Meditation Environment

[Jitendra Hy-do-u-no-us?]

I have been increasingly aware of places and sounds that affect meditation. I have found that being near water-- rivers, the ocean or streams has a tremendous affect on the course of my meditations and the gentle sound of water flowing soothes the mind. Also I found that meditating with new age music seems to really have a wonderful interiorizing effect on my meditations.

Also the sounds of the wind high up in the trees reminds me of the sound of om. I think the sounds of nature are actually symbolic of the more subtle astral sounds. One of The main reasons most people are not responsive to the astral sites sounds and smells is that they are drowned out by human thoughts and emotions. But even the smells of water foliage and trees help us tune into more subtle levels of awareness.