concept of Mauna as propagated in yoga and other spiritual traditions is not to stop talking but to have control over the expressions of the senses. It is sometimes said that Mauna is power, the living force, the only reality, the soul, peace, strength, goal, aim and purpose of our existence. That state which transcends speech and thought is Mauna or