A lifetime is not sufficient to master all the scriptures. So know the essence of the scriptures.
–Sri Lahiri Mahasaya
Study of scripture is an essential part of religious and spiritual discipline. Since the ultimate goal of religion is to awaken to the Truth of our innate spiritual nature—to realize who we are, what our life’s purpose is, and how to live it—study of scripture provides an avenue for encountering and contemplating the teachings that guide us to this goal. Spiritual Truth is eternal and the way to realize it is universal. The scriptures, as revelations of Truth, can shine a light upon our path and help to awaken our dormant innate wisdom. The Truth we are looking for is not external, something to be acquired from without. Nor is it new, something yet undiscovered. That which we seek is within us, the knowledge of our essential Self. How do we encounter the Self and discover the Truth for ourselves? Study of scripture can help, especially if approached in an intentional way.
There are many ways to approach the study of scripture—including exploration of the origins of the work, its historical context, nuance of word usage and meaning and its metaphysical meaning. For the truth seeker approaching scripture as an inspiration to spiritual insight and a guide to daily life, there are three essential steps that support insight. These three steps help us assimilate the teachings so that the scripture comes alive for us. It moves from the page (or the words of the teacher), to the mind and heart, and then into action, inspiring a new way of living.
These three steps identified in Vedic teachings are called (in Sanskrit): shravanam, mananam, and nidihyasanam. Shravanam means hearing or listening. It refers to hearing the words of the scriptures from, and studying with, a qualified teacher. This may be in a setting where the teacher’s words can be heard, or it can be receptivity to the teacher’s written word as a commentary on the scripture. We begin with listening. Perhaps we have “heard” the scriptures for years but never really listened, never had the experience of profoundly receiving what was heard. Usually it is the contact with the spiritual teacher that makes true listening, or shravanam, possible. When the scriptures are illuminated by the teacher, or guru, our own understanding is quickened. Suddenly, the words have life, and meaning. Study with the teacher offers transmission of the teacher’s spiritual insight, awakened consciousness, and connection to the divine grace of the tradition that the teacher represents. We can also benefit on many levels—physically, mentally, and spiritually—from hearing the mantric vibration of the sacred words and phrases of scripture.
Mananam is reflection, using our intellect to discern the truth of the teachings. When we hear or read the scripture, that study should be followed by reflecting upon its meaning until understanding dawns, our doubts are removed, and insight is clear. This is how we begin to consciously assimilate the wisdom of the scriptures. A good exercise at this point is to write about our understanding, and put the teachings into our own words.
Nidihyasanam is meditative contemplation. In this step, the initial insights are taken into meditation with the intention to know the truth about what is being examined. The Truth we seek is within, thus we direct our attention and awareness to the revelation of innate knowledge. When the mental field becomes clear in meditation, we have the ability to examine, and discover, whatever we seek to know. When insights about the nature of Reality are revealed in meditative contemplation, this further purifies our mental field and clarifies our understanding, which positively affects our experience of life. The essence of the scripture comes alive in us through our insight and direct experience of it. Our perspective changes and the teachings can be integrated into how we live.
—Ellen Grace O’Brian
