The Shamanic Vonnegut: Or, The Fine Art of Hearing the Purple Hum
Aug 6, 2019
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The podcast explores the relationship of the trance state to the violet hum, drawing on Zen koans, Greek myths, and Tantric visions of consciousness. It discusses the character Billy Pilgrim in Slaughterhouse Five and his experiences of being unstuck in time. The chapter also explores the concept of merging into the present moment, the blind seer in Greek tradition, and the practices of sound and meditation in tantric and yogic practices.
33:57
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Quick takeaways
The concept of merging into the present moment through meditative practice resonates with the idea of the protagonist becoming unstuck in time in Kurt Vonnegut's novel Slaughterhouse Five.
The hum represents a state of trance and oneness in various cultures, inviting individuals to connect with the primal sound of the universe through meditation and dissolve the ego.
Deep dives
The Yogic Journey of Billy Pilgrim
In this podcast episode, the mythic lens with which Kurt Vonnegut's novel 'Slaughterhouse 5' is explored is highlighted. The protagonist, Billy Pilgrim, becomes unstuck in time, experiencing past, present, and future simultaneously. This concept resonates with the yogic idea of merging into the present moment through meditative practice. The journey of the individual soul is compared to a pilgrimage, aiming to reach a state of absorption where all times merge. The practice involves focusing on the breath, repetition, and the subtle humming sound. This podcast episode delves into the connection between Vonnegut's work, yogic practices, and the timeless nature of existence.
The Hum: Sound of Oneness and Trance
The key theme explored in this podcast episode is the significance of the hum, which represents a state of trance and oneness in various cultures. Sanskrit mantras, such as 'Om', and symbols like buzzing bees and honeycomb are all connected to this concept. The sound of the hum brings about a sense of absorption into the present moment and leads to a breakthrough in self-awareness. The hum is seen as an invitation to go inward and connect with the primal sound that permeates the universe. Through meditation and focusing on the hum, one can experience the dissolution of the ego and the ultimate state of blissful oneness.
Finding the Wine Dark Sea Within
Drawing from ancient Greek mythology and the blind bard Homer, this podcast episode explores the journey of the individual into the realm of consciousness. Like Odysseus sailing on the wine-dark sea, the individual embarks on an internal odyssey governed by the hum of creation. The wine dark sea is symbolic of the inner realm of meditation, where a subtle violet hue is perceived. By turning inward and honing the ability to focus on this inner vibrancy, one can access the transcendent state. The episode highlights that the greatest mysteries of existence lie within and encourages listeners to embrace the simplicity of inward exploration and the hum of consciousness.
In his classic novel Slaughterhouse Five, about four-dimensional alien beings and a protagonist that has come unstuck in time, Kurt Vonnegut describes death as 'violet light and a hum.' The state of absorptive consciousness has been associated with the color violet, and with the sound of the hum, in many cultures around the world for many thousands of years. In this episode, we look at the relationship of the trance state to this place of the violet hum, exploring Zen koans, Greek myths, and Tantric visions of consciousness to get there. Features interview clips with mythologist Joseph Sansonese, author of The Body of Myth.