The esoteric 'GAYATHRI MANTHRA' for 'Self-Realization', Liberation-in-life, and 'Sahaja-Samadhi'. AUM bhUH, AUM bhuvaH, AUM svaH, AUM mahaH AUM janaH, AUM tapaH, AUM satyam AUM tatsaviturvarenyM bhargo devasya dhImahi dhIyo yo nH prachodayAt.h. AUM Apo jyotiH rasomRRitaM brahma bhUR bhuvaH svar AUM..

Gayatri Mantra - Means that 'Manthra' which liberates those who recite.


The complete form of the Gayatri Mantra contains an invocation to the seven spheres, followed by the traditional 24-syllable mantra that is most commonly chanted. The final part of the mantra is an invocation to the Goddess of light to illuminate our path as we move towards higher consciousness.

'Gayatri mantra' in sanskrit.


AUM bhUH, AUM bhuvaH, AUM svaH, AUM mahaH
AUM janaH, AUM tapaH, AUM satyam
AUM tatsaviturvarenyM bhargo devasya dhImahi
dhIyo yo nH prachodayAt.h.
AUM Apo jyotiH rasomRRitaM
brahma bhUR bhuvaH svar AUM..
 

AUM, the primordial sound, resides in all elements of the universe. It permeates the earth (-bhUH), water (-bhuvaH), fire (-svaH), air (-mahaH), ether (-janaH), intelligence (-tapaH) and consciousness (-satyam). We pay homage to Gayatri, the one who shines like the sun (tat savitur), the one who destroys all our sins through her everlasting and effulgent light. Dear Goddess Gayatri, please illuminate our path towards our higher consciousness and lead us to our true purpose in life. Please shine your light (-jyotiH) in our path so we may partake of the everlasting nectar (rasomRRitaM) of brahman while chanting the primordial sound, AUM!

Friends!
This 'Gayathri' manthra exhorts us, to pay our attention to that self-effulgent, ever shining 'SUN' of pure consciousness ( TURIYA- the fourth state of consciousness ), which otherwise illuminates the other three states of consciousness ( wakeful, dream and deep sleep ); for 'Self-Realization', 'Liberation-in-life', and 'Sahaja-Samadhi'.

~SWAATHMAARAAMAN

The 'Dhammapada'- More than those who hate you, more than all your enemies, an untrained mind does greater harm. More than your mother, more than your father, more than all your family, a well-trained mind does greater good.

The 'Dhammapada'

The Blessing of a Well-Trained Mind

As an archer aims his arrow, the wise aim their restless thoughts, hard to aim, hard to restrain.

As a fish hooked and left on the sand thrashes about in agony, the mind being trained in meditation trembles all over, desperate to escape the hand of Mara.

Hard it is to train the mind, which goes where it likes and does what it wants. But a trained mind brings health and happiness. The wise can direct their thoughts, subtle and elusive, wherever they choose: a trained mind brings health and happiness.

Those who can direct thoughts, which are unsubstantial and wander so aimlessly, are freed from the bonds of Mara.

They are not wise whose thoughts are not steady and minds not serene, who do not know dharma, the law of life. They are wise whose thoughts are steady and minds serene, unaffected by good and bad. They are awake and free from fear.

Remember, this body is like a fragile clay pot. Make your mind a fortress and conquer Mara with the weapon of wisdom. Guard your conquest always.

Remember that this body will soon lie in the earth without life, without value, useless as a burned log.

More than those who hate you, more than all your enemies, an untrained mind does greater harm. More than your mother, more than your father, more than all your family, a well-trained mind does greater good.

Translated by Eknath Easwaran

'VIVEKACHOODAMANI'-Everything in the universe is a superimposition on Brahman by ignorance and has no reality, like the snake superimposed on a rope.

*POINTS TO PONDER*

The mahavakya “That thou art”

In the sentence ‘tat tvam asi’ the primary meaning of the word ‘tat’ is Brahman as qualified by the functions of creation, sustenance and dissolution of the universe, that is, Isvara. The primary meaning of the word ‘tvam’ is the jiva as qualified by the states of waking, dream and deep sleep. The qualities of Isvara and jiva are totally contradictory, like those of the sun and the glow-worm, or the king and a servant, or the ocean and a well, or the earth and an atom. Isvara is omniscient and omnipotent while the jiva’s knowledge and power are limited. The identity affirmed by the mahavakya cannot obviously be between Isvara and jiva which are the primary meanings of the words. Therefore the implied meanings of the two words have to be taken. The contradiction between the primary meanings of the two words is due to the limiting adjuncts which are not real. Maya is the limiting adjunct (upadhi) of Isvara, while the upadhi of the jiva is the five sheaths. When these limiting adjuncts are negated, there is neither Isvara nor jiva. The kingdom is the symbol of the king and the shield is the symbol of the warrior. When these are removed there is neither king nor warrior. The sruti negates the duality imagined in Brahman. The negation of the limiting adjuncts is to be effected by reasoning supported by sruti. Everything in the universe is a superimposition on Brahman by ignorance and has no reality, like the snake superimposed on a rope. The entire universe must therefore be rejected as unreal. Then what remains is only Brahman . Thus both Isvara and jiva are found to be only Brahman when the unreal upadhis are rejected.

VIVEKACHOODAMANI

*POINTS TO PONDER*- One wants to rid oneself of misery. It requires peace of mind, which means absence of perturbation owing to all kinds of thoughts. Peace of mind is brought about by dhyana alone.~RAMANA MAHARSHI

BHAGAVAN ON PRACTICE

Q: How do I meditate?
A: Concentrate on that one whom you like best. If a single thought prevails, all other thoughts are put off and finally eradicated. So long as diversity prevails there are bad thoughts. When the object of love prevails only good thoughts hold the field. Therefore hold on to one thought only. Dhyana is the chief practice.

Dhyana means fight. As soon as you begin meditation other thoughts will crowd together, gather force and try to sink the single thought to which you try to hold. The good thought must gradually gain strength by repeated practice. After it has grown strong the other thoughts will be put to flight. This is the battle royal always taking place in meditation.

One wants to rid oneself of misery. It requires peace of mind, which means absence of perturbation owing to all kinds of thoughts. Peace of mind is brought about by dhyana alone.

~RAMANA MAHARSHI

*Glimpses of Self-Realization*- The reflection on the Self which is thus practiced constantly will destroy the mind, and thereafter will destroy itself like the stick that is used to kindle the cinders burning a corpse. It is this state that is called release.`RAMANA MAHARSHI`

 VICHARASANGRAHAM - SELF-ENQUIRY (extracts)

D: By practicing the disciplines taught above, one may get rid of the obstacles that are in the mind, viz. ignorance, doubt, error, etc., and thereby attain quiescence of mind. Yet, there is one last doubt. After the mind has been resolved in the heart, there is only consciousness shining as the plenary reality. When thus the mind has assumed the form of the Self, who is there to enquire? Such enquiry would result in self-worship. It would be like the story of the shepherd searching for the sheep that was all the time on his shoulders!

M: The jiva itself is Shiva; Shiva Himself is the jiva. It is true that the jiva is no other than Shiva. When the grain is hidden inside the husk, it is called paddy; when it is de-husked, it is called rice. Similarly, so long as one is bound by karma one remains a jiva; when the bond of ignorance is broken, one shines as Shiva, the Deity. Thus declares a scriptural text.

Accordingly, the jiva which is mind is in reality the pure Self; but, forgetting this truth, it imagines itself to be an individual soul and gets bound in the shape of mind. So its search for the Self, which is itself, is like the search for the sheep by the shepherd.

But still, the jiva which has forgotten its self will not become the Self through mere mediate knowledge. By the impediment caused by the residual impressions gathered in previous births, the jiva forgets again and again its identity with the Self, and gets deceived, identifying itself with the body, etc. Will a person become a high officer by merely looking at him? Is it not by steady effort in that direction that he could become a highly placed officer? Similarly, the jiva, which is in bondage through mental identification with the body, etc., should put forth effort in the form of reflection on the Self, in a gradual and sustained manner; and when thus the mind gets destroyed, the jiva would become the Self.
The reflection on the Self which is thus practiced constantly will destroy the mind, and thereafter will destroy itself like the stick that is used to kindle the cinders burning a corpse. It is this state that is called release.

`RAMANA MAHARSHI`

*POINTS TO PONDER*- "BE 'IN' THE WORLD; BUT NOT 'OF' THE WORLD"- SRI RAMA KRISHNA PARAMAHAMSA

A boat may stay in water, but water should not stay in boat. A spiritual aspirant may live in the world, but the world should not live within him. 

 

 

SRI RAMA KRISHNA PARAMAHAMSA

'MY SILENCE SINGS, MY EMPTINESS IS FULL' ~ NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ

Here the questions are from the 'DEHOHAM' (I am the body) plane and the answers are from the 'BRAHMOHAM' (I am pure consciousness) plane.
`SWAATHMAARAAMAN

MY SILENCE SINGS, MY EMPTINESS IS FULL

Q: The very fact of your experiencing your own world implies duality inherent in all experience.
M: Verbally -- yes. But your words do not reach me. Mine is a non-verbal world. In your world the unspoken has no existence. In mine -- the words and their contents have no being. In your world nothing stays, in mine -- nothing changes. My world is real, while yours is made of dreams.

Q: Yet we are talking.
M: The talk is in your world. In mine -- there is eternal silence. My silence sings, my emptiness is full, I lack nothing. You cannot know my world until you are there.

Q: It seems as if you alone are in your world.
M: How can you say alone or not alone, when words do not apply? Of course, I am alone for I am all.

I AM THAT no 23

~ NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ

*WORDS OF WISDOM*- ~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

'AWARENESS' is 'BRAHMAN'- 'TRUTH' - 'BEING' - 'EXISTENCE' - 'CONSCIOUSNESS' and 'BLISS'. And "THOU ART THAT".
~Swaathmaaraaman

 

 

"You are awareness". "Awareness is another name for you".

~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

*POINTS TO PONDER*- 'SELF-REMEMBRANCE'- In the middle of the heart-cave is the pure Brahman directly manifest as the Self in the form of ‘I-I’. ~RAMANA MAHARSHI

'SELF-REMEMBRANCE'

Remembering the Self, one’s real nature, without faltering even slightly, is the eminent victory of true jnana.

With your consciousness hold fast to and never abandon the substratum, your real nature, the Supreme that can neither be held nor relinquished.

Is the Self something far away that you have to touch? The higher Self exists as one but it is only your thoughts that make you feel it is not.
You can neither think about it nor forget it.

Other than the thought of the Self, any other thought you ay associate with, is a mere mental construct, foreign to that Self.

Thinking of the Self is to abide as that tranquil consciousness. Padam, the true swarupa, can neither be remembered nor forgotten.

The Self is self-luminous without darkness and light, and is the reality which is self-manifest. Therefore, one should not think of it as this or that.
All such thoughts would only end in bondage. The purport of meditation on the Self is to make the mind take the ‘form’ of the Self. In the middle of the heart-cave is the pure Brahman directly manifest as the Self in the form of ‘I-I’. Can there be greater ignorance than to think of It in manifold ways, without knowing it as aforementioned?

~RAMANA MAHARSHI

MEDITATION WITH 'FORMS' AND 'CONSCIOUS MERGING'- ~RAMANA MAHARSHI- . The consciousness is beyond relative consciousness or unconsciousness.

MEDITATION WITH 'FORMS' AND 'CONSCIOUS MERGING'

We have become rooted in forms and so we require a concrete form for meditating upon. Only that which we contemplate will in the end remain over. When you contemplate the other thoughts disappear. So long as you need to contemplate there are other thoughts, Where are you? You contemplate because you exist. For the contemplator must contemplate. The contemplation can only be where he is. Contemplation wards off all other thoughts. You should merge yourself in the source. At times we merge in the source unconsciously, as in sleep, death, swoon, etc. What is contemplation? It is merging into the source consciously. Then the fear of death, of swoon, etc. will disappear, because you are able to merge into the source consciously.
Why fear death? Death cannot mean non-being. Why do you love sleep, but not death? Do you not think now? Are you not existing now? Did you not exist in your sleep? Even a child says that it slept well and happily. It admits its existence in sleep, unconsciously though. So, consciousness is our true nature. We cannot remain unconscious. We however say that we were unconscious in our sleep because we refer to qualified consciousness. The world, the body, etc., are so embedded in us that this relative consciousness is taken to be the Self. Does anyone say in his sleep that he is unconscious? He says so now. This is the state of relative consciousness. Therefore he speaks of relative consciousness and not of abstract consciousness. The consciousness is beyond relative consciousness or unconsciousness.

~RAMANA MAHARSHI

*WORDS OF WISDOM*-~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

Distracted as we are by various thoughts, if we would continuously contemplate the Self, which is Itself God, this single thought would in due course replace all distraction and would itself ultimately vanish; the pure Consciousness that alone finally remains is God. This is Liberation.

~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

*WORDS OF WISDOM*- ~ Ramana Maharshi

All knowledge is meant only to lead the person to the realization of the Self. The scriptures or religions are well-known to be for that purpose. What do they all mean? Leave alone what they say of the past or of the future; for it is only speculative. But the present existence is within the experience of all. Realise the pure Being. There is an end to all discourses and disputes.

~ Ramana Maharshi

The Self is ever-present. ~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

 

*WORDS OF WISDOM*- ~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

Till you reach the state of jnana and thus wake out of maya you must do social service by relieving suffering whenever you see it. But even then you must do it without ahankara, i.e., without the sense of 'I am the doer', but with the feeling 'I am the Lord’s tool'.

~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

*POINTS TO PONDER*- ~RAMANA MAHARSHI

'ATTAINMENT' (Arudha)

1. What is the state of attainment of knowledge?

It is firm and effortless abidance in the Self in which the mind which has become one with the Self does not subsequently emerge again at any time. Everyone, when he thinks of his body, usually and naturally has the idea, ‘I am not a goat or a cow, or any other animal, but a human being’. Similarly, when he naturally has the 'Self-awareness', ‘I am not the tattvas, beginning with the body and ending with nada [sound] but the Self which is existence-consciousness-bliss’, this is said to be the attainment of firm knowledge.

~RAMANA MAHARSHI

*WORDS OF WISDOM*- There is no world apart from the 'SELF' ( TRUTH-BEING-EXISTENCE-CONSCIOUSNESS and BLISS)- no 'SEEN' apart from the 'SEER'- The 'SEER' is the'SEEN'. SWAATHMAARAAMAN

The cosmos springs into view simultaneously with the seer. There is no creation by stages or steps.

~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

'NAN YAR' or 'WHO AM I'?- ~RAMANA MAHARSHI

Question: What is the path of inquiry for understanding the nature of the mind?

That which arises in the physical body as 'I' is the mind. If one enquires, 'In what place in the body does this ''I'' first arise?' it will be known to be in the hridayam. That is the birthplace of the mind. Even if one incessantly thinks 'I, I', it will lead to that place. Of all thoughts that arise in the mind, the thought 'I' is the first one. It is only after the rise of this [thought] that other thoughts arise. It is only after the first personal pronoun arises that the second and third personal pronouns appear. Without the first person, the second and third persons cannot exist.

Hridayam is usually translated as 'Heart', but it has no connection with the physical heart. Bhagavan used it as a synonym for the Self, pointing out on several occasions that it could be split up into two parts, hrit and ayam, which together mean, 'this is the centre'. Sometimes he would say that the 'I'-thought arises from the hridayam and eventually subsides there again. He would also sometimes indicate that the spiritual Heart was inside the body on the right aside of the chest, but he would often qualify this by saying that this was only true from the standpoint of those who identified themselves with a body. For a jnani, one who has realised the Self, the hridayam or Heart is not located anywhere, or even everywhere, because it is beyond all spatial concepts.

~RAMANA MAHARSHI

*WORDS OF WISDOM*-~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

The sage does not 'know' the 'Self', because he is the 'Self'.

~ Sri Ramana Maharshi

*POINTS TO PONDER*- 'NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ'

Whatever is created is created by the knowledge ‘I am’. Do not pursue this path of running after experiences. Your own Consciousness creates everything. All greatness is because of the 'I am’. There is no other path, only this conviction. This is it! The name and body arise from the ‘I am’.

NISARGADATTA MAHARAJ

'ESSENCE OF SPIRITUALITY'- By H.H Sri 'Swami Sivanandaji'

*Glimpses of Self-Realization*
************************
ESSENCE OF SPIRITUALITY
***************************
By H.H Sri 'Swami Sivanandaji'
****************************
20 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
favorable 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
S ukhasana (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-vegetarian 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', 'YogaVasishta', '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 forgo 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 (Noninjury 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. Within you is the Immortal soul, Within you is the fountain of joy and happiness,
So our high always in realms of spiritual knowledge and realize the goal of life.- Swami Sivananda

'SADHANA TATTVA' OR THE SCIENCE OF SEVEN CULTURES for Quick Evolution of the Human Being
************************************************************************************************************
INTRODUCTION

(a) An ounce of practice is better than tons of theory. Practice Yoga, Religion and Philosophy in daily life and attain Self-realization.

(b)These thirty-two instructions give the essence of the Eternal Religion (Sanatana Dharma) in its purest form. They
are suitable for modern busy householders with fixed hours of work. Modify them to suit your convenience and increase the period gradually.
(c) In the beginning take only a few practicable resolves which form a small but definite advance over your present
habits and character. In case of ill -health, pressure of work or unavoidable engagements replace your active
Sadhana (spiritual practice) by frequent remembrance of God.

'HEALTH CULTURE'

1. Eat moderately. Take light and simple food. Offer it to God before you eat. Have a balanced diet.

2. Avoid spicy and hot foods, like chilies, garlic, onions, tamarind, etc., as far as possible. Give up tea, coffee, smoking, betel, meat and wine entirely.

3. Fast on Ekadasi days or once in a fortnight. Take milk, fruits or roots only.

4. Practice Yoga Asana (Hatha Yoga exercises) or physical exercises for 15 to 30 minutes every day. Take a long walk or play some vigorous games daily.

'ENERGY CULTURE'

5. Observe silence (Mouna) for 2 hours daily and 4 to 8 hours on Sundays.
6. Observe celibacy according to your age and circumstances. Restrict the indulgence to once a month. Decrease it gradually to once a year. Finally take a vow of abstinence for whole life.

'ETHICAL CULTURE'

7. Speak the TRUTH. Speak little. Speak kindly. Speak sweetly.

8. Do not injure anyone in thought, word or deed. Be kind to all.

9. Be sincere, straightforward and open-hearted in your talks and dealings.

10. Be honest. Earn by the sweat of your brow. Do not accept any money, things or favor unless earned lawfully. Develop nobility and integrity.

11. Control fits of anger by serenity, patience, love, mercy and tolerance. Forget and forgive. Adapt yourself to men and events.

'WILL CULTURE'

12. Live without sugar for a week or month. Give up salt on Sundays.

13. Give up cards, novels, cinemas and clubs. Fly from evil company. Avoid discussions with materialists. Do not mix with persons who have no faith in God or who criticize your Sadhana (spiritual practices).

14. Curtail your wants. Reduce your possessions. Have plain living and high thinking.

'HEART CULTURE'

15. Doing good to others is the highest religion. Do some selfless service for afew hours every week, without egoism or expectation of reward. Do your worldly duties in the same spirit. Work is worship. Dedicate it to God.

16. Give 2 to 10 percent of your income in charity every month. Share what you have with others. Let the world be your family. Remove selfishness.

17. Be humble and prostrate yourself to all beings mentally. Feel the Divine Presence everywhere. Give up vanity, pride and hypocrisy.

18. Have unwavering faith in God, the Bhagavad-Gita and your Guru. Make a total self-surrender to God and pray: "Thy Will be done; I want nothing."Submit to the Divine Will in all events and happenings with equanimity.

19. See God in all beings and love them as your own Self. Do not hate anyone.

20. Remember God at all times or, at least, on rising from bed, during a pause in work and before going to bed. Keep a Mala (rosary) in your pocket.

'PSYCHIC CULTURE'

21. Study one chapter or ten to twenty-five verses of the Gita or your scriptures with meaning, daily. Learn the original language of your scripture, at least sufficient to understand it in original.

22. Memorize important and inspiring portions of your sacred scripture according to your capacity. Memorize also any inspiring quotations from other spiritual books. Keep a pocket version your scripture with you at all times.

23. Read the Ramayana,the Bible, the Quran, the Bhagavata, the
Upanishads, the Yogavasishtha or other religious books daily without fail.

Study more during holidays.

24. Attend religious meetings and seek Satsanga (company) with saints at every opportunity. If not, create opportunities. Listen to spiritual discourses from learned and holy people. If possible, organize such functions on Sundays or holidays.

25. Visit a temple or place of worship daily. Preferably before you leave and upon your return from work, even if only for 5 or 10 minutes.

26. Spend holidays and leave-periods, when possible, in the company ofsaints or practice Sadhana at holy places in
seclusion.

'SPIRITUAL CULTURE'

27. Go to bed early. Get up at four o'clock. Answer calls of nature, clean your mouth and take a bath.

28. Recite some prayers and Kirtan Dhvanis (devotional songs). Practice Pranayama (breathing exercises), Japa (repetition of the Divine Name of God) and meditation in the early morning. Sit on Padma, Siddha, or Sukha Asana throughout, without movement, by gradual practice. While you meditate, forget the outside world totally. Gradually increase the period of meditation.

29.
Perform the daily prayers of your religion. Do not fail to fulfill your
obligatory duties.

30. Write your favorite Mantra or Name of God in a notebook for ten to thirty minutes, daily.
31. Sing the Names of God (Kirtan) and pray for half to one hour at night with family and friends.
32. Make annual resolves on the above lines. Regularity, tenacity and fixity are essential. Record your Sadhana in a spiritual diary daily. Review it every month and correct your failures.