Some old texts speak of rituals that “milk” the soma or they describe “flow soma through the filter” to create the nectar of the gods.
Much of this is gestures that symbolize the real process that takes place right in our body.
Samadhi happens, at first usually in meditation, when we go beyond the mind into pure consciousness. We settle into our true nature. This is often brief and foggy for a while. But at some point, we’ll have clear experiences of the process. We may also notice a wave of happiness when we cross in or out of pure consciousness even if consciousness itself is not clear yet. This is us passing through the bliss body or the lively edge of consciousness.
When we touch samadhi, we also trigger the creation of soma in the body. This is the chemistry that refines the physiology to support refined perception and feelings and awareness of divinity. Refinement is cumulative and carried forward through lifetimes. Much as with consciousness, some are born a long way along, some much less so.
The texts also speak of the gods battling over a cup of soma or playing tricks to get a drink and become immortal. Yet we can experience creation residing in a literal ocean of milky soma. We’re immersed in it. Why the struggles?
As it turns out, the divine ocean of soma can be called its “raw” form. Much as we can’t eat uncooked rice, the laws of nature need soma to be refined to use it.
Rather curiously, that’s where we come in. The human body is designed to process raw soma into the refined version the gods can use. Through a point in the center of the head where we connect with the raw soma (divinity), it comes into the brain, filters down to a gland at the back of the throat and drips down where it’s mixed with saliva and swallowed.
We may notice this as a sweet taste in the mouth during a nice meditation. Or after awake, during times of strong flow. But the process can be underway without us realizing it.
The devas can then draw on the soma through the villi of the digestive tract. In essence, this is what texts like the Ninth Mandala of the Rig Veda are describing.
We are the soma plant, the soma manufacturing plant.
When we’re deep in the flow, we may notice spontaneous mudras arise. These are the “10 fingers milking” the process energetically. This isn’t something we can manipulate but arises naturally and spontaneously with development.
It is possible there was also a plant that produced soma in the Treta Yuga (age) when some of these texts arose. But I don’t think such a plant exists today. And even if it did, do we have the physiology to digest it properly?
While the gods benefit greatly from our being able to refine the soma, we also do as well. Soma refines our physiology and gives access to the Divine aspects of being. Because we support the gods, they also support us – considerably enhancing life.
This unfolding doesn’t come from perfect diet or posture or other outward manipulation. It is a deep inner process that comes from the inside out. Sattva and soma arise from transcendence (samadhi), beyond the body and mind. Then they progressively enrich everything inside and out.
When we touch the source of our being, we enrich everything within. We water the root.
Davidya
What a surprise! Wow, I have not seem a discussion on this in a long time. Thank you.
I have gotten a sweet taste in my mouth after meditating, noticeably 3 or 4 years after I began meditating. Then it has blossomed into the connective tissue so to speak between us and the Divine, as you say. Practical and tangible connections and interaction.
Certainly there is an energetic transfer between humans and the Divine, that is crystalized in the Soma, though the interaction that this makes possible between us and the Divine, is the true fulfillment of Soma.
Thanks, Jim
I’d say its more subtle than “energy.” More what is described as flow. But yes, a definite interplay.
Hi David,
I have been talking with a family member about soma and they had a couple questions that you may be able to shine some light on.
“I experience a gentle rising of a sweet taste at the back of my throat, almost like a mist gently rising. This first appeared 30 or 40 years ago on large TM courses but is now present in my programmes and whenever I am quiet, even when I am working. Is this an experience of soma?
Also at what developmental stage in the evolution to CC does the experience of soma start to play a role?”
Thank you 🙂
Hi G
On the first, yes, this is AN experience of soma. Lovely it’s happening in activity. This should demonstrate in natures support, baring karmic dynamics. Greater details of the process and refined perception are other things that can unfold, although refined perception isn’t necessarily visual. Subtle feelings, sounds, etc are also common.
In my experience, soma is less about CC and more about the feminine side of the process. That is, the refinement of perception, the awakening heart, and so forth. With refinement going on, there is more likely to be a GC phase, refined Unity, God Realization, and so forth.
The refinement helps with the clarity of the CC shift and helps lead to a fuller, richer unfolding. But the shifts in consciousness are changes in our sense of being while soma is about refinement of what is between being and the surface.
I discuss this distinction here:
https://davidya.ca/2017/06/20/atman-and-sattva/
and
https://davidya.ca/2014/01/25/stages-of-development-in-consciousness/
A corresponding physical gland has been discovered
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/19/health/saliva-glands-new-organs.html
Hi David,
I intermittently experience a feeling like small crystals shimmering down the back of my throat. I don’t notice it occurring during meditation but rather as I go about the mundane tasks of my day. Could this be soma?
Thanks!
Hi Erin
Lovely. If they’re flowing, it could well be soma. If they’re still (but shimmering), it could be perception of the subtle structure of the area. A little more expressed than geometry is crystalline structures. Some experience everything being made of crystals.
As soma is a refined substance that itself refines perception, it can be one of things we experience a little differently.
Hi David,
Lovely article : )
How do the gods use our refined soma?
I experience Divinity pouring through my head/body while a powdery blue emanation radiates off me in waves as a response and goes upward. And I also see beautiful cloudy white puffs surrounding me and through me and it somehow assists/supports me in a way I’m not yet clear on. It is Source’s presence and is always here. Although I’m not aware of, nor taste, any honey-like nectar moving down my throat or digestive tract -why might that be?
Would you be kind enough to comment on the above observations David, thank you.
Hi Leona
We could say energy beings feed on energy. Heavier energy attracts heavier laws of nature. Higher energy attracts higher beings. Soma is like gourmet energy. It can also give them upgrades.
The blue energy is likely your qualities of nature & presence being amplified.
On a subtle level, the devas are like clouds. Sometimes, they’re different colours that show their qualities.
People experience soma in different ways. Perhaps your visual channels are clearer than your taste. Or your attention is not there. 🙂
Thank you David.
So just to clarify, are the blue powdery emanations a refinement (or result) of the soma I receive, if indeed I do? And if not, how does one know they receive soma other than through taste or a dripping sensation at the back of the throat?
Much appreciated.
Hi Leona
Soma refines the physiology and perception. So, your awareness of the emanations is an effect of soma, and the enhanced emanations also are.
One way many know soma is happening is subtle perceptions taking place.
Another way is transcendence. Once we’ve cleared enough dross and refinement is taking place, we know transcendence also brings soma because we’re crossing that threshold, conscious or not.
It’s like another gland, adding its hormones. Most of the time we don’t notice, especially during sleep. But it does its job, and we notice the effects.
Oh wow, this is helpful, thank you so much!
I suspected that I may be receiving soma, as it has a certain thickness and flow that is discernible. And since entering Parabrahman fairly recently, the refinements have become quite palpable and a deva has shown herself.
I’ve noticed in photographs, that many mountain ranges are thick with soma and emit celestial energy where overlighting devas reside.
Thank you again for being so available to answer my Qs, it’s brought a lot of clarity this end.
You’re welcome. If the refined stages have been unfolding, thats a pretty major sign of it too. And you being aware of it in other ways just means different senses are oriented for it.