Benefits of Meditation

God is immanent in this world. He has hidden Himself and is seated in the cavity of the lotus of your heart. You will have to seek Him through concentration and meditation with a pure mind. This is a real play of hide-and-seek. If you do not practise meditation, the supreme splendour and unrivalled glories of Atma will remain hidden from you. The wise cut asunder the knot of egoism by that sharp sword of constant meditation. Then dawns the supreme Knowledge of the Self, and the full inner Illumination, Self-realisation. Meditation is the only real, royal road to attain godhead - the only road which takes the aspirant direct to the destination of divine consciousness. Meditation is the pathway to Divinity. It is a mysterious ladder which reaches from darkness to Light, from ignorance to Knowledge from pain to Bliss, from restlessness to Peace, from mortality to Immortality.

The more you meditate, the more the spiritual strength you will have wherein you are cleansed of impurities. Be silent. You will be very close to the source, the Atman. Know thy Self. Know That. Melt the mind in That. The Divine energy freely flows from the feet of the Lord to the hearts of sadhakas. This is the action of Grace of the Lord upon the soul in meditation. In that inflowing Grace, there forthwith arises that light. You will enjoy the waves of Bliss and Peace. You will develop a new mode of thinking and acting, and a new view of the universe as God in manifestation.

Meditation acts as a powerful tonic. The holy vibrations penetrate all the cells of the body and cure diseases of the body through the powerful soothing waves that arise during the meditation exercise. Just as you require food for the body, so also you require food for the soul in the shape of prayers, japa, kirtan, meditation, etc. If you are not regular in your japa and meditation, the subtle body will become weak, and your power of resisting the evil thoughts, vasanas and samskaras will be less. Meditation develops strong and pure thoughts and increases sattvic qualities. When the mind becomes pure, it attains the state of steadiness and becomes one-pointed.

Meditation gives peculiar spiritual ananda (bliss), peace, contentment, fearlessness, an unruffled state of the mind in worldly difficulties, steadiness, inspiration, intuitive perception, sattvic qualities, and absence of anger, egoism and raga-dwesha (likes and dislikes). Those who practise concentration can do any work with scientific accuracy and great efficiency. It purifies and calms the surging emotions, strengthens the thought current and clarifies the ideas.

The more the mind is fixed on God, the more the strength you will acquire. It opens the inner chambers of love, the realm of Eternity, etc. It is the sole key for opening the chamber of Knowledge. You cannot compare the Ananda (Bliss) from meditation with transitory sensual pleasure.

Cultivate the flowers of peaceful thoughts of love, mercy, kindness, purity, etc. in the vast garden of your antahkarana (inner being); through introspection; water this garden of mind with meditation and sublime thinking.

Swami Sivananda Saraswati

How To Meditate?

Guru Maharaj :

Meditate regularly in the early morning, which is very favourable time for spiritual contemplation. The mind is calm, pure and quite refreshed. The mind is like a blank sheet of paper and comparatively free from worldly samskaras (mental impressions). It could be moulded very easily then. The atmosphere is charged with more sattva (purity) at this particular time.

Have a separate meditation room under lock and key. Do not allow anyone to enter the room. Or convert by means of screens, a corner of a room into a meditation chamber. Spread a fourfold blanket and over this spread a piece of soft white cloth. Face east or north. Keep the head, neck and back in one straight line. Sit on padma/siddha/swastika or any such asana. Burn incense there in the morning and evening.

When you are a neophyte in meditation, start repeating some sublime slokas or stotras (hymns) for 10 minutes. This will elevate the mind. You must have a mental image (concrete or abstract) of God or Brahman before you begin to meditate.

Swamiji Maharaj :

You should not only have a regular timing but you should also have a fixed place and asana (posture). If the place is kept very pleasant by keeping fresh flowers and burning incense, it will put your mind into a meditative mood. There will not be any distraction. The mind becomes indrawn. Sit in your meditation posture; keep the body erect and straight. Sit steadily without any movement. But always be relaxed. You must be totally at ease.
When you sit for meditation, in the beginning you just sit quiet; get into a mood of calmness. Then try to bring about a sort of channelisation of the thought-flow. Any elevating chant may help you. It should be the same for all days. Mantra-japa produces wonderful spiritual vibrations and is a great help to concentration. It lifts the mind up into a state of subtle awareness of the Divine.

The mind runs from one object to another in a continuous succession. As long as the mind exists, thoughts will be there. You cannot suppress it by force. On the contrary, the thoughts will grow even more persistent and stronger. Instead of meditation, you will be diverting your attention towards these thoughts. You must just ignore them, and should gently once again bring your mind back to the focal point. Carry on this process in a non-violent manner. Gradually make (its) area smaller and smaller till the mind is left with only a single vritti (modification or thought), to the exclusion of other vrittis. Ultimately, when you reach the stage of nirvikalpa samadhi even this single vritti will subside..

You should prepare your mind for meditation by filling it with divine bhava - with a feeling or attitude of spiritual affection. Let the thoughts subside, and then gently lift the mind up, out of the self-awareness, out of the consciousness of its union with its immediate surroundings and body. The spiritual concentration is based on the denial of the individualistic personality by affirming: "I am not this body, I do not belong to this perishable world. I am ever-free, ever-present, ever-perfect spiritual entity." Try to tell yourself and feel that there is no universe. Efface the universe from your thought. Now slowly begin to negate your personality. Then what is there? When you feel that there is absolutely nothing, slowly bring in the thought: "The Lord alone IS." Fill the mind with your particular conception of God. These two things - (a) negating the entire world and even your personality, and (b) asserting positively only the presence of the Supreme Being-are powerful helps.

If you are a vedantin, feel that there is only one vast expanse of limitless Existence, unfathomable Peace and infinite Bliss. There is nothing else. Feel strongly the Divine Principle in the innermost centre. Now assert to yourself: "I am ever united with the Being. Om, Om, Om".

Concentration is one percent a question of theory and ninety-nine percent a question of practice, abhyasa. Daily practice alone will help you. Keep up a link of meditation even while a certain portion of the mind goes on doing ordinary work. This method is called Brahma-chintan or Brahma-abhyasa.

The Techniques of Meditation

An Introduction to the techniques of Meditation

Meditation is an experience that cannot be described, just as colors cannot be described to a blind man. All ordinary experience is limited by Time, Space and Causation. Our normal awareness and understanding do not transcend these bounds.

Finite experience, which is measured in terms of past, present and future, cannot be transcendental. Concepts of time are illusory, for they have no permanence. The present, immeasurably small and fleeting, cannot be grasped. Past and future are non-existent in the present. We live in illusion.

The meditative state transcends all such limitations. In it there is neither past nor future, but only the consciousness of "I am" in the eternal NOW. It is only possible when all mental modifications are stilled.

The closest analogous state that we can experience is deep sleep, in which there is neither time, nor space, nor causation. Meditation, however, differs from deep sleep, for it works profound changes in the psyche. By curbing and stilling the oscillations of the mind, meditation brings mental peace.

On the physical level, meditation helps to prolong the body's anabolic process of growth and repair, and to reduce the catabolic or decaying process. Ordinarily the anabolic process predominates until the age of 18. From 18 to 35 there is balance between the two, and after 35 the catabolic process dominates. Meditation can significantly reduce the catabolic decline. This is because of the innate receptivity of the body cells.

Each of our body cells is governed by the instinctive subconscious mind. They have both an individual and a collective conciousness. When the thoughts and desires pour into the body, the cells are activated; the body always obeys the group demand. It has been scientifically proven that positive thoughts bring positive result to cells. As meditation brings about a prolonged positive state of mind, it rejuvenates body cells and retards decay.

One cannot learn to meditate, anymore than one can learn to sleep. one falls into both states. There are certain points to remember regarding the techniques and stages of meditation.

The 14 Points of Meditation

1. Regularity of time, place and practice are important. Regularity conditions the mind to slow down its activities with a minimum of delay.

2. The most effective times are early dawn and dusk, when the atmosphere is charged with special spiritual force. If it is not feasible to sit for meditation at these times, choose an hour when you are not involved with daily activities, and a time when the mind is apt to be calm.

3. Try to have a separate room for meditation. As meditation is repeated, the powerful vibrations set up will be lodged in the area; an atmosphere of peace and purity will be felt.

4. When sitting, face North or East in order to take advantage of favorable magnetic vibrations. Sit in a steady, comfortable, cross-legged position with spine and neck erect but not tense.

5. Before beginning, command the mind to be quiet for a specific length of time. Forget the past, present and future.

6. Consciously regulate the breath. Begin with five minutes of deep abdominal breathing to bring oxygen to the brain. Then slow it down to an imperceptible rate.

7. Keep the breathing, rhythmic, inhale for three seconds and exhale for three seconds. Regulation of breath also regulates the flow of prana, the vital energy.

8. Allow the mind to wander at first. It will jump around, but will eventually become concentrated, along with the concentration of prana.

9. Don't force the mind to be still, as this will set in motion additional brain waves, hindering meditation.

10. Select a focal point on which the mind may rest. For people who are intellectual by nature, this may be the Ajna Chakra., the point between the eyebrows. For more emotional people, use the Anahata or Heart Chakra. Never change this focal point.

11. Focus on a neutral or uplifting object, holding the image in the place of concentration. If using a Mantra, repeat it mentally, and co-ordinate repetition with the breath. If you dont have a personalized Manta, use Om. Although mental repetition is stronger, the mantra may be repeted aloud if one becomes drowsy. Never change the Mantra.

12. Repetition will lead to pure thought, in which sound vibration merges with thought vibration, without awareness of meaning. Vocal repetition progresses through mental repetition to telepathic language, and from there to pure thought.

13. With practice, duality disappears and Samadhi, or the superconscious state, is reached. Do not become impatient, as this takes a long time.

14. In Samadhi one rests in the state of bliss in which the Knower, the Knowledge, and the Known become one. This is the superconcious state reached by mystics of all faiths and persuasions.

If you meditate for half an hour daily, you will be able to face life with peace and spiritual strength. Meditation is the most powerful mental and nerve tonic. Divine energy freely flows to the adept during meditation, and exerts a benign influence on the mind, nerves, sense organs and body. It opens the door to intuitive knowledge and realms of eternal bliss. The mind becomes calm and steady.

Swami Sivananda Saraswati

DISCIPLINE OF THE SENSES

Control the indriyas (senses), through introspection. Destroy the thirst for objects and senseenjoyments then you will be established in supreme peace. Speak the truth and talk little. Observe silence for two hours daily. Speak only sweet, loving, soft words. Do not go to cinemas; do not look at ladies with a lustful look. When you move in the street look at the tip of the nose;do not look hither and thither. This is discipline of the eye, the organ of sight.

Do not attend dancing parties and do not listen to vulgar music. Give up musical entertainments and listening to worldly conversation. This is the discipline of the ear, the organ of hearing. Do not use scents. This is the discipline of the nose, the organ of smell. Give up salt and sugar for a week. Live on simple food. Fast on ekadasi (eleventh day of the lunar fortnight) or live on milk. This is the discipline of the tongue, the organ of taste.

Observe brahmacarya. Sleep on a hard mat. Walk barefooted. Do not use umbrellas. This is the discipline of the skin, the organ of touch.

To check the wandering mind and to develop concentration, fix your mind on your ista devata (ideal). Bring the mind back again when it wanders and fix it on the image.

You may think or falsely conjecture that the senses are under your control. You may be duped. All of a sudden you will become their victim. You must have supreme control of all the senses. The senses may become turbulent at any time. Reaction may set in. Beware!


Master the senses, the mind and the intellect, ruthlessly. Do this through enquiry, discrimination, dispassion, devotion and meditation. Anger is born of rajas (restlessness). When desire is not gratified then anger manifests itself. Anger is a form of desire only. Slay this anger through vicara (enquiry), discrimination, patience, love, meditation, and identification with the ever serene Atman.

Swami Sivananda Saraswati

Thought For The Day

Even after years and decades of sadhana, we still continueto remain what we were, because, together with our outer sadhana,inner transformation has never been attempted,inner transformation has never been seriously pursued and effected.

Swami Chidananda Saraswati.

DISCIPLINE OF THE SENSES

Control the indriyas (senses), through introspection. Destroy the thirst for objects and sense-enjoyments then you will be established in supreme peace. Speak the truth and talk little. Observe silence for two hours daily. Speak only sweet, loving, soft words. Do not go to cinemas; do not look at ladies with a lustful look. When you move in the street look at the tip of the nose; do not look hither and thither. This is discipline of the eye, the organ of sight.

Do not attend dancing parties and do not listen to vulgar music. Give up musical entertainments and listening to worldly conversation. This is the discipline of the ear, the organ of hearing. Do not use scents. This is the discipline of the nose, the organ of smell. Give up salt and sugar for a week. Live on simple food. Fast on ekadasi (eleventh day of the lunar fortnight) or live on milk. This is the discipline of the tongue, the organ of taste.

Observe brahmacarya. Sleep on a hard mat. Walk barefooted. Do not use umbrellas. This is the discipline of the skin, the organ of touch.

To check the wandering mind and to develop concentration, fix your mind on your ista devata (ideal). Bring the mind back again when it wanders and fix it on the image.

You may think or falsely conjecture that the senses are under your control. You may be duped. All of a sudden you will become their victim. You must have supreme control of all the senses. The senses may become turbulent at any time. Reaction may set in. Beware!


Master the senses, the mind and the intellect, ruthlessly. Do this through enquiry, discrimination, dispassion, devotion and meditation. Anger is born of rajas (restlessness). When desire is not gratified then anger manifests itself. Anger is a form of desire only. Slay this anger through vicara (enquiry), discrimination, patience, love, meditation, and identification with the ever serene Atman.

Understand Your Life

Blessed Atman! May God give you the gift of understanding your life and thus living it with understanding!

We never stop to ponder life. We never pause in our ceaseless outward-oriented activities which we think is life. We do not pause for a while to take time to step out of life's stream, to stand on the banks and observe life from that point.

The banks do not move; the banks do not change. Constantly the river moves; constantly the waters change. Even for a single second, you are not standing before the same river. The river was before you one second ago is not here now. What is before you is some other river; the other river has gone.

Even so with life. You are also ever-changing. If you step out, stand on the bank and observe life, you may get a better understanding about it and its flow. You must stop for a while and ponder life. You must pause a little from ceaselessly being rushed. It takes time.

On the last day of July 1963, we offered a grand worship to Gurudev upon his shodasi (16th day) punyatithi, as an aradhana (adoration) offered. From the 1st of August 1963 our life was different than it was before the 14th of July, 1963 (the day Gurudev attained Mahasamadhi). How did we face that new life? What was our state of mind at that time? What thoughts, what ideas filled our minds? How did we view the future?

Year after year we re-enact that same drama by offering a grand worship in the Samadhi. We recreate that same day. We also relive that experience and move towards the future in a changed way, just as we did on the 1st of August, 1963. For there was a great difference. We realized that we would have to stand on our own legs. We realized that we had to be self-reliant, that we were the architects of our own fate; we were the moulders of our own future. We had to get busy doing the work and carving out a glorious future in the light of Gurudev''s teachings and example to us-building our future in a spiritual way because it was not a future in time, it was a future in terms of our spiritual evolution.

Ever year that day is observed, that drama is re-enacted. We try to relive that momentous moment. But then, after the event passes, does it leave us cold, as we were before, or does it leave us with something else within us? That is the thing to be considered. If, upon considering it, we find that there is no fresh awakening, that no new aspiration comes into us, then it has become only a mechanical routine which we observe year after year-having all the outer frills but empty of content inside. It has just become automatic, repetitive; it takes us no further, no higher. The very purpose of the day has been lost. The very intention with which our ancients conceived of such recurring annual traditions would not be fulfilled; it would be lost.

Yesterday was such a day. May you understand it. May you understand the intention behind such a tradition. May you understand the purpose of such an annual observance. May you understand the significance to you and your life. May you understand life. That is the one thing needful to live life fruitfully-the understanding of it and the living of it with the understanding way. May Sat Guru Bhagavan bless you with such a deep understanding of your life and yourself in it.

God bless you!

Swami Chidananda Saraswati

Meditation

Meditation is like a gateway leading from normal day-to-day awareness to a higher state of consciousness. Swami Sivananda believed that devoted and deep meditation was the surest way to the deepest experience of one's essential being. Apparently in his early days of spiritual practice he was meditating eight, ten or maybe even twelve hours a day.

Meditation begins with interest-being very interested in going beyond the mind, and interest in wanting to know what is ultimately true. Or, the practice could start with a more humble interest: "Let me feel a bit of peace." According to Gurudev whatever the starting point, meditation needs to be carried on regularly and as often each day as is possible. No one ever said meditation would be easy! Arjuna said to Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita that, "I find the mind to be as hard to control as the wind." Sri Krishna assured Arjuna by saying, "The mind can be controlled through dispassion and repeated practice." Swami Sivananda was a fountain of encouragement and inspiration. "Never despair," he would say. He knew that meditation would provide great rewards for the devotee who persevered.

Meditation is one spiritual practice, which has a very widespread appeal. On one hand the modern man takes up to meditation for protecting himself from the ill effects of his life style of hurry, worry and curry (fast food and spices). On the other hand, 'meditation is a universal common process which unites the entire world fraternity of spiritual seekers' (Swami Chidananda); and so, all the seekers practise it. Meditation is spiritual practice (sadhana) common in various paths of Yoga, common in major religions and faiths. So there are different types of meditation to suit an individual sadhaka's temperament and sadhana.

"Just as you require food for the body, so also you require food for the soul in the shape of prayers, japa, kirtan, meditation, etc. The food for the soul is more essential than the food for the body." (Swami Sivananda). Meditation, as such, has become a part of daily routine of all those who have some concern for their soul, who are conscious of their long-term welfare - their spiritual ascent.

Maharshi Patanjali propounded the eight-stage Raja Yoga in his well-known sutras of Yoga Darshana. The sixth rung of Raja Yoga is dharana (concentration), and is followed by dhyana (meditation) and samadhi. Though a very large number of people are eager to know about meditation and understand it properly, very few of them might have studied this extremely difficult text. We have tried to explain in a lucid manner various aspects of meditation, namely:

1) Meaning of the concepts of concentration and meditation,

2) Where to concentrate?

3) Pre-requisites of Meditation,

4) How to Meditate?

5) Practical Hints,

6) Obstacles to Meditation,

7) Benefits of Meditation,

8) Experiences in Meditation, and

9) Indicators of Progress in Meditation.

Swami Sivananda Saraswati

Sivananda Daily Readings Sunday, Nov19, 06

DAMA - SENSE CONTROL

Dama is self-restraint. It is control of the senses. It is a vedantic sadhana (practice). It comes after the practice of sama (restraint of mind). It is one of the sad sampat (six-fold wealth). It does not allow the senses to run outwards. It gives strength, peace and concentration. It develops will-power. It helps you to disconnect or shut off the mind from the senses, and the senses from the objects. It corresponds to pratyahara (sense-withdrawal) of raja yoga. An objector says, "Why should there be practice of dama when the mind is controlled by sama?" It is a double attack on the mind. The mind operates in conjunction with the senses; the mind will be subdued easily and effectively if you practise dama also. It weakens or thins out the mind.

There is also a deliberate order here. Without viveka (wisdom), vairagya (dispassion) is not powerful. It is viveka that weans the mind from sensual objects and directs it towards the absolute. So viveka comes first. If there is dawn of viveka, vairagya, serenity (sama) will come by itself. It is easy to control the mind if the senses are also controlled. So dama comes after sama. If you practise dama, uparati (satiety) follows; you are disgusted with sensual objects. Serenity and restraint of the indriyas are increased if you have titiksa or power of endurance. When you possess the above qualifications naturally you will have faith (sraddha) and a balanced inner life (samadana). If you are endowed with viveka, vairagya and six wealths, a burning yearning for liberation (mumuksutva) will automatically follow.

Sensual pleasure is the womb of pain. The cause for pain is the pursuit of pleasure. Sensual pleasure is imaginary, illusory, fleeting and tantalising. Abandon pleasure and rejoice in the eternal bliss of the atman. He who has destroyed desire is really a harmonised, peaceful and happy man.

Swami Sivananda Saraswati Maharaj

Thought For The Day

To be involved is good, necessary. We must be involved. To be entangled is not good; it is not desirable.

Swami Chidananda Saraswati Maharaj

Swami Chidananda Saraswati

The Divine Life Society was founded by Swami Sivananda In January 1936. Its cultural and spiritual message has been spread far and wide by the selfless efforts of Swami Chidananda, a more than worthy disciple of Swami Sivananda.

Swami Chidananda or young Sridhara was born in Mangalore in South Karnataka. His parents were cultured, educated, pious, well-known and well-respected.

His mother Sarojini Devi was a curious blend of Oriental tradition and Occidental living. She was a good piano player, could sing English hymns and was excellent at tennis.

His father Srinivasa Pao was a prosperous Zamindar (land-owner) and had inherited several villages in the Coimbatore district of South India and sprawling houses in the seaside city of Madras.

What Is more important Is that both young Sridhara’s mother and father were religiously inclined, and both had a lasting impact on the future Swami Chidananda.
Young Sridhara was born on 24th September, 1916 at 10.35 a.m. The astrologer who prepared the horoscope of the child recorded that the child was an enlightened soul. Another famous astrologer confirmed it and declared that he had been a great saint In his previous life and that this was his last birth.

Young Sridhara's thread ceremony was performed at holy Tirupati. As he was returning he beseeched his elders to buy him a beautiful wooden idol of Sri Rama to which he felt tremendously drawn.

A miraculous thing would happen at the time young Sridhara would worship his beloved idol of Sri Rama.

The idol seemed to shine with an extraordinary effulgent halo and a celestial smile used to wreathe the divine countenance.

Sridhara was only a young ten-year old when death snatched away his beloved mother. While he lamented her loss, he realised all worldly life is unreal and that saints only show the right path from attachment and misery. Later, the Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna had a lasting, permanent effect on him. He visualised the form of the Divine Mother in every woman.
He often visited and engaged himself in selfless service in the Sri Ramakrishna math at Mylapore in Madras. He took care of lepers, diseased creatures and stray dogs. He endeavored to behold the same atman in all.

Even though he was brought up in the midst of plenty, he calmly took to a life of austerities. Now he was thirsting for a Guru who would lead him to a world of pure spirituality. He longed to set out in quest of the ideal life at a Master’s feet.

His maternal grandmother however made him promise that he would not renounce family ties as long as she lived.

Young Sridhara had consideration for his relatives and did not possess the selfish kind of. spirituality which makes people callous to other’s needs and expectations.

Even though he served he never permitted himself to become attached. He was in the world but not of the world. Bapuji Mahatma Gandhiji’s life taught him the secret of “anaasakti" in the world.

When he finally decided to renounce home, he explained to his younger sisters and aunt that God would take care of them like no brother or nephew could, but he asked them to make the decision. The sisters and aunt were powerless before such an earnest appeal and so allowed him to leave home.

On 6th March, 1943 young Sridhara stepped out of the house for the good of the world. He worked at a construction site to put himself into a test and erase his ego just as his master Swami Sivananda had done before he renounced the worldly ties.

On the 19th of May. 1943 (Buddha Purnima), he reached Rishikesh. That evening under a full moon, he prostrated at the feet of his Master. He had arrived

Home at last. That full moon witnessed the Birth of Swami Chidananda.
I myself have had the good fortune of receiving Swami Chidananda’s blessings upon various occasions.

What I learnt from Swamiji is the importance of action in lieu of words. Once as Swamiji traveled with his disciples, he was to stay at a place which left a lot to be desired. While his disciples complained, he entered the room.

He emerged from it after a while and when the disciples re-entered the room they found it quite spic and span; everything was neat and tidy. This is Swamiji's nature. What he is able to do, he will do it himself.

Swamiji by his action had taught his disciples a very Important lesson. Do not waste time complaining. Act!!”

I find in Swami Chidananda a divine combination of gentleness, strength and humility.

His gestures express care and love: even when he folds a letter, he seems to fold it just enough. It is like he does not want to hurt it, just crease it.

To educate the untouchable, to love the lepers, to banish illiteracy are some of Swamiji’s wishes. Despite his busy schedule, he finds time for everyone. He says 'Nothing is my own, not even my time, It all belongs to God' — and since he sees God in everyone, his time belongs to everyone, even at the cost of his physical needs.

I once asked him to bless me that I should live by what I believed. To be true to myself.
He told me that the easiest way to do that Is that I should remember that I am only an instrument through which God does His work.

I was reminded of Sri Krishna’s flute. It Is hollow (ego­less), and that is how He can play such enchanting music through it.

On January 1988, I took my manuscript of Symbolisms in the Ramayana to Lonavala where the Divine Life Society was holding a spiritual sadhana camp.

Swami Chidananda was sitting under the larger than life picture of Swami Sivananda.

I remembered the long-ago Swami Sivananda’s words to me, to serve Sri Rama even though my Ishta (personal deity) was Sri Krishna.

Swami Chidananda called me and blessed the manuscript and said, continue the Bhakti of Sri Krishna and spread Ram’s word through the Ramayana.

I felt Swami Sivananda blessing me through the words of Swami Chidananda and I felt fulfilled.

A disciple once had a vision of Swami Sivananda and Swami Chidananda merging into one.

A disciple later said: “you worship Lord Krishna and write on Sri Rama — It is like you have been given the Maha Mantra Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare, Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare.” I felt blessed.

In Swami Sivananda’s own words:

Chidananda is Jeevan Mukta (a liberated soul) a great saint, and ideal yogi, a Para Bhakta (devotee) and a sage.” Swami Chidananda is all this and much more. ...

He was born to fulfill a great mission.

He is the torch-bearer of my mission.

Swami Sivananda Saraswati

Born in 1887 in Pattamadai, Tamil Nadu, South India, Swami Sivananda whose name was then Kuppuswami, was a brilliant boy at studying as well as gymnastics and naturally inclined toward spiritual and religious practices. His natural selfless spirit lead him to a career in the medical field. The young Dr. Kuppuswami felt a strong urge to go to Malaysia where in a short time he was given the responsibility of running a hospital. During these years Dr. Kuppuswami was renowned as being both an excellent doctor and a true humanitarian.

One day Dr. Kuppuswami had the opportunity to cure a wandering Sannyasin (renunciate or Monk) who then gave the doctor instruction on Yoga and Vedanta. From that day on his life changed, and gradually Dr. Kuppuswami became more introspective and could not stop pondering the great questions of life.

Filled with a tremendous desire for spiritual growth and enlightenment Kuppuswami went to North India in search of his Guru. After spending time in Varanasi (Banaras) he traveled north to the Himalayas. There in the holy town of Rishikesh (which means "the abode of the sages") Kuppuswami discovered his Guru who gave him Sannyas (a monk's vows of renunciation). After taking these vows, Swami Sivananda Saraswati, as he would be known henceforth, started an extremely intense daily Sadhana (spiritual practices) and Tapas (austerities) for the next 10 years or so.

From that time Swami Sivananda became one of the most prolific Yoga teachers who has ever existed. Although he rarely left the little town of Rishikesh (with only 2 India tours and no visits abroad) Swami Sivananda's teachings spread quickly throughout our entire planet. He wrote more than 200 books on topics connected to Yoga and Philosophy. As a result many who read his books felt their lives deeply touched and transformed and so came from all of India, all of the world, to learn from him directly, and to bask in his holy presence.

The teachings of Master Sivananda are summarized in these 6 words: "Serve, Love, Give, Purify, Meditate, Realize"

Sivananda Daily Readings Thursday, Nov16, 2006

RISE ABOVE THE TWO MOODS

In vedanta there are only two kinds of moods - joy, exultation or exhilaration and grief or depression. Now there is joy and five minutes later there is depression - the currents alternate. They belong to the sad Urmis (six waves, i.e. grief, delusion, hunger, thirst, decay and death). People of gloomy moods attract gloomy thoughts from others and from the akasic (etheric) records in the psychic ether. Persons with hope, cheerfulness and confidence attract similar thoughts from others - they are always successful in their attempts. People with negative moods of depression, anger and hatred do positive harm to others - and great damage in the thought world.

Try to eradicate depression through prayer, meditation, counter-thoughts of joy, chanting Om, self-enquiry and singing divine songs. There are various causes for depression - cloudy day, associating with evil persons, indigestion, influence of astral spirits and revival of old impressions of depression. When you get into a talking mood - practise mouna (silence) at once. When you are in a mood of hatred, develop the opposite virtue, love, and the mood will pass quickly. When you feel selfishness arise, do selfless work. When you are in the mood of separateness, mix with others - through service, love, kindness and forgiveness. If you feel lazy, do some active work.

A liberated being is free from all moods - he has become their master. In atman (self) there are no moods, there is only pure consciousness. Identify with Atman and you will easily destroy all moods. However, there is one good mood - the meditative mood. When this manifests, immediately give up reading, writing, talking etc., and begin to meditate. Watch for this kind of mood - when meditation comes by itself, without effort.

Laugh and smile. How can a mind that is dull and gloomy think of God? Try to be happy always. Happiness is your very nature. The spirit of cheerfulness must be cultivated by all aspirants.
With the growth of the mind, the pains will increase. But with its extinction there will be great bliss. Having mastery over the mind, free yourself from the world of perceptions in order that you may be of the nature of jnana or wisdom. Though surrounded by pleasurable or painful objects which disturb the equilibrium of your mind, remain rock-like, and receive all things with equanimity.

Swami Sivananda

Thought For The Day

Life is made up of today - not of dead yesterdays nor of unborn tomorrows. But your life to each one of you is not even today, it is this moment and this moment only.

Swami Chidananda

DIVINE LIFE

The way of Divine Life, which leads to the progress of inner spiritual unfoldment, is the way of selflessness and service, devotion and worship, withdrawal of the mind from externals, concentration and meditation. It is the way of ceaseless inquiry—“Who am I?” and “What am I?” It is the way of affirming: “I am not this body, I am not this mind, I am not this intellect, I am that innermost Being, the supreme Self, the Atman, nameless, formless, unborn, undecaying, deathless, imperishable, eternal One, I am That, That I am,—Sat-Chit-Ananda am I.”

So, based upon a life of truth, purity and goodness, simplicity and humility, good conduct and character, self-restraint and freedom from desires, the life spiritual is having God as the sole goal in the midst of all activities and duties dutifully done. Ever keeping in mind the great goal, remembering God constantly with love and faith, seeing His presence in all things and doing all things in a spirit of worship, progress through selflessness and service, devotion and worship, concentration and meditation and ceaseless Atmic enquiry attain the supreme blessed state of God-consciousness of Divine experience and Self-realisation.

That state will bestow upon you the experience, the consciousness: “I am the Supreme, I am the Sat-Chit-Ananda Atman. I am Existence-Consciousness-Bliss-Absolute, I have no old age, I have no death, I have no restlessness or motion, I have no fears, I have no sorrows, I am the Immortal One, I am Bliss, I am Peace.” That experience, which triumphs over all things, is the supreme, ultimate, victorious experience, attaining which one is filled with joy. “Anandoham, Anandoham, Brahma-Anandoham—I am bliss, I am bliss, I am Supreme bliss,”—one exclaims. Attaining this, one is victorious over all circumstances, all situations, all dualities and triumphs over everything.

Awake! Come! Arise! and move towards this great experience. Do all that is necessary to unfold the flower that is within. Let the bud that is closed blossom to make the seed spin up into life and rise up into the tree of Divine experience. You must work for it.
This realisation is already within you. It is there. It is like a locked box in which there is a priceless diamond of unparalleled beauty and the key is not to be found. You have to open the box to possess the diamond. Even so, this eternal Perfection is dormant within you. You are That already. Even as I talk and you listen, you are Existence-Knowledge-Bliss-Absolute. You are the ever perfect Atman. You are Sat-Chit-Ananda Consciousness. That is your true consciousness. This is Divine Life.

Swami Chidananda

The Glory of Mantra-Diksha

1. Man cannot live by bread alone; but he can live repeating the Name of the Lord alone.

2. A Yogi crosses the ocean of Samsara by his Chitta-vritti-nirodha, controlling the modifications that arise in the mind; a Jnani by his Brahmakara-Vritti (by raising the pure thought of Infinity); and a Bhakta by doing Nama-Smarana. There is no end of Lord’s powers.

3. The Name of the Lord has a very great power. It brings you face to face with the Supreme Being and makes you realise your oneness with the Infinite and the whole world at large. It bestows immortality. Feel the wonderful and infinite power the Name of the Lord possesses and chant His Name constantly. Time is fleeting. The best way to utilise it is to remember Him, to chant His Name, sing His glories and meditate on Him.

4. The Name of Rama turns impossible into possible. It was by the glory of Rama-Nama that the stones floated in water, and the bridge, the Setu over the sea, was built by Sugriva and his companions at Rameshvaram. It was Rama-Nama that cooled Prahlada, when he was thrown into a conflagration of fire.

5. Any Name of the Lord is nectar. It is sweeter than sugar-candy. It is the essence of the Vedas. Amrita came out, in days of yore, during the process of the churning of the ocean by the Devas and the Asuras. Even so by churning the four Vedas, the Name of Rama, the nectar, was brought out to quench the three kinds of Taapa (affliction) of the ignorant Jivas. Drink it again and again by constant repetition, just as Valmiki did in days long gone by.

6. The world without Hari-Sankirtana is only a burial ground.

7. Japa is a very great purifier. It checks the force of the thought-current moving towards objects and forces the mind to move towards God.

8. Japa eventually helps in obtaining Darshan of God. The Mantra-Chaitanya is hidden in every Mantra.

9. Japa reinforces the Sadhana-Sakti of the Sadhaka. It makes him morally and spiritually strong.

10. The vibration produced by the chanting of a Mantra corresponds to the original vibration that arose from Hiranyagarbha.

11. The rhythmical vibration produced through Japa regulates the unsteady vibrations of the five sheaths.

12. Japa changes the mind-stuff from worldliness to spirituality, from Rajas and activity to Sattva and illumination.

13. The Name of the Lord is an inexhaustible storehouse of spiritual knowledge.

14. Even mechanical repetition of a Mantra plays a great part in the evolution of the soul. Even a simple parrot-like repetition of a Mantra, too, is beneficial. It has got its own effect.

Swami Chidananda

What is JAPA ?

Japa purifies the heart.

Japa steadies the mind.

Japa destroys the Shadripus (lust, anger, greed, deliberate attachment, pride and jealousy).

Japa destroys birth and death.

Japa burns sins.

Japa scorches Samskaras.

Japa annihilates attachment.

Japa induces Vairagya.

Japa roots out all desires.

Japa makes one fearless.

Japa removes delusion.

Japa gives supreme peace.

Japa develops Prema.

Japa unites the devotee with the Lord.

Japa gives health, wealth, strength and long life.

Japa brings God-consciousness.

Japa bestows eternal Bliss.

Japa awakens the Kundalini.

Japa introduces one to spirituality.

Japa marvellously cleanses the impurities of the physical sheath.

Swami Sivananda

Need For A Guru

A Guru is necessary. The spiritual path is beset with many obstacles. The Guru will guide the aspirants safely and remove all sorts of obstacles and difficulties.

Guru, Isvara, Brahman, Truth and Om are one. Serve the Guru with intense devotion. Please him in all possible ways. Have the mind fixed on Guru as the Atman. Obey him implicitly. His words must be gospel truths for you. Then only you will improve. You will get his Grace. There is no other way.

You will have to deify your Guru. You must superimpose all the attributes of Isvara and Brahman on him. You must take him as an actual God incarnate. You should never look into his defects. You should see only the Divinity in him. Then only you will realise Brahman in and through the Guru.

The physical form of the Guru will slowly vanish. You will realise the all-pervading Atman in and through him. You will see your Guru in all forms, animate and inanimate.

There is no other way for overhauling the vicious worldly Samskaras and the passionate nature of raw, worldly-minded persons than the personal contact with and service of the Guru. An aspirant who, with great devotion, attends on his Guru in his personal services, quickly purifies his heart. This is the surest and the easiest way for self-purification.

Swami Sivananda

Rules For Japa

1. Select any Mantra or Name of God (preferably that given by your Guru) and repeat it from one Mala to two hundred Malas daily.

2. Use a Rudraksha or Tulasi Mala of 108 beads.

3. Use only the middle finger and thumb of the right hand for rolling the beads.

4. Do not allow the Mala to hang below the navel. Keep the hand near the heart or the nose.

5. The Mala must not be visible to you or others. Cover it with a towel which must be pure and washed daily.

6. Do not cross the Meru of the Mala while rolling the beads. Turn back when you come up to it.

7. Do mental Japa as long as possible. If the mind wanders take to labial Japa for some time, or loud Japa, by rotation, and come back to mental Japa again as soon as possible.

8. Take a bath, or wash your hands, feet, face and mouth before sitting for Japa in the morning. At other times this is not absolutely necessary. Do Japa whenever you have leisure, specially during the Sandhyas or the junctions of the day (morning, noon and evening) and before going to bed.

9. Associate the Japa with rhythmic breathing or Pranayama and meditate on the form of your deity. Keep a picture or idol of the Deity in front.

10. Think of the meaning of the Mantra while repeating it.

11. Pronounce each letter of the Mantra correctly and distinctly.

12. Do not repeat the Mantra either too fast or too slow. Increase the speed only when the mind wanders.

13. Observe Mouna and avoid distractions, calls or engagements at the time of doing Japa.

14. Face the East or the North and sit in a separate meditation room or any good place, such as temple, river-bank, under a banyan tree or a peepal tree, etc.

15. Do not beg of God any worldly objects.

16. While doing Japa, feel that your heart is being purified and the mind is becoming steady by the power of the Mantra with the grace of God.

17. Keep your Guru-Mantra a secret. Never disclose it to anyone.

18. Practise to sit in one steady pose during the Japa.

19. Keep a regular account of your Japa and try to increase the number gradually.

20. Carry on the current of Japa mentally even at other times, whatever work you may be engaged in.

Swami Chidananda

The Glory of Mantra-Diksha

1. Man cannot live by bread alone; but he can live repeating the Name of the Lord alone.

2. A Yogi crosses the ocean of Samsara by his Chitta-vritti-nirodha, controlling the modifications that arise in the mind; a Jnani by his Brahmakara-Vritti (by raising the pure thought of Infinity); and a Bhakta by doing Nama-Smarana. There is no end of Lord’s powers.

3. The Name of the Lord has a very great power. It brings you face to face with the Supreme Being and makes you realise your oneness with the Infinite and the whole world at large. It bestows immortality. Feel the wonderful and infinite power the Name of the Lord possesses and chant His Name constantly. Time is fleeting. The best way to utilise it is to remember Him, to chant His Name, sing His glories and meditate on Him.

4. The Name of Rama turns impossible into possible. It was by the glory of Rama-Nama that the stones floated in water, and the bridge, the Setu over the sea, was built by Sugriva and his companions at Rameshvaram. It was Rama-Nama that cooled Prahlada, when he was thrown into a conflagration of fire.

5. Any Name of the Lord is nectar. It is sweeter than sugar-candy. It is the essence of the Vedas. Amrita came out, in days of yore, during the process of the churning of the ocean by the Devas and the Asuras. Even so by churning the four Vedas, the Name of Rama, the nectar, was brought out to quench the three kinds of Taapa (affliction) of the ignorant Jivas. Drink it again and again by constant repetition, just as Valmiki did in days long gone by.

6. The world without Hari-Sankirtana is only a burial ground.

7. Japa is a very great purifier. It checks the force of the thought-current moving towards objects and forces the mind to move towards God.

8. Japa eventually helps in obtaining Darshan of God. The Mantra-Chaitanya is hidden in every Mantra.

9. Japa reinforces the Sadhana-Sakti of the Sadhaka. It makes him morally and spiritually strong.

10. The vibration produced by the chanting of a Mantra corresponds to the original vibration that arose from Hiranyagarbha.

11. The rhythmical vibration produced through Japa regulates the unsteady vibrations of the five sheaths.

12. Japa changes the mind-stuff from worldliness to spirituality, from Rajas and activity to Sattva and illumination.

13. The Name of the Lord is an inexhaustible storehouse of spiritual knowledge.

14. Even mechanical repetition of a Mantra plays a great part in the evolution of the soul. Even a simple parrot-like repetition of a Mantra, too, is beneficial. It has got its own effect.

Swami Chidananda

Sivananda Daily Readings Tuesday, Nov'14th

UPHILL TASK

True freedom results from the disenthralment of the mind. He is a real potentate and ruler who has conquered the mind. He who has conquered desires, passions and the mind is the richest man. If the mind is under control, it matters little whether you stay in a palace, or a cave in the Himalayas; whether you engage yourself in worldly activity or sit in silence. The mind can be controlled by untiring perseverance and great patience, equal to that of one engaged in emptying the ocean, drop by drop, with the tip of a blade of grass. To tame a lion or a tiger is far more easy than taming one's own mind. Tame your own mind first. Then you can tame the minds of others quite easily.

Constantly think of God. You can very easily control the mind. Constant thinking of God thins out the mind. The mind can very easily think of worldly objects. It is its nature. The mental force can easily flow in the old grooves and avenues of mundane thoughts. It finds it extremely hard to think of God and dwell on lofty thoughts..

The difficulty in weaning the mind from objects and fixing it on God is the same as in making the river Ganges flow uphill towards its source instead of its natural flow towards the ocean. Still, through strenuous efforts and renunciation, the mind must be trained to flow towards God, much against its will, if you want to free yourself from birth and death. There is no other way if you want to escape from worldly miseries and tribulations.

Introspect and always have an inner life. Let a portion of the mind and the hands do their work mechanically. A girl acrobat, while exhibiting her performances, has her attention riveted on the water-pot she bears on her head, although, all the time, she is dancing to various tunes. So does the truly pious man attend to all his business concerns, but has his mind's eye fixed upon the blissful feet of the Lord. This is balance and will lead to integral development...

Swami Sivananda

Thought For The Day

Today is a gift of God. It is specially proffered to you. Take it with both hands with a devout bhav. Apply every bit of yours energy in making it a perfect day.

Swami Chidananda.

HINDU SCRIPTURES

Sanskrit Literature

Sanskrit literature can be classified under six orthodox heads and four secular heads. The six orthodox sections form the authoritative scriptures of the Hindus. The four secular sections embody the later developments in classical Sanskrit literature.

The six scriptures are…

Srutis

Smritis

Itihasas

Puranas

Agamas

Darsanas.

The four secular writings are…

Subhashitas

Kavyas

Natakas

Alankaras.

by Swami Sivananda

THE FIRST PART OF YOGA-PRACTICE

Purification of mind is the first part of Yoga-practice In everyone there are still various impurities of the mind. There are subtle evils lurking in the crannies of one's mind. Unless the barriers of subtle jealousy, subtle hatred, and evil desires are surmounted, one cannot attain the fullness of Knowledge, Enlightenment and Glory.

God-consciousness or communion with the Lord is the acme of ethico-religious discipline of Yoga. Ethical development is more difficult than the attainment of intellectual eminence. The truths of Life, the Knowledge of God can only be grasped and attained by that Yoga student who possesses a pure and untainted heart. Conquer your internal and external nature. Fight against the dark antagonistic evil forces through remembrance of God and meditation.

Abandon all sorts of wrong beliefs, weaknesses, superstitions, wrong notions and ideas of impossibilities. Have a wide outlook on life. See God in everything, in every face. Give up all that is false and untrue. Lead a life of virtue and happiness. Stick tenaciously to your principles and ideals.

Live a simple, vigorous and active life. Melt all illusory differences. Destroy sex-obsession by constantly thinking of the Truth that is sexless and bodiless Reality. Cheer up your spirit. Have perfect trust in God. Be sincere. Serve all with love. Exert. Apply yourself diligently and ignite the spiritual dynamo within. You will have immortal Life, infinite peace and absolute Happiness.

by Swami Sivananda

THIS IS YOGA

Yoga is an exact science. It is a perfect, practical system of self-culture. It is the discipline of the mind, senses and the physical body. It helps the student to attain perfect concentration of the mind, ethical perfection, moral excellence and spiritual calmness. It is the master-key to unlock the realms of Peace and Bliss, Mystery and Miracle.

Yoga does not consist in sitting cross-legged for six hours or stopping the beatings of the heart or getting oneself buried underneath the ground for a week or a month; these are mere physical feats. Real Yoga is the attainment of the highest divine knowledge through conscious communion with God. The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root “Yuj” which means “to join.” Yoga is the science that teaches us the method of uniting the individual soul with the Supreme Soul, of merging the individual will in the Cosmic Will.

Yoga transmutes the unregenerate nature of the student and raises him to the highest state of Divine Glory and Splendour. It bestows on you increased energy, vitality, vigour, longevity and a high standard of health. It will infuse in you a sense of security, a new strength, confidence and self-reliance. Yoga brings a message of hope to the forlorn, joy to the depressed, strength to the weak, and knowledge to the ignorant. It kills all sorts of pain, misery and tribulation.

By practice of Yoga you can turn out efficient work within a short space of time, resist temptations, remove disturbing elements from the mind and attain full success in every walk of life. Through the practice of Yoga you can control the subtle forces within the body and command nature. You can unfold all your latent faculties and develop physical, mental, supernatural and divine powers. The whole mystery of Nature will become an open book to you. You can live in the Eternal Light and Glory of God.

by Swami Sivananda

SURRENDER TO THE LORD

Bhakti is essential for everybody however strong the individual efforts may be. It is impossible to eradicate the subtle Vrittis in the mind, viz., subtle form of lust, anger, jealousy, Moha or delusion, pride, etc., without the help of Divine Grace.

Open yourself to the Divine through purity, faith, devotion, aspiration and total ungrudging self-surrender. The Divine grace will descend on you.

Approach the Lord with 'Sarva Bhava' with all your heart, mind and soul, with your whole being. Do not keep any reservation. The mind, Chitta, intellect and ego should all agree to do the surrender wholly. You will be supremely blessed. You will obtain His full grace.

Feel that the whole world is a manifestation of the Lord and you are serving the Lord in all names and forms and whatever you do, your actions and the results thereof-consecrate them to the Lord. Do this regularly after the day's work is over. Do not identify yourself with actions and thus be bound by them. Feel that you are doing your duty as a detached instrument of the Lord's benevolence. Then your heart will be purified and you will be ready to receive the Divine light and grace. Repeat the formula, "I am Thine. All is Thine. Thy Will be done."

by Swami Sivananda

THE UNIVERSAL PRAYER

O Adorable Lord of Mercy and Love! Salutations and prostrations unto Thee.

Thou art Satchidananda. Thou art Existence-Consciousness-Bliss Absolute.

Thou art Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient.

Thou art the Indweller of all beings,

Grant us an understanding heart,

Equal vision, balanced mind,

Faith, devotion and wisdom.

Grant us inner spiritual strength

To resist temptations and to control the mind.

Free us from egoism, lust, greed, hatred, anger and jealousy.

Fill our hearts with divine virtues,

Let us behold Thee in all these names and forms.

Let us serve Thee in all these names and forms.

Let us ever remember Thee.

Let us ever sing Thy glories.

Let Thy Name be ever on our lips.

Let us abide in Thee for ever and ever.

by Swami Sivananda

Sivananda Daily Readings Sunay, Nov12 '06

FREEDOM FROM ATTACHMENT

Attachment produces infatuation and causes entanglement. Fear exists on account of attachment and desire. Infatuation or delusion is a stigma on pure love. Attachment to the objects of the world is due to ignorance of their true nature. Nothing but the atman (self) really exists. Objects are illusion. Attachment is indicative of the feeling that the objective possession brings happiness. This idea has to be removed from the mind.

Happiness is not in the objects but in one's own atman. Attachment is the impure vasana (feeling) of love or hate that is entertained by the mind for the diverse objects of this world. If you remain unaffected by joy, envy and sorrow, you have relinquished all attachments. If, without rejoicing in joy, or pining under pain, you do not subject yourself to the trammels of desire, then you can be said to have rid yourself of attachment.

If you can be content with whatever you get, then you have cast off attachment. Through attachment, desire for material objects arises. Renunciation of attachment is said to be moksa (release). Through its destruction all rebirth ceases. Destroy the association of the mind with the objects and attain the state of the jivanmukta (liberated soul).

Pleasure does not lie in the objects but in the condition of the mind. The mind goes out in search of pleasure. At the same time there is pain as the mind is straying away from the truth. When the object is attained, the mind ceases to function and rests on the atman, the substratum. Then it unconsciously tastes the bliss of the Atman.

Sublimate your inward longings through discrimination, dispassion, enquiry and meditation. You will attain supreme bliss.

Develop vairagya (dispassion). Sharpen the intellect. Give up kutarka and viparita bhavana (distorted and perverted thinking). Identify yourself with the pure atman. You will soon attain knowledge of the self.

If you are careless and non-vigilant, if you are irregular in meditation, if your dispassion wanes, if you yield even a bit to sense pleasures, the mind will continue to go downward. Maya (illusion) closes in even upon a wise man if he stops his sadhana (practice) and meditation even for a short time.


Be careful. Be alert. Be regular in your meditation.......



Swami Sivananda

Thought For The Day

Philosophy and Vedanta ate both for knowing and for living. If a good thing happens and we rejoice, and its opposite happens and we are shocked, then we are not true philosophers. We have not gained any thing from knowledge. It is only when this knowledge can bring us firm unshaken equanimity, then you are more than a philosopher, you are a sthitaprajna.

Swami Chidananda.

IN THE MASTER's OWN WORDS (Taken From The Autobiography of Swami Sivananda)

I have seen God in my own Self.

I have negated name and form, and what remains is Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Absolute and nothing else.

I behold God everywhere. There is no veil.

I am One. There is no duality.

I rest in my own Self. My bliss is beyond description.

The world of dreams has gone. I alone exist.

Swami Sivananda

Delight in good.

Make up your mind to tread the spiritual path.

Be patient.

Go slowly. Go ahead. Be deliberate. Assert. Recognize.

Realise: I am the immortal Soul.

This is the discipline. This is Siva’s message.

Swami Sivananda

Who is a saint? by Swami Sivananda

He who lives in God or the Eternal, who is free from egoism, likes and dislikes, selfishness, vanity, mine-ness, lust, greed and anger, who is endowed with equal vision, balanced mind, mercy, tolerance, righteousness and cosmic love, and who has divine knowledge, is a saint.

Saints and sages are a blessing to the world at large. They are the custodians of superior divine wisdom, spiritual powers and inexhaustible spiritual wealth. Even kings bow their heads at their lotus feet. King Janaka said to Yajnavalkya, “O venerable sage! I am grateful to your exalted holiness for obtaining the ancient wisdom of the Upanishads through your lofty and sublime instructions. I offer my whole kingdom at thy feet. Further, I am thy servant. I will on thee like a servant.”

Such is the magnanimous nature of saints and sages. Their very existence inspires others and goads them to become like them and attain the same state of bliss achieved by them. Had it not been for their existence, there would not have been spiritual uplift and salvation for you all. Their glory is indescribable. Their wisdom in unfathomable. They are deep like the ocean, steady like the Himalayas, pure like the Himalayan snow, effulgent like the sun. One crosses this terrible ocean of Samsara or births and deaths through their grace and Satsang. To be in their company is the highest education. To love them is the highest happiness. To be near them is real education.

The saints wander from village to village and disseminate divine knowledge. They move from door to door and impart wisdom. They take a little for their bare maintenance and give the highest education, culture and enlightenment to the people. Their very life is exemplary. Whether they deliver lectures or not, whether they hold discourses or not, it matters little. Saints and sages only can become real advisers to the kings, because they are selfless and possess the highest wisdom. They only can improve the morality of the masses. They only can show the way to attain eternal bliss and immortality. Shivaji had Swami Ramdas as his adviser. King Dasartha had Maharshi Vasishtha as his adviser.

Study the lives of saints; you are inspired at once. Remember their sayings; you are elevated immediately. Walk in their footsteps; you are freed from pain and sorrow. There fore, the book “Lives of Saints” must be your constant companion. It must be in your pocket always. It must be underneath your pillow.

Do not superimpose defects on the saints on account of your Dosha-drishti or evil eye. You cannot judge their merits. Be humble and sit at their feet. Serve them with your heart and soul, keep them in your garden, clear your doubts. Get instructions and practise them in right earnest. You will certainly be blessed.

Every school, every college, every boarding-house, every jail, every institution, every house, should have a saint for guidance. Saints are in abundance. You do not want them. You do not wish to approach them. You do not wish to serve them. You do not aspire for higher things. You are perfectly satisfied with some broken shells and glass-pieces. There is no thirst or spiritual hunger in you for achieving higher divine knowledge and inner peace.

There is no caste among saints and sages. Do not look to their caste. You will not be benefited. You cannot imbibe their virtues. In higher religion, there is neither caste nor creed. Cobblers, weavers and untouchables had become the best saints. Wisdom and Self-realisation are not the monopoly of Brahmins alone. South Indian Brahmins pay respects and give food only to the Brahmin Dandi-Sannyasins. This is a serious mistake and a grave blunder. What a sad state! That is the reason why saints do not wish to visit South India. Punjab and Gujarat have devotion to all saints. Hence the saints move in those parts and people there derive much spiritual benefit from them.

In placing this book before the public in general, and the aspirants in the spiritual path in particular, it seems proper to write a few lines on the glory of saints, to whatever clime they may belong, have left their footprints on the sands of time, so that others, who are true and faithful, may follow their track in search of the Eternal Truth. Their lives have ever remained an inspiration to us. Their glory has ever been green in our memory. Their teachings have ever flowed with the tide of life. May they inspire us and guide us for ever!

The present work has been divided into thirteen sections. Saints do not strictly belong to any clime or country and no geographical limits can stop their influence from overflowing the boundaries. They belong to the whole world. Hence, to attach to them any provincial basis is to facilitate the easy understanding of the spiritual current started by each separately and by all conjointly for the spiritual regeneration of the land.

Man feels that he is weak and helpless. He has to counteract such evil tendencies through right exertion and through proper lead. To such persons the lives of saints serve as a guide. They mould their life, their character and their future. They change their mental outlook and convert them to the faith and teachings of their guide. Such true and reliable guides are the saints who have come and gone.

May this world be filled with good saints and sages! May you all attain the supreme goal through their Satsang and advice!! May the blessings of saints and sages be upon you all!!!

Ananda Kutir

8th January, 1947.

Bhagavad Gita–The Book of Life on 11th Nov

Several thousand years ago in north-central India, two people sat in a chariot in the midpoint of a great battlefield. One of them, the yogi Arjuna, knew that it would be not be long before the conflict would begin. So he asked Krishna, the Master of Yoga, what should be his attitude and perspective in this moment. And above all: What should he do?

There was no time to spare in empty words. In a brief discourse, later turned into seven hundred Sanskrit verses by the sage Vyasa, Krishna outlined to Arjuna the way to live an entire life so as to gain perfect self-knowledge and self-mastery.

The battle was ferocious and–as always with war–everyone lost. But when Vyasa wrote his epic poem, the Mahabharata, he put Krishna’s inspired words into it as a precious jewel. Instantly they were extracted, named The Song of God (Bhagavad Gita), and circulated throughout the subcontinent.

That was several thousand years ago, and today the Gita is found in every household in India and has been translated into every major language of the world. Literally billions of copies have been handwritten and printed. (A few years ago a spiritual organization in South Africa printed one million copies for free distribution!)

What is the appeal of the Gita? First of all, it is totally practical, free of any vague or abstract philosophy. During my first trip to India over forty years ago, I heard about a yogi who lived in a small houseboat on the Ganges river in the holy city of Benares (Varanasi). He never spoke or wrote; yet every day for many years people came to him for advice. How did he manage? He had a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, and after he was told the problem or question he would open the book and point to a portion. And the inquirer would have a perfect and complete solution to the trouble.

My own spiritual awakening began by kicking me out of the nest of comfortable religion into a vast world of realities I had no idea how to cope with. I floundered around in the sea of my new horizons until one day I bought a paperback edition of the Bhagavad Gita. I did not read it, I inhaled it. I was not reading the words of a long-dead teacher: my own Self was talking to me in the pages of that little book. Nor did I learn anything from the Gita–I remembered that which I had always known. Eternal Self spoke Eternal Truth. The Bhagavad Gita changed my life by giving me Life. Life that has never ended.

Nothing has ever arisen in my life, internal or external, that the Gita has not made clear and enabled me to deal with or understand. Yet is it not dogmatic. At the very end Krishna says to Arjuna: “Now I have taught you that wisdom which is the secret of secrets. Ponder it carefully. Then act as you think best.” No threats, no promises, no coercion. It is all in the reader’s hands. Even better: the Bhagavad Gita tells us that we can attain a Knowing beyond even what it tells us. And it shows us the way.

20 very important spiritual instructions

These twenty instructions contain the very essence of all Yoga Sadhana, Karma, Bhakti, Jnana and Yoga will all come to one who follows them whole-heartedly. They are the unfailing keys to quick and effective development and culture of the physical, mental, moral and spiritual self of man.

1. BRAHMAMUHURTA

Get up at 4 a.m. daily. This is Brahmamuhurta which is extremely favourable for Sadhana. Do all your morning spiritual Sadhana during this period from 4 a.m. to 6:30 or 7 a.m. Such Sadhana gives quick and maximum progress.

2. ASANA

Sit on Padmasana (lotus pose), Siddhasana (adept's pose) or Sukhasana (any pose you like) for your Japa and meditation for half an hour, facing east or north. Increase the period gradually to three hours. Practice Sirshasana (headstand) and Sarvangasana (shoulderstand) for maintenance of health and Brahmacharya. Take light physical exercises as walking, etc., regularly. Do twenty rounds of easy, comfortable Pranayama (breathing exercises). Do not strain yourself while doing Pranayama.

3. JAPA

You can repeat any Mantra (sacred syllable), such as pure Om or Om Namo Narayanaya, Sri Ram, Sita Ram, Sri Ram Jaya Ram Jaya Jaya Ram, Om Namah Sivaya, Om Namo Bhagavate Vasudevaya, Om Saravanabhavaya Namah, Hari Om, or Gayatri (a sacred Vedic Mantra), according to your taste or inclination, from 108 times to 21,600 times daily. Devotees of Christ may repeat the name Jesus or Hail Mary, Mother of Jesus. Parsis, Sikhs and Muslims may select a name or Mantra from the Zend Avesta, Granth Sahib or Koran respectively.

4. DIETETIC DISCIPLINE

Take Sattvic food. Give up chillies, tamarind, garlic, onion, sour articles, oil, mustard, asafoetida. Observe moderation in diet (Mitahara). Do not overload the stomach. Give up those things which the mind likes best for a fortnight once or twice in a year. Eat simple simple food. Milk and fruits help concentration. Take food as medicine to keep the life going. Eating for enjoyment is a sin. Give up salt and sugar for a week or a fortnight. You must be able to live on rice, dhal and bread without any pickle. Do not ask for extra salt for dhal, and sugar for tea, coffee and milk. People taking non-vegetaraian diet should try their best to gradually give up flesh-eating as completely as possible. They will be immensely benefited.

5. MEDITATION

Have a separate meditation room under lock and key. If this is not possible then a corner of the room should be set apart with a small cloth screen or curtain drawn across. Keep the room spotlessly clean.

6. SVADHYAYA

Study systematically the Gita, Ramayana, Bhagavatam, Vishnu-Sahasranama, Lalita-Sahasranama, Adityahridaya, Upanishads, Yoga Vasishta, Bible, Imitation of Christ, Zend Avesta, Quran, the Tripitakas, the Granth Sahib and other religious books from half an hour to one hour daily, and have Suddha Vichara (pure thoughts).

7. ELEVATE THE MIND

Get by heart some prayer - Slokas (prayer verses), Stotras (hymns) and repeat them as soon as you sit in the Asana before starting Japa or meditation. This will elevate the mind quickly.

8. BRAHMACHARYA

Preserve the vital force (Veerya (seminal energy)) very, very carefully. Veerya is God in motion or manifestation (Vibhuti). Veerya is all power. Veerya is all money. Veerya is the essence of life, thought and intelligence. This instruction is not for bachelors only. Householders also must follow it as far as possible. They must be extremely moderate in their marital connections with their spouse. This is very important.

9. CHARITY

Do charity regularly, every month, or even daily according to your means. Never fail in this item. If necessary forego some personal wants but keep up this charity regularly.

10. HAVE SATSANG

Give up bad company, smoking, meat and alcoholic liquors entirely. Have constant Satsang (association with holy people). Do not develop any evil habits. Deliberately exert to develop positive virtuous qualities.

11. FAST

Fast on Ekadasi (11th day of the Hindu lunar fortnight) or live on milk and fruits only. Christians must fast on alternate Sundays, Muslims on alternate Fridays, and Parsis on a suitable day every fortnight.

12. JAPA MALA

Have a Japa Mala (rosary) around your neck or in your pocket or underneath your pillow at night. This will remind you of God. Twirl the beads during your leisure. You should repeat the Name at all times, whatever task you may be engaged in.

13. OBSERVE MOUNA

Observe Mouna (vow of silence) for a couple of hours daily. Do not make gestures and inarticulate noises during the period of silence.

14. DISCIPLINE OF SPEECH

Speak the truth at all cost. Speak a little. Speak sweetly. Always utter encouraging words. Never condemn, criticize or discourage. Do not raise your voice and shout at little children or subordinates.

15. BE CONTENT

Reduce your wants. If you have four shirts, reduce the number to three or two. Lead a happy, contented life. Avoid unnecessary worry. Be mentally detached. Have plain living and high thinking. Think of those who do not possess even one-tenth of what you have. Share with others.

16. PRACTICE LOVE

Never hurt anybody. Ahimsa Paramo Dharmah (Non-injury is the highest virtue). Control anger by love, Kshama (forgiveness) and Daya (compassion). Serve the sick and the poor with love and affection. This is service of God.

17. BE SELF RELIANT

Do not depend upon servants. Self-reliance is the highest of all virtues.

18. HAVE SELF-ANALYSIS

Think of the mistakes you have committed during the course of the day, just before retiring to bed (self-analysis). Keep a daily spiritual diary and self-correction register as Benjamin Franklin did. Maintain a daily routine and resolve-form. Do not brood over past mistakes.

19. DO YOUR DUTY

Remember that death is awaiting you at every moment. Never fail to fulfil your duties. Have pure conduct (Sadachara).

20. REMEMBER GOD

Think of God as soon as you wake up and just before you go to sleep, and at all other times whether engaged in any work or not. Repeat His Name always. Surrender yourself completely to God (Saranagati).

This is the essence of all spiritual Sadhana. It will lead you to liberation. All these spiritual canons must be rigidly observed. You must not give any leniency to the mind.

Swami Sivananda Saraswati