Listening to Ramanasramam Tamil Parayana – A calming TAHD (Theater Arts for Holistic Development) Experience

I went to Tiruvannamalai for the first time in March 2023. First, I visited Ramanasramam. Then I went on the Girivalam. I also visited Skandashram and Virupaksha cave on that trip. I completed the full Girivalam on the first day. Then, I went to Skandashram the next day. During the first trip, I could not spend much time to spend at Ramanasramam. I also attended a musical concert in Tiruvannamalai on that trip.

When I went on my second Tiruvannamalai trip, I stayed in a hotel called Ramana Towers. I was within walking distance of Ramanasramam, so I was able to go to the ashram very easily.

Ramanasramam Experience

Many devotees visit Ramanasramam daily. Poojas and veda chanting are done in front of Ramana Shrine. The evening Tamil Parayana is also done here. Devotees also go to the old hall for meditation.

During one of the visits to Ramanasramam, I learned about the Tamil Parayana. I was in the old hall in Ramanasramam and listened to the Tamil Parayana from there. I discovered that the Tamil Parayanas calmed me down. I was surprised that there were no thoughts in my head while I was listening to the Parayana.

Ramanasramam Experience from TAHD Perspective

It has to be understood that every life experience is a TAHD experience as at any given moment in time we are only playing different roles on the stage of this earth.

1. Scene choreography

Myself and my mother and a few devotees in the meditation hall

Chanting space – Main shrine nearby

2. Characters and role definitionsa) my role that day: meditator / devotee
3. b) The others in the scene:

My mother

Other devotees

1. c) People who chanted the Parayanam
2. Audio /script – Tamizh Parayanam
3. Focus of the scene – Rasanubhava – The creation of a devout and calming atmosphere

After the Trip

My mother and I started looking at the video and audio for the Tamil Parayana on the Ramanasramam website. I downloaded some chants on my phone so I can listen to them easily. Sometimes, I listen to the chants on the Ramanasramam Youtube channel.

Daily Routine

Listening to chants is now part of my daily routine. It helps me play different roles including dance student, coder, blogger, and member of my family. It helps me be calm and focused.

• Morning

In the morning, I listen to a chant called Ramana Sadguru. I listen to that chant before I dance. I clap and tap with the chant in the morning because I want to be alert. Sometimes, I listen to the chant at home. Sometimes, I listen to chants while I am waiting for my dance class to begin.

• Afternoon

In the afternoon, I listen to the same Parayana. I listen to the chant again before my coding class or next dance practice.

• Evening

After my walk, I listen to the live Parayana on Youtube. I watch the live parayana for 20 minutes. I explore different chants so I can listen to different chants over time and have more variety.

• Night

At Night, I usually listen to Arunachala Siva or the meditational chanting (Om Namo Bhagavate Sri Ramanaya). At night, I listen to the chant for relaxation. I do not do clapping and tapping.

Listening to Tamil Parayana at Home: Evening

1. Scene choreography

Myself and my mother

Pooja room

2. 2. Characters and role definitions
3. a) my role: meditator / devotee
4. b) The others in the scene:

My mother

3. Audio /script – Tamizh Parayanam
4. Focus of the scene – Rasanubhava – The creation of a devout and calming atmosphere

We light the lamp, turn off fluorescent lamps, and adjust the volume to create such Rasanubava.

We are planning on visiting Tiruvanamalai again in March. I will again go on the Girivalam and visit Ramanasramam. Hopefully, I will be able to listen to the Tamil Parayana when I am in the Ramanasramam meditation hall. I wonder what I will discover on my next trip.

Parent Note

I want to reinforce the key message of this post: Every life experience is a TAHD (Theater Arts for Holistic Development) experience as at any given moment in time we are only playing different roles on the stage of this earth.  We can analyze experiences using theater elements.  We can also see what helps or hinders us in performing our role.  The Tamil Parayana has been an important discovery for Ananth.  It is a calming experience that helps him play all his roles daily.  This experience is becoming an integral part of his daily rhythms.